PODCAST · business
Amtower Off-Center
by Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio
Hosted by nationally-known speaker and consultant Mark Amtower, Amtower Off-Center highlights the good, the bad, the ugly and the just plain silly of doing business in the government market. Every week experts join Mark for a lively discussion of current issues facing the government contractor community.
Episodes
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The market conditions in GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Judy Bradt, CEO of Summit Insight for a wide-ranging discussion on GovCon market conditions, especially those impacting smaller contractors. Topics discussed include: What to do to address the pending size standard changes for small...
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Mergers & acquisitions in GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Sharon Heaton, founder and CEO of SB LiftOff, an M&A firm specializing in small government contractors ($10M-$100M). Topics include: A brief discussion of Sharon's book: "Lift Off: 12 Things to Know Before Selling Your Business" A…
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Harnessing the power of AI
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brenda Crist of Lohfeld Consulting to discuss the new Lohfeld "Insight" book: From Prompts to Proposals: An AI Maturity Model. Topics include: What AI can do vs what humans should do Tactical ways to apply AI in proposal development...
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Learning how to sell to the federal government
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Neil McDonnell, founder and president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, a small contractor SME and advisor. Topics addressed include: Why subcontracting should precede prime contracting for small contractors until they reach a…
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The top 100 contractors in 2026
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Ross Wilkers, senior staff Reporter for Washington Technology. They discuss the recently released WT Top 100 contractors. Topics include: 11 new companies made the list for 2026 Many were heavily focused on defense and law…
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The current market climate for contractors
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly, president of FedSubK and a former federal acquisition professional. Topics discussed include: The current market climate, especially issues impacting small contractors The problems facing companies with various...
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An analysis of Deltek's 17th annual Clarity study
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Kevin Plexico, executive vice president of Deltek. The interview focuses on Deltek's 17th annual Clarity study which covers a multitude of issues in the government contracting arena. Issues discussed include: The impact of AI across…
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Changes in the government procurement arena
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Katie Helwig, self-proclaimed OASIS+ nerd and founder/president of Mild Red LLC. The discussion focuses on the multiple changes on the proposal and bidding side of the market. Topics include LPTA and HTRO methods of procurement, where...
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The small business environment in GovCon
For the first show of year 19 for Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Shauna Weatherly of FedSubK for a candid discussion about the small business environment in GovCon. Topics include: 8(a) audits and the materials required by SBA, which resulted in the initial suspension of 1,000...
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The annual Hinge High Growth Study
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Karl Feldman, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, to discuss the findings of the annual Hinge High Growth Study. Topics discussed include tactics used by high growth companies such as: Research to determine best marketing & BD tools...
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Like: The button that changed the world
Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute returns to Amtower Off Center to discuss his latest book. "Like: The Button That Changed the World". Topics include: The evolution of the Like button What the creation and adoption of the button reveals about technical innovation Why the button is...
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The Strategic Enemy
Laura Ries, chairwoman of Reis Consulting and author of multiple business strategy books, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss her latest book: The Strategic Enemy. Topics include: Building your brand with an "enemy" in mind Branding mistakes entrepreneurs make The...
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Branding & thought leadership
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Evan Weisel, principal and co-founder of W2 Communications for a discussion on thought leadership in GovCon. Topics discussed include: What constitutes thought leadership for our market Thought leadership examples including white...
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Navigating the current GovCon environment
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Kaamil Khan, president of Makpar Corporation, a small IT services firm. Topics discussed include: Khan's journey to become president of the family owned business, leveraging his law degree and a natural talent for BD Makpar's...
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A deep dive into government contracting
This week on Amtower Off Center, Kevin Plexico, SVP of Deltek, joins host Mark Amtower for a deep discussion on the current state of government contracting. Topics include: YTD contract activity vs FY 24, and how it has impacted spending The impact on SIs, VARs, small contractors and others...
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State of the GovCon market
This week on Amtower Off Center, Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion on the state of the GovCon market as reflected by the WashTech 2025 Top 100 contractors. Topics discussed include: First year-over-year decline in prime...
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The state of the SmartPay program
Shauna Weatherly, former govie and now founder and president of FebSubK,joins host MarkAmtower for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the SmartPay (government charge card) program. Topics include: The charge card program background from inception in the late 1980s How it works and why...
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The Trump administation's executive orders and their impact on GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology for a wide-ranging, candid discussion of the new administration's executive orders impacting the GovCon industry. Topics include: The order from GSA to investigate…
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Managing the presidential transition
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovNavigators co-founder Robert Shea for a very lively discussion on the upcoming administration. Topics include: Managing the transition Major policy shifts What are some of the priorities for DOD DOGE and the impending efficiencies...
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Breaking the standard
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Aubrey Gainfort, by day a federal contracting officer, and after work host of the Breaking the Standard podcast, which is nearing its 5th anniversary. Topics discussed include: Five things contractors need to do Five things…
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Tips on how to bid for government contracts
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Lindholm, founder and managing principal at FedSavvy Strategies for a discussion on the myriad of sources available to government contractors for researching before bidding. Topics include: What open source intel is available…
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The 2024 Fast 50 government contractors
Ross Wilkers, senior reporter for Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a follow-up interview, this time addressing the Washington Technology Fast 50 contractors. The list includes fifty companies that submitted financial data to WashTech to verify...
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An expert's take on B2G content
Chris Parente of Story Tech Consulting joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a wide ranging discussion on B2G content. Topics discussed include: The value of a content calendar Developing your own/your company POV Listening when customers and prospects talk as they are…
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Current trends in the GovCon market
This week on Amtower Off Center, Ross Wilkers, senior reporter with Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for a wide-ranging discussion regarding current events in the government market. Topics discussed include: Market trends M&A activity across the market VC activity becoming even more...
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The Trust Paradigm
Author, consultant and speaker Andy Fry joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center for a discussion of two of Fry's books: The Consultant's Code and The Trust Paradigm. Topics discussed include: The 4 pillars of consulting (intelligence, effort, likeability and intent) with a brief...
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Regulation changes & other issues in contracting
This week on Amtower Off Center, Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, joins host Mark Amtower to discuss current issues in contracting including upcoming changes in regulations. Topics include: The recurring issue of contractors failing to deliver on what was promised in…
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The evolution of podcasting in GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Jacobs of the Merritt Group for a discussion on the evolution and current state of podcasting, especially as it pertains to GovCon. Topics include: The advent of podcasts with other Web 2.0 tools in the late 1990s, early 2000s...
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Branding in GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing, who returns for a lively discussion on branding in GovCon. Topics discussed include: Do small contractors understand the power of branding and how to implement it Key…
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End of Fiscal Year marketing
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by GovCon marketing expert Lisa Sherwin Wulf of LSW Marketing. Topics discussed include: End of FY marketing Things NOT to do at end of FY Content and when to gate your content End of FY events See Privacy Policy at...
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The 2024 High Growth Study
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Elizabeth Harr, managing partner of Hinge Marketing, for a wide-ranging conversation focused on Hinge's latest study, the 2024 High Growth Study. The study is conducted annually and is a detailed survey of high growth professional...
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Q4 do's and don'ts
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners and a regular on Federal News Network. The wide-ranging conversation covers: Q4 do's and don'ts Issues around the GSA Schedule program, including why many do not require a...
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All things SmartPay
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Brian Stauffer, CEO of Paperless Innovations at Actus, for a wide-ranging discussion on issues regarding the government purchase card- SmartPay. Topics include: The possible increase in both micro-purchase and simplified acquisition...
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The keys to winning government contracts
This week on Amtower Off Center, Dr Bob Frey, author author of Successful Proposal Strategies On-the Go and principal of Successful Proposal Strategies LLC, joins host Mark Amtower for a discussion on winning proposals. Topics discussed include:. The six functional areas needed for winning...
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Navigating the capture process
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by capture guru Jennifer Namvar, CEO of The Peerless Group. Namvar developed a multi-point "cheat sheet" on the capture process, which we discuss on the show. Topics include: The fundamentals of opportuities Acquisition timing and…
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The value of GovCon associations
This week onAmtower Off Center, GovCon expert Katie Helwig of MildRed joins host Mark Amtower to discuss the value of GovCon associations. Topics include: Creating visibility in GovCon The GovCon association landscape Criteria for selecting the association which will be best for you Getting...
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An overview of generative AI
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower interviews Fergal McGovern, CEO of Visible Thread. Visible Thread(VT) provides support tools and processes for the contractor side of the proposal community, especially in the evolving area of generative AI. Topics include: Fergal's background…
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The "do's and don'ts" of GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower starts year 18 at Federal News Network with guest Kevine Jans, president of Skyway Acquisition and host of the Contracting Officer's Podcast. Topics include: Kevin's background as a DOD contracting officer prior to Skyway Starting his podcast 10...
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The top contracting stories of 2023
This week on Amtower Off Center, Nick Wakeman, editor in chief of Washington Technology, joins host Mark Amtower for an animated and wide-ranging discussion of the biggest issues facing contractors. Topics include: The top stories of 2023-24 M&A trends and activity The increasing role of private...
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25 things all small busines contractors should know
This week on Amtower Off Center, Host Mark Amtower interviews contract funding expert Teresa Moon of Parabilis on a wide variety of issues facing smaller contractors and those new to the market. Our topics include: Is your product or service viable in GovCon and have you done enough research to...
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All things ACT-IAC
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by ACT-IAC CEO Dave Wennergren for a lively and wide-ranging discussion about ACT-IAC. Topics include: a brief history of ACT-IAC the mission of the organization professional development opportunities committees and communities of...
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All things AI
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Peter Erickson of MoDev, producer of the GovAI Summit. Topics discussed include: the current evolutionary stepping point in technology that AI, ML and LLM represent a little historical perspective on what brought us to this point,...
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Using artificial intelligence to improve contract proposals
Government proposal guru Carl Dickson joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss several recent topics Dickson has written about, including: 5 Ways to use AI to Improve proposals 14 ways to determine if your proposal is any good How branding can hurt your proposals 10...
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Hard Talk: Confessions of an Accidental Marketing and Communications Professional
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Eileen Rivera, Federal MarCom leader and the author of Hard Talk: Confessions of an Accidental Marketing and Communications Professional. Topics discussed include: Why did you write Hard Talk? Who is the audience Dealing with...
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Branding & marketing in GovCon
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by fellow GovCon consultant Mike LeJeune ofRSM Federal for a wide ranging discussion on branding and marketing in GovCon. Topics include: Defining your market niche Being able to enunciate your market position in 90 seconds or less Why...
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Trends in the government market
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Kevin Plexico, senior vice president of Information Solutions at Deltek, to discuss the latest Clarity Study. Clarity is Deltek's annual study on trends and contractors perspectives of the government market. Topics discussed include:...
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The Visible Expert Revolution
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by Lee Frederiksen of Hinge Marketing to discuss Lee's new book, The Visible Expert Revolution. Topics discussed include: What is a visible expert The value of visible experts to a company Steps to become a visible expert Five styles of...
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Marketing strategies to boost small businesses
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by business strategy advisor Shirley Collier of Scale2Market. Topics revolved around strategies for small business growth, including: understanding and controlling how your company is perceived in the market using data to assess market...
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A discussion of the current GovCon landscape
This week on Amtower Off Center, host Mark Amtower is joined by contracts guru Larry Allen, to discuss the current GovCon landscape. Topics include: Three GSA audit issues to watch out for End of FY spending and the possibility of a shutdown at the beginning of FY 24 GSA OASIS+ RFP hitting the...
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An expert's take on ChatGPT
Digital marketing pioneer and Evalueserve Vice President Geoff Livingston, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
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All things Zero Trust
Hansang Bae, Public Sector chief technologist for Zscaler, joins host Mark Amtower on this week's Amtower Off Center to discuss zero trust, and why its adoption has been so slow. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by nationally-known speaker and consultant Mark Amtower, Amtower Off-Center highlights the good, the bad, the ugly and the just plain silly of doing business in the government market. Every week experts join Mark for a lively discussion of current issues facing the government contractor community.
HOSTED BY
Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Amtower Off-Center have?
Amtower Off-Center currently has 192 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Amtower Off-Center about?
Hosted by nationally-known speaker and consultant Mark Amtower, Amtower Off-Center highlights the good, the bad, the ugly and the just plain silly of doing business in the government market. Every week experts join Mark for a lively discussion of current issues facing the government contractor...
How often does Amtower Off-Center release new episodes?
Amtower Off-Center publishes regularly with 192 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Amtower Off-Center?
You can listen to Amtower Off-Center on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Amtower Off-Center?
Amtower Off-Center is created and hosted by Federal News Network | Hubbard Radio.
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