Podcast Show Notes
2025-11-18 Federal Market Insights Episode 31 — Session Overview
WPI Podcast Episode 31 Summary
Federal Market Insights – November 18, 2025
Topics: Contracting during and post shutdown; The Contracting Academy, Marketplace
The first part of our discussion centered on suggested post-shutdown actions federal contractors should take or consider taking.
The Federal Shutdown has ended, and the federal government is back at work. One article indicated that while the government has reopened, recovery from the shutdown will not be immediate. In fact, the article estimated that recovery will take several days for each day of the shutdown. In the most extreme case, full recovery could require months.
Experts Say It Could Take Federal Agencies Months to Recover From Shutdown – MeriTalk
The return to full operations may affect the restart of federal contracts. At a minimum, companies should review their contracts, be familiar with what clauses apply and continue to remain in contact with their contracting officer.
Don’t assume that since the shutdown ended, all is normal. Don’t make assumptions about your contract(s) and their status. Expect and rely only on formal communications from authorized individuals. Companies should document communications both sent and received. This includes providing information to your suppliers and subcontractors.
Communications should be reviewed not only for actions required but also that the sender has the authority to commit the government to whatever actions are listed.
Companies should document internal issues related to the shutdown. The company will incur unexpected costs not only as the prime but also resulting from both suppliers and subcontractors. Given the uncertainty involved with the shutdown, it is also possible that key members of the supply chain may have redirected their efforts to other projects.
It would be normal to expect formal instructions to restart a project (contract). Given the potential impact of the shutdown, awardees may consider requesting a “post-award like” meeting. After all the shutdown wasn’t transitory – a couple of days. It lasted over 40 days. Supply chains were impacted, staffing at all tiers may have been impacted, and seasonal weather conditions may need to be taken into consideration. Additionally, modifications may need to be discussed as original target dates may no longer be achievable. Thus modifications will be required. Don’t assume, look for documentation.
The shutdown may also have impacted cash flow. Therefore, companies may need to assess this important issue and take appropriate actions. Actions may include reviewing loan documentation, lines of credit, and/or having a meeting to update the company’s banker. In addition to the updates provided for awareness, information should also be provided about the restart and impacts related to schedule adjustments.
We also discussed two important early December opportunities for businesses. These events focus on two central issues – information and contacts. The first event is The Contracting Academy which is also known as TCA. The second event is Marketplace.
We provided information on TCA, its value and topics on its agenda.
This all-day event is free, open but requires registration and online. It will be held on Tuesday, December 9th. The bottom line is all companies interested in learning how to conduct business with the state and/or local governments should attend. Additional topics will include AI assisted business development and information about DoW’s CMMC program which details its cybersecurity requirements.
Additional information on topics being covered and speaker can be found at: https://wicontractingacademy.org/
Lastly, we discussed The Governor’s Conference on Diverse Business Development –Join us on Dec. 9-11, 2025.
This upcoming in-person event is being held at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. The value of Marketplace is the ability to network. Companies have a chance to network with each other, visit booths of resource providers or suppliers and participate in one-on-one meetings with buyers. The buyer list has not been finalized yet. However, in past years buyers from federal departments, state agencies, quasi-government organizations and private companies have attended.
How should Companies prepare. Companies should make sure that their SAM registration is up to date and active. Companies with web sites should update them and ask the question is the information needed by a federal buyer or prime easy to locate. Maybe there should be a link or menu item that advertises this information. They should also update their business cards – no line throughs. Use the back of your business card to list your SAM UEI, CAGE code and NAICS codes. Limit the number of NAICS codes to 3 or 5 at the most.
Most importantly, companies should have copies of their Capability Statement. This is a one-page document that tells your story. Take time to learn about prospective customers. Create your story for them. Your story needs to be interesting, relevant and memorable.
Interesting – Your story needs to be interesting so that it catches their attention and they want to review all of the information.
Relevant – The information provided – what your business does has to be germane to their business needs. You have to show the reader, how your business can help them create more business or be more effective.
Memorable – These buyers will meet many businesses. It will be a long day. They will get back to their office and have phone calls to return and emails to address. The message created on your Capability Statement needs to endure these distractions. Your goal is to have the buyer share your Capability Statement with others.
For questions concerning either of these events, please contact WPI main office at 414-270-3600.