Joe Lynch

Applying for Medical CBRN Defense Consortium (MCDC) membership? Plan ahead to complete the Military Critical Technical Data Agreement (DD Form 2345). Is your MedTech, Biotech or Pharma company wanting to join MCDC or looking to access unclassified technical data with military or space applications? DD Form 2345 is required to access these resources. The application process requires careful attention to detail, a Joint Certification Portal (JCP) account, and a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Assessment.   Many OSD-sponsored consortia require prospective members to obtain a DD Form 2345 before joining. This certification establishes eligibility for contractors from both the U.S. and Canada to receive technical data governed by DoD Directive 5230.25 (U.S.) and Technical Data Control Regulations (Canada).   𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗯𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗗𝗗𝟮𝟯𝟰𝟱: 1. You must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) 2. You must have an active CAGE Code 3. You must be a U.S. or Canadian owned company 4. The Data Custodian must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen 5. You must complete Proper Handling of Export Controlled Technical Data Training 6. You must complete an NIST Assessment 7. You must upload your NIST Assessment to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS)   𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 • Register in the System for Award Management (SAM) to obtain a UEI and CAGE Code that are linked to your current business address • Verify that your SAM registration is current and not expired   𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗖𝗣 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Create a new Organization in JCP (from the actions drop down on the Dashboard page) using your Organization's CAGE Code • Then, create a new JCP Certification Request and follow the Block 4 Instructions carefully   𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Upload your completed and signed DD Form 2345 to the JCP Portal (faxes and emails are no longer accepted) • Include supporting documentation with the same company name as listed in Block 2.a. of the form Allow sufficient processing time - submit renewals at least 60 days before expiration   Be aware that processing times can vary significantly based on application volume and accuracy. Recent experiences indicate a range from several weeks to 2-3 months if errors are present in your submission.   The good news? There are no fees associated with obtaining or maintaining JCP certification. For assistance with the process, contact JCP-Helpdesk@dla.mil for general questions or JCP-Admin@dla.mil for specific questions about form submissions. ✅ Resources to help you get started are linked in the comments.   Have you gone through the DD Form 2345 certification process for your small business? What challenges did you encounter?   Stay up to date on all things MILMED R&D. Please join our MILMED Connect Funding Insider newsletter >> Link in the comments.

7

2 Comments

We polled 100 C-suite executives across Defense, National Security, Aerospace, Aviation, and Space Tech—and here's what stopped us in our tracks: The biggest challenge isn’t funding. It’s not hiring. It’s not tech. It’s decision fatigue—the silent drain caused by constant complexity and mission-critical pressure. Here’s what leaders told us they need most: Clarity without oversimplifying Teams that think strategically and execute precisely Trusted partners who understand the terrain, not just the title Translation: They don’t need more dashboards. They need sharper discernment. They need leadership that doesn’t flinch under pressure. At Thomas & Taylor Search Partners, we don’t just fill Executive roles—we fortify the leadership core with executives who thrive in high-stakes environments. Want the full data set? We’re releasing an exclusive executive brief next week. Drop a “Send it” in the comments and we’ll put it in your hands first. #ExecutiveLeadership #DefenseIndustry #NationalSecurity #AerospaceLeadership #SpaceTech #CLevelSearch #ThomasAndTaylorSearchPartners

4

Companies everywhere are being told to “do more with less” right now. Budgets are tightening. Headcount is being reduced. But the mission isn’t getting smaller — and the workload definitely isn’t. What we’re seeing across defense, federal, and commercial organizations: It’s not that teams need more people. It’s that highly capable people are spending massive amounts of time on manual, repetitive, low-value tasks, like: • Cleaning and formatting data • Rewriting the same documents again and again • Re-entering updates in multiple systems • Generating compliance, status, and reporting deliverables • Moving information between SharePoint / Teams / Email / CRMs • Creating analysis summaries by hand This is the work that slows decision advantage, execution tempo, and operational agility. If your team is feeling stretched, or you’ve lost personnel but the mission tempo hasn’t slowed — we can help you reclaim time, reduce friction, and increase performance within weeks, not quarters. If you’d like a no-pressure walkthrough of where the quick wins usually are, comment “capacity” and I’ll share it — or DM me directly. #AI #DataStrategy #DigitalTransformation #Automation #DoD #GovCon #DefenseInnovation #PublicSectorInnovation #MissionSupport #OperationalExcellence #AIForGood #Efficiency #WorkforceTransformation #DataOps #MLOps #IntelligenceCommunity #NationalSecurity #GovernmentContracting #EmergingTech #FutureOfWork #TechLeadership #C2 #DataFusion #EnterpriseAI #Analytics #MissionFocused

6

Why Military Transition Support Is a Defense Contractor Responsibility Defense contractors rely heavily on military-trained talent. We recruit it, build programs around it, and depend on it to deliver mission outcomes. Yet when service members transition out of uniform, support often ends exactly when it’s needed most. From a defense contractor perspective, this isn’t a goodwill issue—it’s a workforce and readiness issue. The Transition Gap Is Costing Industry Talent Veterans don’t struggle because they lack discipline or resilience. They struggle because the transition system is fragmented and misaligned with how industry actually hires, onboards, and develops people. The result is predictable: • Early attrition • Role misalignment • Lost clearances and sunk onboarding costs • High-potential leaders exiting the defense ecosystem altogether This isn’t a veteran failure. It’s a handoff failure between government and industry. Hiring Veterans Is Not the Same as Supporting Transition Most contractors engage after separation—when identity loss, financial stress, and cultural friction have already set in. At that point, onboarding can’t fix what should have been addressed earlier. If contractors want veterans to succeed and stay, engagement must begin before separation, not after Day One. Why Defense Contractors Must Lead Defense contractors are uniquely positioned to fix this because they: • Understand military culture • Control hiring pipelines and role design • Influence training, credentialing, and advancement • Measure retention, not just hiring numbers Transition support isn’t charity. It’s talent optimization and risk reduction. The Cost of Doing Nothing When transition fails, contractors absorb the impact: • Turnover and rehiring costs • Program disruption • Lost leadership capacity • Long-term pipeline instability Veterans don’t disengage quietly—they leave companies, contracts, and sometimes the workforce entirely. What Real Support Looks Like Effective transition support includes: • Early pre-separation engagement • Clear translation of military experience into contractor roles • Mentorship focused on navigating the organization—not just performing the job • Leadership accountability for veteran outcomes beyond hiring Most importantly, it requires ownership of the outcome, not delegation. A Direct Ask to Industry Leaders If you’re serious about hiring and retaining veterans, transition support must be treated as a strategic function—not a branding effort. Hiring is the entry point. Retention is the return. Transition is the multiplier. I’m actively working with leaders who want to move beyond appreciation and into execution—and I can show you how to build transition pathways that work for both veterans and your business. If you’re a decision maker and ready to fix this, let’s talk. Who will be the first to step up? #VeteranTransition #DefenseIndustry #Leadership #TalentStrategy #Accountability

7

1 Comment

After years in the #GovCon world and now here at GovDash, one truth keeps proving itself: Most companies don’t lose because of competitors, they lose because of poor qualification. Too often, pipelines get padded with opportunities that: ◆ Should never have been pursued in the first place ◆ Haven’t been properly scrubbed or updated ◆ Create a false sense of confidence about what’s really in play The organizations that consistently win aren’t chasing everything. They’re disciplined. They know which opportunities align with their strengths, and they’re not afraid to walk away from the ones that don’t. That discipline isn’t just good practice. In federal contracting, discipline is strategy. Curious, how does your team approach qualification? Do you have a “go/no-go” framework that helps you focus where it really matters? #GovCon #Federal #CaptureManagement #BusinessDevelopment #PublicSector #GovDash

33

What's actually working for Federal-to-Consultant transition? Last week I spoke to an expert who, after 25 years in Air Force acquisition, now earns $10K/month advising defense contractors—working on her own schedule, choosing her clients, sharing only publicly available knowledge. Her success isn't unusual. It's repeatable. But here' the reality many transitioning professionals face: they excel at managing billion-dollar programs and navigating complex stakeholder environments. But when it comes to monetizing that expertise they hit three walls hit hard. 1️⃣ Translation Problem - The resume says "program management." Contractors need to hear "I can help you win contracts and avoid costly compliance mistakes." 2️⃣ Connection Challenge - Cold outreach goes nowhere. Traditional networking takes months. Decision-makers are hard to reach when they actually need you. 3️⃣ Compliance Paralysis - Post-government employment rules are complex. Many either inadvertently violate them or become so cautious they miss legitimate opportunities. What's Working Now: ✅ Reframe for Commercial Value - Stop leading with your GS level. Start with the problems you solve. That procurement expertise? It's worth $250-500/hour to contractors navigating federal RFPs. ✅ Leverage Platform Economics - Platforms like OnFrontiers connect federal expertise directly with contractors who have active pursuits. No cold calling. Pre-qualified clients come to you. ✅ Build While You Serve - Start positioning yourself before you leave. Understand what contractors actually struggle with (hint: it's decoding requirements and understanding evaluation criteria). ✅ Focus on Public Knowledge - You don't need to share secrets. Your understanding of publicly available processes, standards, and best practices is gold to contractors. Real Results: * Michael (retired DHS cyber): $15K/month * Jennifer (former VA PM): $400/hour reviewing healthcare IT proposals * David (ex-DoD logistics): Replaced his government salary in 2 months The federal workforce is evolving. Contractors need guides who understand the landscape. Your expertise has never been more valuable—if you know how to position it. What's been your biggest surprise in transitioning from federal service? #FederalTransition #GovCon #ConsultingSuccess #FederalExpertise #CareerPivot

21

2 Comments

Recently released draft RFPs, including Army MAPS, SOCOM SOFGSD and AFRL AMAC, are requiring offers to come exclusively from individual entities with their own UEI and CAGE Code. This is an error that will either a) prevent bids from qualified corporations that have multiple subsidiaries or affiliates with separate UEIs and CAGE Codes, or b) force corporations to submit multiple bids from their subsidiaries. MDA SHIELD has many more awardees than necessary because of this approach. A simple fix is to allow offerors to submit letters that explain how the subsidiaries exist under a single corporate umbrella.

32

3 Comments

Most veterans value their startup equity packages at $0.00, mostly because they don't want to sound stupid asking about questions it. So here are some things you should be asking about in the interview (closer to offer) process: -Type of equity ISO/NSO/RSU -Current 409a valuation and when they anticipate the next one -What % of the company does the package represent, fully diluted. -Expiration window -Vesting schedule -Any liquidation preferences -Who lead investors are And finally, here's one I like a lot because it tests if the recruiters have done their homework as well. "If the company and I perform exceptionally well over the next 4 years, what's a realistic dollar value for this equity package?" They should have dollar amounts pre-set for you to see at reasonable (depending on stage) enterprise valuations, $100m, $500m, $1b, $10b etc.

42

10 Comments

Across federal healthcare environments, clinicians and healthcare leaders operate in systems where patient safety, compliance, and readiness are deeply interconnected. Joint Commission certification provides an important framework, but what ultimately matters is how those standards are executed in real clinical environments. I am proud of our teams across SHR who work every day to uphold these principles while supporting military and veteran healthcare systems nationwide.

4

I recently had the privilege of engaging with military leaders across multiple Commands. While their missions varied, a common question consistently surfaced: Can forces adapt to rapidly changing Rules of Engagement (ROE) without increasing mission risk or compromising safety? What stood out in these conversations is how dramatically the operational landscape has shifted. Commands are now expected to implement ROE changes in days, not weeks. That reality is driving a clear operational focus on: - Rapid acknowledgment of orders to achieve mission‑ready status - Immediate access to current documentation, OJT, and qualification records, especially when assets are repurposed for new mission profiles - Interoperability of guidance and orders, which is essential to reducing errors during coalition operations I’m grateful for the candid discussions and the opportunity to learn from leaders operating at the edge of today’s complex missions. One takeaway resonated strongly: Success now depends on the ability to adapt quickly, while maintaining control and confidence in execution.

29

The obituary of JCIDS (the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System) caught my attention this week. It was framed as the end of an era in defense acquisition … and it made me think about how different industries process endings. In healthcare, when something goes wrong, we don’t (or at least, we shouldn’t) focus on blame and who perpetuated the problems. A hospital postmortem is about identifying systemic failures, understanding why they happened, and preventing recurrence. It’s a pause to reflect and learn before moving forward. That’s what I see here: the end of JCIDS isn’t just closing the book on a rigid, requirements-based system. It’s a chance to shift toward problem-based, adaptive approaches that welcome non-traditional vendors, iterative experimentation, and yes — AI. But here’s the catch: faster doesn’t always mean better. Just because we CAN move at AI-speed doesn’t mean we should skip the PAUSE that keeps us from tossing out the BABY (interoperability standards, governance, safety checks, and ethical guardrails) with the BATHWATER (the rigidity of JCIDS). Otherwise, we’re just setting ourselves for next baby's postmortem. And please, don’t come after me! It’s an AI baby, not a real one! The way this era ends matters. If we treat it like a hospital postmortem in a Just culture — with reflection, transparency, and systemic accountability — we won’t just close a chapter. We’ll write a stronger one. The AI era gives us the tools to sprint. The opportunity is to sprint thoughtfully.

1

Firestorm cut drone production time from nine months to three weeks with support from Booz Allen Hamilton Ventures. Hear Firestorm CEO Dan Magy 🏴‍☠️ discuss what this shift means for defense innovation. Watch here. https://lnkd.in/gQBk5PK6 Joanna Guy

78

1 Comment

What I’m Watching: Consolidation Is Reshaping the Playing Field Across DoD, HHS, and the Intelligence Community, I continue to see consolidation into larger vehicles and Best-in-Class pathways. This changes more than who wins. It changes who can sustain performance. As contract vehicles scale, evaluation pressure shifts toward: • Compliance maturity • Reporting rigor • Integration across domains • Workforce depth • Ability to execute in contested environments Winning access to a vehicle is now table stakes. Sustained execution is the REAL differentiator. The next 3–5 years will reward organizations that treat acquisition discipline as a strategic function. Open to jump on a call and discuss execution. #GovCon

2

1 Comment

Big news from April 2025 still echoing: The Pentagon's $𝟱.𝟭 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘅𝗲! chopping IT & consulting deals. ✂️ This clearly signaled changes in defense spending. What got cut? • $𝟭.𝟴𝗕 in DHA consulting 🩺 • $𝟭.𝟰𝗕 Air Force cloud services  ☁️ • Other major IT & consulting agreements! The move stirred controversy around expertise, budget priorities, and even the role of outside influence. ⚖️ Are you seeing the long-term effects of this shake-up?

6

If you are transitioning out of the military or are a vet and want to save some easy money, here’s what actually worked for me.. 1. Once you’re officially a veteran, those credit cards with annual fees don’t stay free. About 30 days after I separated, I got letters saying I’d owe nearly $2,000 in annual fees if I didn’t cancel. Keep only the cards you truly need because companies automatically check status now. Fee waivers are for active duty only. 2. Check VR&E before buying school gear. They may cover a computer, desk, and even provide a living stipend if you qualify. 3. For most, you used roaming data because at least for me, there was never reliable WiFi. Downgrade your phone plan. Saved $30 a month. 4. Go through your bank statements and look at all your recurring charges…Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify, etc.. and anything else on autopay. It’s easy to carry these with a steady paycheck. Pause the ones you don’t actually need right now. This saved me $40 a month 5. More unconventional take. Learn to cut your own hair. Seriously. Clippers, good lighting, a 3 sided mirror. If you mess up, it grows back. And come on… it can’t be worse than a BX haircut 🤭This saved me $50 a month. 6. Don’t pay someone to write your resume for insane prices. I used Best Military Resume and was genuinely blown away by how well it worked. That experience alone is exactly why I asked Brad Tachi to join the team. 7. Lastly this can apply to everyone, but move extra cash to a high-yield savings account. It’s not investing or gambling, literally just earning interest instead of letting money sit idle. Have $50K saved? That’s a free $120+ month. Hope this helps someone starting their next chapter, this was my experience and it’s worked so far! 🚨 Repost to help a vet out! #militarytips #veterans #transitioningservicemember #veteran #militaryhelp

82

34 Comments

San Antonio’s VelocityTX just partnered with the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Their new co-op research deal connects startups to Army, Air Force, and Navy labs, data, and equipment at VelocityTX’s biotech hub. No funding, but shared resources. For your team: • Build wound scoring or analytics with Army’s Institute of Surgical Research (onsite). • Develop HIPAA-compliant infection predictors on DHA’s simulated nets. • Field medic AI to civilian telemed. FDA path cut 6–12 months. • Networking hub: Join ProPEL (May 30, 2025) or AIM Summit (June 16-17, 2025) to connect with BAMC and 59th Med Wing for sub-projects. • VelocityTX’s $60M “collision center” (Q2 2026) will streamline deploys. Think AI for field medic decision support, post-op infection predictors, or telemed for remote bases. All battle-tested, then rolled out to clinics. If you're bootstrapping med tech, relocate here, or partner remotely. #HealthcareAI #MilMed #BioTech https://lnkd.in/gt_sbhYE

19

1 Comment

31 class deviations. 30 DFARS parts revised. Effective December 18, 2025. The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul just hit DoD contracting. Miss these changes, and your next proposal quotes dead language. Three Executive Orders drove this. EO 14275 on common sense procurement. EO 14265 on defense acquisition modernization. OMB Memo M-25-26 mandates the FAR overhaul. DoD moved fast, using class deviations as interim measures while formal rulemaking catches up. What actually changed? Acquisition planning streamlined. Parts 207 and 210 cut documentation burdens for market research and planning. Less paperwork. Faster timelines. Commercial products prioritized. Part 212 revisions push COTS-first. If commercial solutions exist, custom development becomes harder to justify. Competition rules simplified. Part 206 changes reduce barriers to entry. More pathways for nontraditional vendors to compete on an equal footing. Emergency acquisitions accelerated. Part 218 revisions speed up urgent capability delivery. When speed matters, bureaucracy steps aside. Contract financing improved. Part 232 updates help contractors working on government programs improve cash flow. Simplified acquisition procedures expanded. Part 213 revisions raise thresholds and reduce friction for smaller buys. More work is moving under simplified procedures rather than full FAR compliance. The scope is broad. Everything from bonds and insurance (Part 228) to R&D contracting (Part 235) to IT acquisition (Part 239) got touched. Even value engineering (Part 248) and termination procedures (Part 249) were revised. Reality check for contractors. These deviations apply to new solicitations, contracts, task orders, and delivery orders issued on or after December 18, 2025. Some ongoing actions have exceptions. RFO definitions supersede FAR 2.101 where conflicts arise. If you're quoting old FAR language in proposals, verify it still applies. Full line-out documents showing strikethroughs and revisions are posted on the official DoD acquisition site. Review them before your next submission. The government just removed excuses for slow procurement. Contractors who can't match that velocity will watch faster competitors take their share. How many of these 31 deviations has your team actually read? ---------- Like this content? Join our newsletter. Link located below my name 👆

20

7 Comments