The Peel

On this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Brenda Blunt, Senior Director at ORAU and former CMS Division Director, for a conversation about the future of healthcare and what it will take to build healthier, more resilient communities. Drawing on her experience in both the clinical and federal sectors, Brenda explores why prevention is finally taking center stage, how nutrition and education can improve long-term health outcomes, and why "food as medicine" is becoming a critical part of the healthcare conversation.
The discussion also dives into ORAU's role in strengthening the nation's healthcare workforce, preparing communities for public health challenges, and advancing research that improves resilience across the country. Brenda shares details about ORAU's new Rural Health Research Innovation Cluster, designed to bring together researchers, universities, industry, and government to address workforce shortages, access to care, emergency preparedness, and women's health in rural America.
If you're interested in the future of public health, healthcare innovation, or how collaboration can drive better outcomes for communities, this episode offers valuable insights into where healthcare is headed next.
To connect with Brenda, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about ORAU at their website here.

Is the CMMC program really on pause—or is that just one of the biggest misconceptions circulating through the defense contracting community?
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum, separate fact from fiction following the Department of Defense's announcement to pause Phase 2 of the CMMC rollout. Together, they break down what the pause actually means, the difference between CMMC levels and phases, and why Phase 1 requirements remain very much in effect.
The conversation tackles some of the most common myths contractors are asking about, including whether CMMC has been canceled, if companies should stop implementing cybersecurity controls, whether compliance is prohibitively expensive, and how the government is responding to industry feedback. Eric also shares practical recommendations for navigating self-assessments, preparing for potential audits, and avoiding costly compliance mistakes while the future of Phase 2 is being evaluated.
If you're a defense contractor or planning to enter the Defense Industrial Base, this episode provides the clarity you need to understand what's changing, what's staying the same, and what steps you should be taking right now.
The CMMC Reform Task Force has an open RFI to collect more feedback: Click here to view. Make sure to respond by Aug 14!
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.

David Blackburn recently connected with Adam Furtado, Vice President of Enablement at Rise8, for a conversation about one of the biggest shifts underway in federal technology. Adam's career spans the U.S. Air Force, the Department of the Navy, Kessel Run, startup leadership, and now Rise8, where he helps organizations transform how they build and deliver software for critical missions.
Rise8 has emerged as one of the federal market's leading voices on modern software delivery. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, the company is helping agencies and contractors move beyond legacy development models by combining modern engineering, product thinking, and human-centered design to continuously deliver software that improves mission outcomes. Their mission is both simple and ambitious. Create a future where fewer bad things happen because of bad software.
In this episode, David and Adam explore why AI-assisted software development is generating so much attention, what many organizations misunderstand about adopting it, and how federal teams can embrace these capabilities without compromising security, quality, or mission success. They also discuss why hands-on learning, modern engineering practices, and organizational culture may be just as important as the technology itself.
Whether you're a government technology leader, software engineer, program executive, digital transformation leader, or GovCon executive trying to understand where software development is headed, this conversation offers practical insight into how forward-looking organizations are preparing for the next generation of mission delivery and what that could mean for the federal market in the years ahead.
Learn more about Prodacity and register to attend the event happening August 25-27 here.
To connect with Adam, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Rise8 at their website here.

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Monica Randall, founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to challenge the misconceptions surrounding 8(a), Woman-Owned, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and GSA Schedule programs. Together, they unpack what these certifications actually provide, why they should be viewed as contracting vehicles—not revenue generators—and how today's policy changes are reshaping the certification landscape.
Monica explains the latest SBA rule changes, the growing importance of the GSA Schedule under the current administration, and the compliance pitfalls companies need to understand before investing time and money into a certification. She also shares practical strategies for turning certifications into a competitive advantage—without making them the centerpiece of your business development efforts.
If you're pursuing federal contracts or wondering whether a certification belongs in your growth strategy, this conversation delivers a candid reality check on what certifications can—and can't—do for your business, along with actionable advice for building relationships, proving your capabilities, and competing successfully in today's federal marketplace.
To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about The Randall Group at their website here.

If you think AI is still just about writing proposals faster, you're missing where this market is headed.
Every once in a while, a deal comes along that tells you something much bigger than who acquired whom. It tells you where an entire industry is going. GovSignals' acquisition of Turingon is one of those moments.
For years, GovCon has been a collection of disconnected tools. One platform for market intelligence. Another for capture. Another for proposals. Another for post-award. The real work has always happened in the gaps between them.
That's why this acquisition deserves attention.
More than simply one company acquiring another, it represents a vision for where AI is headed in government contracting, and a belief that the future belongs to connected workflows, not disconnected software.
If you're responsible for growth, capture, proposals, competitive intelligence, or deciding where your organization is investing in AI over the next several years, this conversation is worth your time.
In this episode of The Peel, OrangeSlices AI CEO David Blackburn sits down with Jeremy Doochin, Co-Founder of GovSignals, and Arthur Runno, Founder of Turingon and now Head of Sales at GovSignals, to discuss the strategy behind the acquisition, why the two companies decided to come together, and what it means for the future of AI in GovCon.
Jeremy shares the vision that has fueled GovSignals' rapid momentum and its goal of supporting the entire government contracting lifecycle through a single AI platform. Arthur reflects on building Turingon, why Capture Pilot and Proposal Pilot resonated with capture and proposal professionals, and why joining GovSignals represented the right next step for both his team and their customers.
The discussion goes well beyond the announcement itself, exploring how the acquisition came together, where AI is creating meaningful value for GovCon organizations, how growth teams should be thinking about technology investments, and where both leaders believe the market is heading next.
Whether you're evaluating AI platforms, leading a capture organization, or simply trying to stay ahead of where the GovCon technology landscape is moving, this episode offers valuable perspective from two executives helping shape that future.
To connect with Jeremy, follow him on LinkedIn here.To connect with Arthur, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about GovSignals at their website here.

The GovCon market has no shortage of data. The real challenge is turning all of that information into decisions. Every day, thousands of new opportunities, contract actions, and procurement documents are published. The companies that win aren't necessarily the ones with the most data. They're the ones that can find the right information, connect the dots, and act on it faster.
David Blackburn recently connected with Charles Sanders, Founder of PrimeRFP, for a conversation about how AI is changing contract discovery, capture strategy, and the future of GovCon market intelligence.
PrimeRFP has been building impressive momentum with its SCOUT intelligence platform, an AI-powered solution that brings together federal and state and local opportunities, historical contract data, and advanced search capabilities designed to help growth teams identify and prioritize the opportunities that matter most. During the discussion, Charles explains the thinking behind SCOUT, why it approaches market intelligence differently, and how that intentional approach is helping organizations uncover opportunities that traditional workflows often overlook.
The conversation also highlights an exciting collaboration between OrangeSlices, Arctas, and PrimeRFP. Together, the teams are developing new capabilities for the Arctas platform that will bring PrimeRFP's intelligence directly into the community experience, giving GovCon professionals additional context and insights as they research companies, opportunities, and the broader federal marketplace. More details on those initiatives will be shared in the months ahead.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the discussion is the broader conversation about the GovCon intelligence market itself. Charles shares his perspective on where long-established platforms such as GovWin continue to provide value, but also where gaps remain for today's growth organizations. The discussion explores why newer approaches to AI, search, and data enrichment are creating opportunities to solve problems that many capture and business development teams still face every day.
Whether you're evaluating your current market intelligence tools, looking for an edge in capture, or simply trying to understand how AI is reshaping GovCon growth, this conversation offers valuable insight into where the market is headed, and why the next generation of competitive advantage may come from asking better questions of your data, not just collecting more of it.
To connect with Charles, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about PrimeRFP at their website here.

What separates highly successful small businesses from those that struggle to grow in the federal marketplace?
 
In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire and ENcompass Consulting Group's CEO, Eric Nusbaum break down the seven habits that help GovCon small businesses thrive, and the bad habits that can hold them back. From relying too heavily on socioeconomic status and setting unrealistic growth goals to neglecting partnerships, capture efforts, and contract vehicle strategies, the conversation explores the common mistakes many companies make as they pursue growth.
Eric shares practical insights on building realistic growth plans, creating stronger teaming relationships, making smarter bid/no-bid decisions, investing in capture before an RFP drops, and turning contract vehicles into real revenue generators. The discussion also highlights why past performance matters just as much as winning new work and how companies can prepare now for the challenges that come with outgrowing their small business status.
As the federal fiscal year enters its final quarter, this episode offers timely guidance for small businesses looking to finish strong and position themselves for long-term success.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here. To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here

Are teaming agreements really protecting your business—or just taking you off the street?
On this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with government contracting expert Monica Randall, founder and CEO of the Randall Group and a former SBA leader, to separate fact from fiction when it comes to teaming agreements, joint ventures, workshare, exclusivity clauses, and subcontract negotiations. Drawing on more than two decades of SBA experience and years of advising GovCon firms, Monica tackles some of the most common misconceptions contractors make when forming partnerships.
The conversation explores why a handshake or email is never enough, the critical differences between teaming agreements and joint ventures, and how poorly written exclusivity clauses can limit future opportunities. Shelley and Monica also dive into the importance of negotiating meaningful workshare, understanding how teaming agreements transition into subcontracts, and recognizing when certifications can create real leverage during negotiations.
Whether you're a small business evaluating your first teaming agreement or an experienced contractor looking to strengthen your partnership strategy, this episode offers practical insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and negotiate from a position of strength.
To connect with Monica, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about The Randall Group on their website.Check out the last podcast Monica did with Shelley here.

At VETS26, we turned the mic around and put conference attendees in the hot seat! In this special episode, veterans, advocates, employers, and industry leaders share a mix of personal stories, fun rapid-fire answers, and their biggest takeaways from the conference. From favorite hobbies and unexpected talents to meaningful conversations about career growth, networking, and supporting the veteran community, these candid interviews capture the energy and spirit of VETS26. Tune in for plenty of laughs, insightful perspectives, and a firsthand look at why so many people value the VETS conference experience.

On this episode of The Peel Podcast, Shelley McGuire sits down with Dom Cussatt, CEO of Vault Cloud and a former federal IT leader with experience spanning the VA, State Department, DOD, NATO, and private sector healthcare. With more than 30 years at the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and mission delivery, Dom shares his perspective on how IT can truly empower organizations rather than simply support them.
The conversation explores the evolving relationship between security, compliance, and mission execution as agencies and companies navigate AI, cloud computing, and rapidly changing threat landscapes. Shelley and Dom discuss the differences between public and private sector IT, why government often operates at a scale industry underestimates, and how agile development and risk-based security approaches are reshaping the future of technology operations.
They also dive into vendor partnerships, AI ethics, open source infrastructure, and the importance of building secure, mission-focused environments that balance innovation with trust. From protecting warfighters and veterans to enabling healthcare systems and modern cloud operations, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where federal IT is headed next.
To connect with Dom, visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about Vault Cloud, visit their website here.