From Prototype to Program of Record: What It Really Takes to Transition in GovCon

Turning innovation into operational capability is where most GovCon efforts stall. In this episode of GovCon Unscripted, Chelsea Roberts sits down with Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse Integration, to unpack what it actually takes to move from early-stage R&D to programs of record.Sumner shares how Fuse has navigated the SBIR and STTR ecosystem, progressed through multiple phase three transitions, and avoided the “valley of death” that traps so many small businesses. He explains why constant warfighter engagement, operational testing, and embedding veterans inside program teams create what he calls “unfair advantages.”The conversation also explores why user experience matters in defense networking, how legacy platforms shape design constraints, and what small companies must do to survive real-world demonstrations, exercises, and mission environments.Timestamps07:01 – Fuse Integration’s mission and network focus10:25 – Using SBIR to transition real capability21:11 – Why warfighter access determines success31:20 – Operational execution during exercises35:02 – Leadership, culture, and resilienceResourcesSumner Lee's LinkedIn pageFuse Integration's LinkedInFuse integration's Instagram LinkFuse Integration's Facebook LinkChelsea Roberts' LinkedIn page🎧 Listen now on:🔹 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/govcon-unscripted/id1766384482🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NL0kFAvmgECLTJpUZYNHyLike and follow us:🔹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GovConUnscriptedUS🔹 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/govconunscriptedpodcast/🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/govcon-unscripted/posts/Join our #govcon #community:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14618490/New to GovCon? Here’s a guide for you:https://share.hsforms.com/288nO18bsRCCmdJZL66pClwbzmvx21 AI Prompts to Supercharge Your GovCon BD Engine:https://collaborativecompositions.com/21-ai-prompts-to-supercharge-your-govcon-bd-engine/