Author: Cynthia Poole, Director of Research Services, Market Connections, Inc. Many of our clients need to gain insights from Congressional, Department of Defense and Intelligence Community (IC) decision-makers and influencers to help them better serve these specialized audiences. Gaining access has always been a challenge, especially for obtaining research insights that drive business decisions, communications, marketing and public affairs initiatives. When implementing research among these audiences, Market Connections offers extensive experience and a specialized approach for targeting these individuals. Be sure to read the full article on how to best reach senior government decision makers with market research here. 

Welcome to the Weekly News Kick Off post from the FedPulse blog.  While we are all headed into the holiday season, a dark cloud looms in the near distance with the debt ceiling issue and the lingering sequester.  Though it’s not all doom-and-gloom.  The Intelligence Community is being funded to meet modern challenges and industry members keep winning more contracts.  Be sure to check out this and much more in the latest Weekly News Kick Off.  Happy Monday. Budget Office: Next Debt Ceiling D-Day Could Come in March The government will exhaust its emergency borrowing authority sometime between March and June 2014, ...

While many government contractors are facing uncertain times in today’s budget climate, it actually provides an opportunity for industry to focus on quality and better meet government customers’ mission goals. In addition, Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procurements, while not ideal for every situation, can work as long as there are no trade-offs when it comes to performance – solely at the price of cost.  Finally, the new budget landscape also provides the opportunity for contractors to best establish the right performance metrics to ensure optimal outcomes. These are some of the key insights from Al Boykin, Chief Learning Officer, National Contract ...

With more than 1,500 employees, Sotera Defense Solutions has grown into a unique organization that delivers innovative systems, solutions and services in support of critical missions for defense, intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security organizations. From cybersecurity to mobile platform integration and intelligence analysis, Sotera Defense Solutions offers a wide-range of services and solutions for enhancing national security.  The company also has a deep heritage for supporting government customers that dates back to 1969 when it was founded as Sachs Freeman Associates, Inc. Leading its growth and business development is the newly appointed President and CEO Deborah Alderson, who was recently the ...

Last month, Market Connections and Centurion Research, which was recently acquired by Deltek, issued a study about how Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) contracts may be awarded to less qualified companies and sacrifice long-term value for short-term cost savings. In addition, these procurements could act to lower government contractors’ standards of performance. The survey of more than 375 government contractors and 360 federal government decision-makers found that LPTA procurements will increase in the next three years and government employees are less familiar with these kinds of contracts. Market Connections and Deltek/Centurion Research Solutions recently developed a comprehensive infographic illustrating the key findings: Government ...

Welcome to the Weekly News Kick Off post from the FedPulse blog.  The U.S. resources required for the disaster response in the Philippines is making many question sequestration; though one top Republican Senator is claiming that the sequester is working and Lockheed Martin is laying off 4,000 people.  In the midst of all of this, there continues to be a steady stream of new contract wins.  Be sure to check out this and much more in the latest Weekly News Kick Off.  Happy Monday. Sequester Looms Over Philippines Disaster Relief Many believe that the Navy and Marine Corps’ high-profile disaster response in ...

For product resellers and integrators like CDW Government, the majority of marketing efforts are funded through their vendor partners – in an effort to enhance product awareness and lead generation with government customers. In the reseller community, showing true return-on-investment (ROI) is paramount for showcasing the true value of all marketing efforts through the channel.  For Ann-Marie Clark, Senior Director, Public Sector Marketing of CDW Government, research is the foundation for both ensuring that all marketing efforts are effective and justify the overall budget. In addition, the right research enables federal marketers like Clark to develop messaging that fully resonates both with ...

In today’s austere budget climate, the value of targeted and research-driven marketing communications has never been more vital for government contractors.  From ensuring that your messages reach the right government decision makers to testing brand messages, now is the right time for contractors to invest in marketing strategies that provide the most return-on-investment (ROI). FedPulse had the unique opportunity of speaking with Alisa Valudes Whyte, Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at marketing/PR firm Merritt Group, about the value of research-driven marketing communications for government contractors. FedPulse:  Tell us about Merritt Group. Valudes Whyte:  Merritt Group is a mid-sized boutique agency that ...

Welcome to the Weekly News Kick Off post from the FedPulse blog.  We hope everyone had the opportunity to spend the Veteran’s Day holiday with family and friends, as well as pay respect to those who have sacrificed for our nation.  Sequestration is still top-of-mind in the federal news cycle; however, we are seeing larger numbers of new contracts being awarded. Be sure to check out this and much more in the latest Weekly News Kick Off.  Happy Tuesday. Sequestration Is A Disaster; Here’s A Smarter Way To Save Money With members of both political parties hating sequestration, Forbes Magazine is offering ...

Today, Americans across the nation are commemorating Veterans Day with parades, wreath-laying ceremonies, monument dedications and other events. While this highly important holiday is a reminder to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom, we can also take this time to better understand the origins of this holiday. We highly recommend a viewing this History Channel segment, which offers a history of Veterans Day.