Adventures In Contracting Podcasts - SPC Business Consulting

The Podcast for Government Contractors by Government Contractors

Hosted by Leona Charles and Vivica Brooks.

Leona Charles is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in project management, acquisition, and Federal procurement. She has spent her career building diversity programs within contracting and commercial clients, managing and developing partnerships, building new contractor support programs. She focuses her expertise on training, organizing, conducting an analysis of organizations and projects, financial management, infrastructure, and staff development. She has supported a broad spectrum of clients including clients in the manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, the US Department of Defense, and US Non-Profit organizations.

“I started this journey a long time ago and I still get stuck. This podcast is a chance for me to learn some new things, while I ask my questions out loud” — Leona Charles

Vivica Brooks has extensive experience in leadership and training from her positions with Marriott International and local non-profits. While at Marriot Wardman Park, she created various Service Excellence standards and trained both union and non-union associates. Her training achievements led to her receiving the Manager of the Quarter Award within six months. In addition, Ms. Brooks designed an adult learner-based business and customer relations curriculum that was approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In 2010 Vivica started The Brooks Group, LLC (TBG) to train underserved and hard-to-serve populations for high-growth in-demand careers in the District of Columbia.

“I expect excellence. You will give me excellence” — Vivica Brooks

Season Three Episodes — 2022

October 14, 2022 : Season 3, Episode 3 — This episode we are talking about what went wrong with Mississippi TANF and Brett Favre. Strap in for a wild ride into conflicts of interests and surprisingly what the state of Mississippi is doing right. If you don’t know me, I’m Leona Charles, owner of SPC Business Consulting LLC, where we do all things government contracts.

Approximate Run-Time: 21 minutes

August 12, 2022 : Season 3, Episode 1 — Welcome to a new season! We have a new format! This episode we talk about the new past performance expansion for small business by the SBA and a case of bad money and fraud by a government contractor in Columbia, MD.

SBA Expansion Rule:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/07/22/2022-15622/past-performance-ratings-for-small-business-joint-venture-members-and-small-business-first-tier

False Claims
https://www.acquisition.gov/far/3.1003?searchTerms=false%20claims

DOJ
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-files-false-claims-act-lawsuit-against-maryland-contractor-and-owner

Approximate Run-Time: 11 minutes

Sept 9, 2022 : Season 3, Episode 2 — This episode we are talking about when government contracts gone wrong over at WSSC. Strap in for a wild ride into conflicts of interests and the ethics of a contract manager. If you don’t know me, I’m Leona Charles, owner of SPC Business Consulting LLC, where we do all things government contracts.

So let’s dive right in. This month we’re talking about:
The facts of the case
Whether the actions were inappropriate
Whether there was in fact conflict of interest
Where it ended

Approximate Run-Time: 35:30 minutes.

Season Two Episodes — 2021

Oct 28, 2021 : Season 2, Episode 13 – Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) final rule went into effect in December of 2020.It requires that contractors have an active security plan and actually implement it. The biggest change from NIST is that a 3 rd party will verify and certify your security level. Leona covers this and more in this very interesting and informative episode. Runtime Approx. 21 minutes.

©2021 SPC Consulting, LLC.

Oct 8, 2021 : Season 2, Episode 12 — The Executive Order issued on 9/9/21 brings big changes for federal contractors. Section requires contractors to provide adequate COVID-19 safeguards to workers performing on or in connection with a federal government contract or contract-like instrument. Adequate means it meets the definitions of the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce guidelines. The initial implementation steps started 10/8/21 and will be fully implemented into any new contract or contract like instrument by 10/15/2021.

Approximate Run-Time: 17 minutes

Sept 16, 2021 : Season 2, Episode 11 — Leona Charles discusses the DUNS number and how it differs from the EIN (Federal Tax ID). Also discussed are the changes that are coming in early April of 2022 regarding the “Unique Entity ID”. This is a “do not miss” conversation and is very important to government contracting eligibility starting in early 2022.

Approximate Run-Time: 22 minutes.

August 5, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 10

JEDI (Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure) Contract. The JEDI Contract revisited and what it means regarding the potential involvement of small businesses.

Approximate Run-Time 20 minutes.

July 13, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 9

In this episode, Leona and Vivica discuss the challenges of small business and category managements. Category management is the business practice of buying common goods and services as an enterprise to eliminate redundancies and increase efficiency and deliver more savings. Approximate Run-Time 25 minutes.

©2021 SPC Consulting, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

July 1, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 8

Season 2, Episode 8 — Continued discussion about Women Owned Businesses (WOB) and Government regulations. Importance of staying in compliance, the benefits of running your business appropriately, and the risks and consequences of not doing so. Estimated Running Time: 32 minutes

June 11, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 7

In this episode we’ll be discussing the Women Owned Small Business Certification – specifically the control component of the business – working full-time in the business. Leona Charles and Vivica Brooks offer up suggestions to make sure the certification criteria is met, including how much time and effort is attributed specifically to women of color in their businesses. Approximate Running Time: 23 minutes

April 5, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 6

In this episode, Leona and Vivica take a high level look at the Infrastructure Bill currently being discussed in the news and government. They discuss how this positively effects government contractors on several different levels and what portions of the bill are important in which to pay attention. Also, part of the conversation discusses how critical could be the set-asides specifically for minority and woman owned businesses. Approximate running time: 30 minutes.

©2021 SPC Consulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

March 25, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 5

In this episode, Leona and Vivica continue their conversation on how to develop worth and value and translating that into a satisfactory contract rate for the services and/or products offered. Runtime approximately 30 minutes.

March 11, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 4

In this, the 4th episode of 2021, Adventures in Contracting’s Leona Charles and Vivica Brooks discuss knowing a customer, pricing, setting realistic values to your services, growth strategies, inclusion of your “special sauce” and the terrible practice of lowballing.Total Run Time Approximately 30 minutes.

February 23, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 3

In this episode, Leona and Vivica discuss what programs as already in place to help companies who are in, or wish to be in the GovCon space. These programs help organizations manage all the information being sent to them and guide them through the process and implementation of government contracts. Specifically discussed is the Howards University SBDC (Small Business Development Center) CARES program, being led by SPC Consulting. Running Time: 30 minutes

February 13, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 2

In this episode of Adventures in Contracting, Leona and Vivica discuss the biggest myths of government contracting and how small businesses can overcome those myths. Total Run Time Approx – 27 min.

January 14, 2021 – Season 2, Episode 1

In our first episode of 2021, we are talking about how paying to the details can helped these contractors walk away with $250m. Contract changes happen, but getting the government to pay for them is a skill worth having. Total Run Time – 24 min.

Season One Episodes — 2020

August 24, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 8

In this episode, we are getting real! How do you build a company’s culture? How do you determine success? How do you hold yourself and your staff accountable? How do you handle employee issues? Are their issues your issues? We are talking about all that and more.

August 7, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 6

Today’s episode talks about enhance unemployment, creative workforce management strategies, and how to move forward. Trigger warning! This discussion gets heated!!

DC Department of Employment Services-Shared Work Program
https://does.dc.gov/page/dc-shared-work-process

Maryland DLLR Work Sharing
https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/worksharing/

June 19, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 5

On this episode, we talk about what it means to end a partnership, how to protect yourself, and a little story about how it can go bad.

June 4, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 4

Growing is hard, but especially in business. Government contracting can be unforgiving, so we have a few tips to help you make the transition to your next phase.

May 12, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 3

As you grow your business, you need different things. We all start somewhere and this episode we talk about the neighborhoods of growth: starter homes (start-ups), family homes (mid-sized) and mansions (fully matured).

April 30, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 2

This episode we are talking about the good, bad, and ugly with the PPP. This episode has our experiences in applying, what we’ve learned from all the information out there and what you can expect.

April 23, 2020 – Season 1, Episode 1

This is a podcast about government contracting made by government contractors. We are talking about our take on the set-aside issues, the roller coaster ride of partners make-ups and break-ups and CBE (DC set-aside) program.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter