Unveiled: GovCon Stories

• Navigating Innovation Through Bureaucracy

  In this episode of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, we explore what happens when innovation meets bureaucracy in government contracting. Dean Niedosik shares how his team developed a promising cyber/AI product—only to have progress stalled by the pandemic and ultimately shut down by corporate decision-making. He reflects on navigating leadership hurdles, the shift to small business agility, and the balance between structure and creativity. It’s a candid look at resilience, pivoting under pressure, and rethinking innovation in federal markets.Dean Niedosik is the Director of Growth at HumanTouch (HT), with over 20 years of experience in strategic innovation, tech sales, and systems integration across the public and private sectors. He leads business development, capture, and marketing to drive federal sector growth through data management and AI/NLP solutions. His career includes building the Red Bull brand, launching Alcatel Mobile’s IP products, and leading strategic innovation at Booz Allen. Dean also co-chairs AFCEA’s International Small Business Committee and Innovation Roundtable, championing small business success in government markets.Call(s) to Action:Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-storiesDo you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.Links:HumanTouch: https://www.humantouchllc.com/ Case Studies & Insights: https://www.humantouchllc.com/blog HumanTouch Capability Statement HumanTouch SolutionsSponsors:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.Withum – Diamond Sponsor!Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Messy Market, Magic Moves

  We’re in a season of disruption—political shifts, evolving policies, contracting delays, and social tensions are impacting how business gets done, especially in the federal space. If you’re a small business owner or leader trying to make sense of how to stay relevant—or just stay open—you’re not alone.In this episode, we’re unpacking how to navigate the high-stakes environment of public sector contracting when the rules seem to keep changing. We’ll explore how policy, politics, and procurement slowdowns intersect with real-world business survival.Then, we’ll shift gears and talk about tangible strategies to pivot smartly—without losing your footing. Whether you're repositioning your offers, realigning with a new customer, or expanding to commercial markets, this conversation is your guide to pivoting with power, not panic.Guest Bio:Shaun Edens founded Lucky Rabbit in 2020 and has since led its growth into a trusted digital modernization partner for agencies like USCIS, OPM, CMS, GSA, and ED, as well as commercial clients like CrabPlace.com. With a background in senior roles at firms including CTEC, TechFlow, Enlightened, and Booz Allen Hamilton, he brings deep expertise in agile transformation, cloud migration, DevSecOps, and enterprise architecture.Shaun holds an MBA from the University of Illinois and a B.S. in Computer Science from Morehouse College. He’s certified in SAFe, Scrum, Product Ownership, and AWS, and skilled in tools like ReactJS, Go, Python, and CI/CD pipelines. Focused on innovation and transparency, Shaun continues to lead Lucky Rabbit in delivering human-centered, secure digital solutions that drive real impact.Call(s) to Action:Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-storiesDo you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.Links:Lucky RabbitLucky Rabbit BlueTechFollow Lucky Rabbit on LinkedInSponsors:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.Withum – Diamond Sponsor!Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Lessons from the Trenches - Our First Major GovCon Loss

  Bidding on government contracts is tough—especially for small businesses facing limited past performance and resource constraints. A loss can be discouraging, but it can also be a catalyst for growth.In this episode of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, PBG Consulting’s President & CEO Pawla Ghaleb and People & Culture Lead Irina Batchelor share how a major GovCon loss reshaped their strategy. They discuss the challenges, lessons learned, and key adjustments that strengthened their future proposals.This candid conversation goes beyond the success stories, offering real insights on resilience, strategy, and innovation in government contracting. Tune in to learn how setbacks can become stepping stones to GovCon success.Guest Bio:Pawla Ghaleb, CEO of PBG Consulting, is a trailblazing leader with over 20 years in IT solutions, strategic consulting, and program management. Under her leadership, PBG has earned accolades like The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces and the Department of State’s Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year. A multilingual leader from Lebanon, she champions diversity and innovation, driving PBG’s growth in the federal space.Guided by her mantra, “Doing more with less,” Pawla delivers cutting-edge solutions to agencies like State, HHS, and OPM. A mentor and industry influencer, her leadership has earned awards such as the G2X FedCiv Leading for Impact Award and Diversity Journal’s Women Worth Watching. With an MBA from George Washington University and completion of Harvard Business School’s OPM Program, she continues to shape the future of GovCon.Call(s) to Action:Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-storiesDo you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.Links:PBG: https://pbgconsult.com/ The PBG Gov Blog: https://pbgconsult.com/blog/ Sponsors:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.Withum – Diamond Sponsor!Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:00:44
• When Politics Disrupt Business: Surviving GovCon in an Unstable Government

  Government contracting is always unpredictable, but in today’s political climate, it feels downright chaotic. Shutdown threats, shifting acquisition priorities, and evolving small business policies create a turbulent landscape for small GovCon firms. In this episode of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, we break down how political uncertainty is impacting contract opportunities, funding reliability, and long-term planning. From budget battles and leadership changes to policy shifts affecting small business set-asides, we examine the risks GovCon firms face and strategies to stay resilient. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, you’re not alone—let’s talk about it.Call(s) to Action:Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-storiesDo you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.Links:Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – Reports on government spending, budget delays, and economic projectionsU.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Updates on small business set-aside programs, compliance changes, and GovCon resourcesFederal News Network – Insights on acquisition policy changes and political shifts impacting federal contractorsCongress.gov – Follow federal legislation affecting GovCon firms, including budget resolutions and procurement policiesSponsors:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.Withum – Diamond Sponsor!Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  34:13
• Cash Flow Keys for GovCon Growth

  As we wrap up the fall season of Unveiled: GovCon Stories, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges for small businesses in government contracting (GovCon): access to funding. This season finale explores how alternative lending solutions help businesses overcome cash flow hurdles and seize new opportunities.We’re joined by Teresa Moon, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Parabilis and host of Spilling the Tea on GovCon. With her extensive experience in business development and relationship building, Teresa shares practical insights into bridging financial gaps in GovCon.This episode covers:How alternative funding differs from traditional financing.Key factors for evaluating funding options.Common mistakes in seeking funding and how to avoid them.Lessons and success stories from helping contractors thrive.Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation! Guest Bio:Teresa Moon, Director of Market Strategy at Parabilis and host of Spilling the Tea on GovCon, leverages her expertise in government procurement to drive communication strategies and expand Parabilis’ impact in the federal contracting community.Focused on fostering strategic collaborations, Teresa has built a growing network of resources to empower businesses in achieving their goals. Known for her integrity and commitment, she cultivates lasting relationships that deliver meaningful results.Call(s) to Action:Help spread the word about Unveiled: GovCon Stories: https://shows.acast.com/unveiled-govcon-storiesDo you want to be a guest or recommend a topic that you would like to learn or hear about on the podcast? Let us know through our guest feedback and registration form.Links:Parablis – Innovations in Business Finance: https://parabilis.com/ Spilling the Tea Podcast - https://parabilis.com/spilling-the-tea/ Latest GovCon Insights: https://parabilis.com/insights/ Sponsors:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests, and do not reflect the views or endorsements of our sponsors.Withum – Diamond Sponsor!Withum is a forward-thinking, technology-driven advisory and accounting firm, helping clients to be in a position of strength in today’s complex business environment. Go to Withum’s website to learn more about how they can help your business! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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