The Peel

OASIS+, MDA Shield, CMMC: 3 Hot GovCon Opportunities You Can’t Afford to Miss with Eric Nusbaum

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Eric Nusbaum, CEO of ENcompass Consulting Group, to to unpack three of the hottest topics in the GovCon world right now. Eric shares the latest timelines and urgency behind CMMC—why October 2025 could be a game-changing deadline for defense contractors.
He then dives into MDA Shield, a $151 billion, 10-year IDIQ born from the President’s Golden Dome initiative, with an unusually low barrier to entry.
Finally, they discuss the upcoming on-ramping and new domain opportunities for OASIS+, why fall 2025 could be a pivotal time to prepare, and how companies can position themselves to win. Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or looking to pivot into new federal opportunities, this conversation provides insider insights, practical timelines, and clear next steps you can take now.
To connect with Eric, visit him on LinkedIn here.To learn more about ENcompass Consulting Group, visit their website here.

Mastering the Business Exit Journey with Adam McNair: Growth Maturity in GovCon

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey, featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance.
Thinking about selling your company or growing through acquisition? This third episode lays the groundwork for presenting your business effectively during a transaction.
David Blackburn sits down with GovCon expert Adam McNair to unpack what matters to buyers—beyond just financials. They explore how to confidently present your pipeline, articulate your value in partnerships, and show maturity in operations that build trust with investors.
Whether you're preparing to exit or simply leveling up your business, this is the kind of strategic insight you can’t afford to miss.
To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here. 

Inside IntelliDyne’s Growth Strategy with Todd Margules

In this episode of The Peel, Shelley McGuire sits down with Todd Margules, Senior VP and Chief Growth Officer at IntelliDyne, a company delivering cutting-edge IT services and solutions to the federal government. With over 20 years of cross-industry leadership, Todd is a client-focused growth strategist, mentor, and team builder, leading the charge in securing new business and ensuring excellence in service delivery.
Todd shares his deep insights into the evolving world of government contracting, from the shift between performance-based and solution-based service models to the increasing demand for innovation and value beyond “butts in seats.” He also unpacks IntelliDyne’s strategic approach to positioning in a competitive market, the importance of partnerships, and how the company is reinventing itself to meet customer needs with advanced tools, agile delivery, and mission-driven service.
Whether you’re a GovCon executive, small business owner, or aspiring BD leader, Todd’s perspective offers both practical takeaways and high-level industry foresight.
To connect with Todd, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about IntelliDyne by visiting their webpage here.

The Real Deal: Alpha Omega’s Federal Growth Strategy with Gautam Ijoor

In the second episode of The Real Deal, Sarah Djamshidi, CEO and Managing Partner of SpeedShift Ventures, and David Blackburn have a conversation with Gautam Ijoor, CEO of Alpha Omega, to uncover the strategic blueprint behind the company's meteoric rise—from a startup to a $226M powerhouse in less than nine years. Gautam shares the internal building blocks that made Alpha Omega’s growth sustainable, including redefining company values, getting the right people in the right roles, and leading with a passionate "why." He dives into how visionary planning, both for the present and the future, fuels enterprise value, drives culture, and prepares the business for bold moves like acquisitions and private equity partnerships.
With candid insights on market headwinds, strategic M&A, and how CEOs can (and should) be ambassadors for their company’s mission, this conversation is a masterclass in long-term thinking and intentional leadership in the federal contracting space.
To connect with Gautam, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Alpha Omega by visiting their webpage here.

Designing for Impact: Lessons in Federal CX from Publicis Sapient with Omari Teel

In this episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire sits down with Omari Teel, Vice President of Public Sector at Publicis Sapient, a digital consulting powerhouse known for driving transformative change in both government and commercial sectors.
Omari leads a team that helps federal agencies tackle big, complex challenges, from modernizing legacy systems to enhancing public service delivery through human-centered design. His approach to customer experience (CX) is deeply rooted in data, community engagement, and outcomes, not just aesthetics. Under his leadership, Publicis Sapient has delivered impactful work across agencies like HRSA and USDA, improving equity in rural healthcare and driving policy-informed CX strategies at scale.
With a background that bridges the best of both commercial and federal practices, Omari is championing agile, fail-fast, and feedback-driven CX frameworks that lead to measurable impact, not just flashy interfaces. He emphasizes how real CX is about creating services that work efficiently, reflect real community needs, and evolve with continuous input, not just look good on the surface.
From building digital journeys that help rural doctors stay in underserved areas, to integrating commercial insights that actually resonate with federal users, Omari and his team are proving that CX done right can drive operational efficiency, equity, and satisfaction—all while reducing friction across government services.
To connect with Omari, follow him on LinkedIn here.Learn more about Publicis Sapient by visiting their webpage here.

Mastering the Business Exit Journey with Adam McNair: Defining Your Identity in GovCon

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey featuring Adam McNair. Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting, the series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you’re just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance.
In this second episode of Mastering the Business Exit Journey, host David Blackburn sits down with GovCon veteran ⁠Adam McNair⁠ to discuss the topic of Your Identity – How do you explain the value of your organization as a purchase? They unpack what really matters when preparing your company for growth, acquisition, or exit. From crafting your company story to understanding buyer profiles and valuation drivers, Adam shares decades of experience navigating both buy-side and sell-side transactions.
If you’re thinking about selling—or simply want to build a more valuable company—this episode should be a key part of your roadmap.
To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page here.
 

Building Trust in Emerging Tech: A Conversation with Mandy Peckham

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn chats with Mandy Peckham, CEO and Founder of BSR Consulting, who brings a bold and strategic perspective to the world of emerging tech and federal contracting. As the head of a woman-owned consulting firm that helps federal agencies and innovative tech companies connect and collaborate, Mandy is on the front lines of market shifts. She’s also a venture partner in photonics and quantum technologies and CEO of an emerging healthcare tech startup, making her one of the most plugged-in voices on what’s next.
In this conversation, Mandy shares why transformation isn’t just about technology, it’s about people and trust. She delves deeply into the trends shaping government and industry, from the surge in automation and AI use cases in healthcare to the emergence of quantum and photonics innovations. Her insights on “hot fraud summer,” consolidation of federal purchasing, and the push for explainable AI highlight the urgent need for companies to adapt their strategies. Mandy emphasizes that success in today’s market requires collaboration, transparency, and knowing exactly where you fit in the mission, not just selling tech, but building trust.
She also offers a candid look at what the next 12 to 24 months could hold: increased product buying, ecosystem partnerships, GSA consolidation, and a growing demand for outcome-driven solutions. Whether you’re a product innovator or a services provider, Mandy makes it clear, the opportunity is massive, but only if you play smart, stay agile, and become a trusted partner.
To connect with Mandy, visit her LinkedIn page here.To learn more about BSR Consulting, visit their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Beyond DC: How Huntsville is Shaping the Future of Government Contracting with Allison Rhen and Jessica Washburn

In this energizing episode of The Peel, host Shelly McGuire dives into the rising star of the defense contracting world—Huntsville, Alabama—with two of its most influential insiders, Allison Rhen and Jessica Washburn, with the AFCEA Huntsville chapter.
With deep roots in the community and decades of combined experience in federal contracting and workforce development, Allison and Jessica offer a front-row view into why Huntsville is becoming a serious competitor to traditional hubs like the DC area. From its growing role as a home for major defense agencies like NASA, FBI, and Redstone Arsenal to its strong culture of collaboration, innovation, and small business support, Huntsville is more than just “Rocket City”—it’s a launchpad for careers, contracts, and connections.
Allison, a key player at Torch Technologies and current president of HASBAT, champions workforce initiatives and small business access. Jessica, who leads SmartBits Consulting and heads up the local AFCEA chapter, is a driving force behind business growth and tech engagement in the region. Together, they paint a compelling picture of a city powered by leadership, accessibility, and a future-forward approach to industry.
To connect with Allison, follow her on LinkedIn here.To connect with Jessica, follow her on LinkedIn here.Learn more about the AFCEA Huntsville chapter by visiting their webpage here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.

Mastering the Business Exit Journey with Adam McNair: What Does a Successful Exit Look Like for You?

Welcome to this new M&A focused podcast series, Mastering the Business Exit Journey featuring Adam McNair. Episodes will focus on Designed for leaders on both the buy-side and sell-side of government contracting. The series offers real-world insights, strategies, and lessons learned for scaling, selling, or acquiring businesses. Whether you're just beginning to plan or actively navigating a deal, this series meets you where you are with expert guidance.
In the first episode, David Blackburn talks with ⁠Adam McNair⁠ about a critical question every business owner must face: What does a successful exit look like for you? From maximizing profits and preserving legacy to ensuring team continuity and simplifying handoffs, this episode unpacks the diverse goals and complex emotions tied to exiting a business. With real-world examples and expert advice, it emphasizes the importance of early, ongoing conversations and tailored preparation based on your exit goals. Whether you're years away or thinking about selling soon, this episode offers essential guidance to help you plan strategically and avoid common pitfalls.
To connect with Adam, visit his LinkedIn page ⁠here⁠.
To view all of our podcast series, visit our ⁠podcast page⁠.

From Low-Code to Local AI: How APV is Driving the Next Wave of Digital Transformation with Manuel Miranda

In this episode of The Peel, David Blackburn sits down with Manuel Miranda, Chief AI and Growth Officer at APV, a mission-focused tech company that’s quietly revolutionizing government and enterprise services through cutting-edge solutions. From low-code/no-code development to scalable AI and Agile DevSecOps, APV’s work is having a real-world impact, including recent contract wins at HHS.
Manuel brings deep technical expertise and visionary thinking as he unpacks the rise of on-device AI, exploring its growing importance for privacy, power efficiency, and low-latency use cases in defense, healthcare, education, and government services. He also discusses how smaller, more efficient LLMs and better hardware are unlocking new frontiers, like AI mentors for lifelong learning and local AI-driven diagnostics in rural communities.
From government automation to personalized education and even the ethics of AI dependency, Manuel offers insights that will resonate with tech leaders, federal innovators, and anyone navigating the future of intelligent systems.
To connect with Manuel, visit his LinkedIn page here.To learn more about APV, visit their website here.
If you liked listening to this episode, click here to view more in this series. To view all of our podcast series, visit our podcast page.