Podcast Show Notes
2025-09-23 Federal Market Insights Episode 25 — Session Overview
Resources
WPI Podcast Episode 25 Summary
September 23 – Feyman Technique
Federal Shutdown – September 30, 2025
The federal fiscal year will end on Tuesday, September 30 – one week from today. Currently as reported by various media, there is not budget bill. Unless a budget bill is approved by midnight next Tuesday, portions of the federal government will shut down. A government shut affects many including federal contractors and subcontractors.
If the likelihood of a budget bill being passed is small, contractors and subcontractors may need to begin preparations for a shut down. Contractors should reach out to their contracting officers and subcontractors should contact the appropriate individual at the company that issued their subcontract. Additionally, contractors should also maintain communication with their suppliers and subcontractors.
Articles and comments of general interest.
Mike McCarthy – visits UW campus
Former NFL coach Mike McCarthy and Green Bay resident was seen on the UW campus in the athletic director’s suite watching a volleyball game. As the article points out, it was not known that he was a Wisconsin volleyball fan. Badger fans are intrigued by this meeting but as the article implies don’t expect a swift change.
Of course, spotting Mike McCarthy on campus after the UW’s football team’s performance has created speculation as to what the real purpose of the visit was.
As with changes to any federal contract, a change to the existing contract(s) may be more involved than expected.
Wisconsin lawmakers introduce bill aimed to revitalize state’s forest industry
Wisconsin is looking to use a principal resource, its forests, to create sustainable aviation fuel. Lawmakers have introduced the Forestry Revitalization Act. This act would support the forestry industry create 150 jobs and become a producer of sustainable aviation fuel through a relationship of Johnson Timber and a German Company. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan are vying for the business. 80% of the timber would come from Wisconsin. The plant is expect to be operational in four years.
Army on the hunt for ‘Ready Now’ Capabilities
This article was extremely interesting for several reasons. This includes information and insight concerning the interests and needs of the future Army. The idea of “Ready Now” signals that the Army is seeking technology that is ready to be implemented. It is not looking for good ideas or technology still in its developmental phase. Items of note include approximately eight procurement related ideas.
These include –
- Technology Readiness Level (seeking TRL – 6) – system model/prototype in relevant environment.
- Program of Record – A Program of Record (POR) is an Acquisition Program which is a directed, funded effort that provides a new, improved, or continuing materiel, weapon, or information system or service capability in response to an approved need. DoD: Finding the right commercialization path; business.defense.gov
- ‘Ready Now’ technologies of interest
- The need for speed and scale; Army + Commercial = speed
- Commonality and flexibility = contradiction
- Understanding how government works – Contracting path and regulations
- The Army is looking forward 40 years
- Shift in defining what is the problem. Using a characteristic of needs statement.
Army on Hunt For ‘Ready Now’ Capabilities
Learning what needs to be learned using the Feynman method
How can we learn? More specifically, how can we a learn a concept or topic. Learning often takes place in school, and the instructor determines what is important. Many have read and re-read sections. Others highlight key terms, thoughts and/or sections. Outlines can be used as can making notes in the margin or using flash card.
The question is how can we take a topic and be confident that we understand the salient points and can express them?
Are the methods that were learned years ago the best method to be used?
Some claim that the method known as the Feynman method can be used to achieve superior results to re-reading, underling and other common practices.
Richard Feynman was a well-known and accomplished physicist. He participated in the Manhattan Project, was awarded the Nobel-Prize winning theoretical physicist known for his work in creating areas of modern physics. He is also well known for his teaching ability and a method of learning termed – “The Feynman Method.”
The Feynman Method is comprised of four parts.
- For the given topic, explain what you know. Explain it as you would to a novice and do not use large terms or acronyms.
- If the topic can be explained, satisfactorily and without struggles and any questions that come to mind or posed by a student can be answered then mastery of the topic has been achieved.
- If there are gaps identified during the explanation or by questions, these are gaps. Gaps, simply signify areas that require additional study. The goal of closing the gap is to break down the topic (questions) into smaller units so that an explanation of that idea or those ideas can be performed using basic language and no acronyms.
- Organize and Review.