Reporting on supplier diversity.

How to become a BAE Systems diverse supplier

BAE Systems' U.S. operations are a $14 billion defense contractor with active small business subcontracting programs. This guide covers portal registration, which …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to become an Accenture diverse supplier

Accenture is a $64 billion consulting and technology services firm with a formal diverse supplier program and public spending goals. This guide …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How corporate supplier diversity programs actually work

Corporate supplier diversity programs operate as internal advocacy and tracking functions within large procurement organizations. Understanding who actually makes buying decisions — …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Guide · 10 min

Grants for women-owned businesses in 2026: what is real and what to skip

Most grant programs marketed to women business owners are either extremely competitive federal R&D grants, underfunded state programs with three applicants per …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Food and catering company WOSB federal contracting guide

Woman-owned food service and catering companies can access federal set-aside contracts through the WOSB program. Military dining facilities, federal agency cafeterias, and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

CDFI loans for diverse small businesses: how to find and qualify

CDFIs are mission-driven lenders that reach borrowers conventional banks decline. They use flexible underwriting, offer technical assistance, and actively seek diverse small …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

What happens to your 8(a) contracts if your ownership changes

SBA requires prior approval before any transfer of ownership in an 8(a) firm. Do it without approval and your contracts are at …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

When the 8(a) mentor-protege joint venture actually makes sense

The 8(a) mentor-protege program lets a small 8(a) firm joint venture with a large business mentor and bid on contracts the small …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to add NAICS codes to your 8(a) profile

Your 8(a) profile has a primary NAICS code and up to several secondary codes. The codes in your profile determine which sole-source …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Subcontracting disputes on federal projects: when primes and subs disagree

Federal subcontracts sit in a legal gray zone where commercial dispute norms often don't apply. Knowing the specific tools available — and …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

State-level set-aside programs for diverse contractors: how they differ from federal

Federal set-aside rules get most of the attention, but state programs carry real teeth on transportation, construction, and publicly funded contracts. The …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

When prime contractors can use a joint venture to meet small business requirements

A joint venture with a qualifying small business can win a small business set-aside, but the rules are stricter than most BD …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Mentor-protégé programs for large prime contractors: what you get and what you commit to

Mentor-protégé programs give large prime contractors a direct path to joint venture eligibility with small businesses and credit toward subcontracting goals. The …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to find WOSB subcontractors for federal projects and corporate supply chains

WOSB certification has two tracks — self-certified and third-party — and the distinction matters when you're documenting subcontracting goals. Here's where to …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Finding SDVOSB subcontractors: directories, verification, and common mistakes

Since January 2023, SDVOSB self-certification is gone. Here is exactly where to find verified veteran-owned subcontractors and how to confirm their status …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Mentor-protégé versus teaming agreements: when to use each for federal bids

Both arrangements let a prime partner with a small business on federal work, but they operate under different rules, carry different risks, …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Win themes in federal proposal writing: what they are and how to use them

Most federal proposals describe capabilities. Win themes argue for selection. Here's how to identify the 3-5 discriminating reasons an evaluator should pick …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

SBIR Phase I proposals: how to write a winning one without prior SBIR experience

SBIR Phase I awards typically run $150K–$300K to prove technical feasibility. Here's the exact structure agencies use to score proposals and what …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

SBA size determinations: how to calculate your size and what triggers a protest

Getting your size calculation wrong can cost you a federal contract — and a competitor who loses to you will often check …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Federal proposal color teams: pink, red, gold, and what each review catches

Color team reviews are the internal quality gates that separate winning proposals from compliant-but-losing ones. Here's what each team actually looks for …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

POLARIS GWAC guide for WOSB and small business IT contractors

GSA's POLARIS contract is one of the few governmentwide acquisition vehicles built specifically for women-owned small businesses. Here's how to get on …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

How to read a federal Performance Work Statement before writing a proposal

The Performance Work Statement is the contract inside the solicitation. Read it wrong and your proposal answers the wrong question. Here is …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey

Past performance narratives for federal proposals: structure and what evaluators look for

A poorly structured past performance section can sink a technically strong proposal. Here is the format evaluators expect and the specifics that …

Jun 11, 2026 · Mario Bailey