Alex Baloga

Do you have the support you need? I was fortunate enough to attend the Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF conference in Worcester yesterday. One of the speakers said, "Every company needs a BAIL," which is a term I had not heard. He broke it out: 🔴 B- Banker 🔴 A- Accountant 🔴 I- Insurance person 🔴 L- Lawyer And, while I completely agree, I think the list should be longer. I'd add: 🔴 Community (like my friends at TRIBE HQ, Thrive, Startup Boston, & Boston Founders Forum) Service Providers (Marketing folks, Boutique staffing firms, Fractional CXOs, etc.) 🔴 Associations (Around your specific business type, where you can go to be kept abreast of changes that impact you and your business like AFCEA International, ITServe Alliance, or Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF) What companies, services, or groups would you add to your company support network? Share in the comments below!

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‘Stuck on Stupid’: The Real Problem Behind Election Losses Faulty analysis and ignoring the real issues won’t fix election losses. It’s time to get serious about building a coalition. https://lnkd.in/etSrr_rk #ElectionAnalysis #CoalitionBuilding #VoterEngagement #PoliticalStrategy #DataDriven #EmpowerChange #RolandMartinUnfiltered #BlackStarNetwork

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Okay folks, here's an example of what you're going to see a lot more of this FY because of the extended CRs this year....RFI requests with market research responses due in less than 2 weeks (this one is 11 calendar days). Simple tips to respond: ✅️ Don't over think the responses to each point. It's not a proposal. ✅️ Answer only what's asked. Don't elaborate. ✅️ Don't get fancy with a bunch of graphics, pictures, or offset quotes. ✅️ Have some canned projects written for this purpose so you can plug and play for the work you want to capture at end of FY. ✅️ Make sure you proof everything. Yes, typos occur but those types of things still matter. It indicates a quality level. Don't skip putting a second set of eyes on it before hitting send. After submission... ✅️ Start tracking the action and working through another bid/no bid decision (and you should do a cursory decision for the RFI response so you're not chasing something that doesn't make sense). ✅️ Prioritize it within other opportunities you are watching. Go after "winners" not the "hopefuls". ✅️ Share with partner offices, potential prime or sub, etc. Start seeking out your team in prep for later. This end of FY is shaping up to be a doozy with RFI requests like this with a short fuse coming out this early.

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Kamala is brat -- but we don't know yet if she'll be president in 2025. Now is a good time to prepare your organization for the new presidential administration, whichever one it is! This takes time and planning. We rounded up a checklist of ways you can prepare, from thinking through audiences and key risks to honing your messaging. Follow Cascade Advisory so you can stay up to date on our latest!

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The 2024 Compliance Report submitted by the U.S. Department of State to Congress outlines the United States' adherence to various arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements. This annual report assesses compliance with treaties on nuclear, chemical, biological, and conventional weapons. #armscontrolcompliance #biologicalweaponscompliance #ChemicalWeaponsConvention #disarmamentinitiatives #globalverificationregime #internationalarmscontrol #nonproliferationagreements #nucleardisarmamentefforts #TreatyonNonProliferation #UStreatyadherence

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https://lnkd.in/grTzD-mA Interesting develpments in New York. The hallmark of a true democracy is keeping a check on those who make decisions at the top. From corporate scandals to banking controversies, India has also seen its share of governance issues. These incidents highlight the need for robust checks on decision-makers across all sectors. I believe the following are some key checks & balances: 1. Implementing regular audits 2. Fostering accountability at all levels 3. Encouraging whistleblowing 4. Minimising discretion By consistently monitoring those in power, we can build stronger, more trustworthy organizations that drive growth while maintaining integrity. #CorporateGovernance #EthicalLeadership #IndianBusiness

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My comments in Politico ahead of the hearings on the President's trade policy agenda in the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees today and tomorrow:

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🚨 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 🚨 The GSA and its Office of Inspector General (OIG) have long debated pricing strategies for MAS contracts. What’s new? The GSA is now involving Congress to help resolve these disagreements, which could lead to significant policy changes. This might bring positive developments for GSA contract holders. Follow me to stay updated as this unfolds—let’s see how this impacts the contracting community! #GSA #govcon #federalcontractors Check out the JD Supra article for more details:

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Exploring the GSA: America’s Federal Agency The General Services Administration (GSA) is a vital Federal Agency responsible for constructing, managing, and preserving government buildings, as well as leasing and managing commercial real estate. They also provide government organizations and the military with professional services, equipment, supplies, and IT through their acquisition solutions. The GSA plays a crucial role in promoting management best practices and efficient government operations through the development of governmentwide policies.What is the GSA? The General Services Administration, also known as the GSA, is a federal agency that serves as a key resource for various government needs. From real estate management to technology transformation, the GSA plays a multifaceted role in ensuring effective and efficient operations within the government.As America's Federal Agency, the GSA acts https://is.gd/aktcFR #Federalgovernmentagency #GeneralServicesAdministration #PublicadministrationintheUS

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WHAT CONTRACTORS CAN EXPECT FROM THE ELECTION The Presidential and Congressional elections will definitely re-shape the federal market in ways both immediate and longer-term. Here are the top five things contractors and their government customers can expect: 1.     Expect FY’25 appropriations to be moved into calendar year 2025. The incoming Senate and White House will want to have a say on how money is allocated from day one. A Republican-controlled House with new members will want the same thing. Expect another CR, perhaps lasting into March, to give them time to do that. This is not an ideal outcome for government agencies or contractors but is similar to what happened in FY’24. That could actually be a “best case” scenario, however, as another possible outcome is a year-long CR.     2.     Expect New Priorities:  President Trump campaigned on improving American infrastructure, curtailing illegal immigration, and improving the economy. He has also supported tariffs for overseas goods and his first term was marked by efforts to drive increased domestic manufacturing. These priorities could present opportunities and challenges to government contractors. Any companies with secure domestic supply chains may find themselves at an advantage, as would any that have technology or other solutions to clamp down on illegal border crossings.    3.     Expect New People: Existing appointees, such as GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan and de facto OFPP Administrator Christine Harada will be leaving their posts between now and January 20th. Thousands of other appointees, including most civilian DOD officials and even some CIO’s, will be joining them. A new team, with the priorities of the new administration, will be coming in. Getting to know these people and their missions will be important.   4.     Expect Rules to Change: The Biden Administration’s use of the federal acquisition system to address socio-economic and other goals will now largely come to a halt. This could mean an end to new Greenhouse Gas, sustainable acquisition, and related rule makings. Recently implemented rules in this area may also be repealed or halted. President Trump, however, may want to use the acquisition system for other purposes, such as national security and Buy American campaigns. Watch this space.   5.     Expect Career Federal Workers To Be On Edge:   During his first term, President Trump proposed a “Schedule F” for some federal workers that would essentially make them “at will” employees.  The President has also said that he wants to try again to decentralize the federal workforce by moving more jobs out of Washington, D.C. This all matters to federal contractors because it creates stress and uncertainty among those they’re trying to work with. This could slow the pace of both business and operations actions.

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Good Morning Ethicists! Check out today’s #EthicsDigest on Inappropriate Endorsement of Candidate Running for Elected Office. Comment below and let us know your thoughts on today’s tip! * * * * * #KaylinWhittinghamNYC #legalethics #ethics #ethicsdigest #professionalresponsibility #lawyer #legalethicslab #kaylinwhittingham #whittinghamlaw #lawyer #lawfirm #discipline #sanction #professionalconduct #misconduct #legalmalpractice #professionaldiscipline #attorneygrievance #disciplinecomplaint #feedispute #legalfees #Kllegal #attorneyfee #professionalethics #attorney #legaleagle #lawoflawyering #lawyerslawyer #nyc #newyork #newyorkstate #newyorkcity #escrow #conflicts #ethicscounsel #ethicslawyer #riskmanagement #ethicsaudit #lawyersconduct #newyorklegalethicslawyer #legalethicseagle #attorneydiscipline #attorneyethics #attorneyconduct #ethical #unethical #Newyorklawyer #newyorkcitylawyer #solo #soloprenure #smallfirm

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Good Morning Ethicists! Check out today’s #EthicsDigest on Diversion to a Monitoring Program During Investigation. Comment below and let us know your thoughts on today’s tip! * * * * * #KaylinWhittinghamNYC #legalethics #ethics #ethicsdigest #professionalresponsibility #lawyer #legalethicslab #kaylinwhittingham #whittinghamlaw #lawyer #lawfirm #discipline #sanction #professionalconduct #misconduct #legalmalpractice #professionaldiscipline #attorneygrievance #disciplinecomplaint #feedispute #legalfees #Kllegal #attorneyfee #professionalethics #attorney #legaleagle #lawoflawyering #lawyerslawyer #nyc #newyork #newyorkstate #newyorkcity #escrow #conflicts #ethicscounsel #ethicslawyer #riskmanagement #ethicsaudit #lawyersconduct #newyorklegalethicslawyer #legalethicseagle #attorneydiscipline #attorneyethics #attorneyconduct #ethical #unethical #Newyorklawyer #newyorkcitylawyer #solo #soloprenure #smallfirm

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GSA Schedule Holders - Don't Miss This!! GSA is planning to release Refresh 22 to its MAS Solicitation 47QSMD20R0001 and an associated mass mod for existing schedule holders in August 2024. GSA will hold a webinar on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 1pm ET. The link to join is https://lnkd.in/gSAT5biS Refresh 22 expands OPTIONAL participation in the Transactional Data Reporting (TDR) pilot to 67 SINs! Make sure you understand what that means to you should you select to participate. Learn more about TDR at https://lnkd.in/g-h8Yn9A The refresh also adds a statement to FAR Clause 52.232-36 under GSAR/M clause SCP-FSS-001 regarding payments made by the Governmentwide Purchase Card (GPC) and related processing fees, that reads: "Proposed prices must be inclusive of all costs associated with acceptance of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card (e.g., payment processing fees). Schedule contractors may not impose a surcharge at the order level for payment by Governmentwide commercial purchase card." This is important so you can recoup processing fees as the Government pushes to expand its use of the GPC into contract payments. Sell software on GSA Schedules? GSAM/R clause I-FSS-600 will be modified to add that MAS contractors MAY indicate if a software producer has attested that software complies with Government-specified secure software development practices and has an attestation form uploaded to the CISA repository by adding language provided in the Refresh under bullet 18b, Terms and Conditions, in their text file. Addinional updates include: ▶ Updates to specific large categories, subcategories, and SINs as follows: ⏩ Facilities (B), Subcategory B02, SIN 541690E ⏩ Industrial Products (E), Subcategory E04, SINs 332510C and 332510S ⏩ Industrial Products (E), Subcategory E05, SIN 325320 ⏩ Transportation and Logistics Services (K), Subcategory K03, SINs 492110 and 492210SB ⏩ Transportation and Logistics Services (K), Subcategory K05, SINs 485 and 532111 ⏩ Travel (L), Subcategory L01, SIN 531 ⏩ Travel (L), Subcategory L02, SIN 531110 ▶ Implement minor revisions to the Modification Products Price Proposal Template (PPT) ▶ Incorporate clause and provision updates, through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05 and GSAR/M Change 182 Details can be found at https://lnkd.in/grVYMCnf #gsa #schedules #refresh22 #massmod #MAS

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