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GovClose | Start Winning Government Contracts

GovClose | Start Winning Government Contracts

By: Richard C. Howard
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The single biggest purchaser of goods and services in the world is the US government. Learn the step by step process of winning government contracts from former procurement officer Lt Col (ret) Richard C. Howard. We cover: sam.gov, Other Transaction Authority (OTA), GSA, government contracting leads, small business, subcontracts, GWACS, sole source contracts, federal certifications including: 8(a), SDVOSB The GovClose Training Program: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification Get the Government Contract Planner Free at: https://www.dodcontract.com Hire An Expert: https://govclose.comRichard C. Howard Economics
Episodes
  • Death of The Middleman: GSA Just Made It's Move
    Jun 16 2025

    GSA just changed the game. On May 28th, a letter went out to major value-added resellers—and it wasn’t good news for the middlemen.

    The government is moving toward direct deals with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and that means major changes are coming for federal sales.Train with UsLearn how to shape deals, work directly with federal agencies, and master category-driven acquisition.👉 https://www.govclose.comIn this video, I break down:⏱ Timestamps00:00 – GSA’s New Strategy: Middlemen Under Fire01:00 – What is a VAR (Value-Added Reseller) vs. a Pretender?02:30 – GSA’s Push for Direct OEM Relationships04:00 – The Irony: Is GSA the Biggest Middleman?05:00 – What GSA Is (and Isn’t) Doing with Centralized Procurement06:30 – Implications for Sales Executives, Consultants, and OEMs08:00 – What You Should Be Doing Right NowKey Takeaways:GSA wants to cap markups and increase pricing transparency.Resellers must redefine their value—or risk becoming obsolete.Pretenders and matchmaking models? They don’t belong here.Mission-critical buys? Likely still handled by DoD internally.Consultants who know how to shape deals early are in high demand.Subscribe to the GovCon Newsletter!I unpack these shifts and more every week in my GovClose newsletter on LinkedIn.🔗 Follow me and subscribe: www.linkedin.com/in/govcloseWatch NextInterview with GSA’s Kevin Kivlin – What GSA Is Really Planning: https://youtu.be/033sUCzGgq8#GSA #governmentcontracting2025

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    9 mins
  • This Veteran Business Closed $42M In 5 Years
    Jun 11 2025

    Want to know how real small businesses actually win government contracts?
    In this live session, I’ll reverse engineer the exact moves one federal contractor made to break into the market—and how you can apply the same strategy.
    We’re not just talking theory. You’ll see:
    How to find and study real contract award data
    The key actions that led to their first wins
    What they did differently that made all the difference
    If you’re serious about building a GovCon strategy that works, this is the blueprint you’ve been looking for.

    Get My Free Training On How to start a GovCon Consulting Business: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification JOIN the GovClose Community RING the bell 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile for real-world GovCon insights 👉(https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/)WATCH NEXT:• How David Built a $4K/Month Gov Consulting Business in 60 Days https://youtu.be/VnHTXcb01Qw

    • Federal Workers Sinning In Government Contracting: https://youtu.be/6ISSp26IyWs

    • How to write a proposal: https://youtu.be/GbFFYPXKnm4#secdef#governmentcontracts

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    49 mins
  • Linkedin Can Win (or Lose) Your Government Contract!
    Jun 4 2025

    Establishing a #linkedin profile that builds credibility and trust in the government contracting community os essential!!Former DoD Program Manager Rick Howard reveals his 3-step LinkedIn system used by 175+ GovClose students to build trust, attract federal buyers, and grow revenue—without spamming anyone.Learn more at: https://www.govclose.comFree Training & Certification Info: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certificationFree Book: https://www.dodcontract.com/⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Why Most LinkedIn Strategies Fail in GovCon01:00 – 3 Revenue Paths: Contracting, Jobs, Consulting02:00 – The Most Important Thing Government & Companies Check First03:00 – The "Credibility Layer" – Fix This Before Outreach06:00 – Your Banner, Profile Photo & 500+ Rule08:00 – The Fatal Mistake That Kills Trust Instantly10:00 – Your About Section: It’s Not About You13:00 – Certifications, Education & Social Proof14:00 – LinkedIn Recommendations That Actually Convert18:00 – Influence: How to Make People Want to Respond21:00 – The Most Important Line on Your Profile24:00 – Positioning Yourself as an Expert (Even Without Past Performance)28:00 – Government Buyers Will Search You – Are You Discoverable?30:00 – Outreach: How to Build Relationships BEFORE the RFP34:00 – Vermeer Case Study: Millions in Contracts From LinkedIn36:00 – How to Post & Get Found for What You Actually Sell37:00 – How to Get Hired, Get Clients, or Get Contracts With This StrategyJOIN the GovClose Community RING the bell 🔔 on my LinkedIn profile for real-world GovCon insights 👉(https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/)Get the GovClose Certification: https://www.govclose.com/sales-certification Free Book Download: https://www.dodcontract.com/#linkedintutorial #linkedintips

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    38 mins

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