Practical guides for defense and government technology companies.
Research-backed guides covering compliance, contracting, security, and the pathways that connect commercial technology to national defense.
CMMC Compliance Checklist for Defense Contractors
A practical, step-by-step CMMC 2.0 compliance checklist covering all three levels, Phase 1 and Phase 2 timelines, the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, C3PAO selection, SPRS scoring, and cost planning.
Read Guide →Contract Obligations
What contract obligations measure, why they are not outlays or total budget, and why they are often the best public measure of contracting activity.
Read Guide →Defense Contracting
How defense contracting differs from the defense industrial base, federal contracting, DoD budget authority, and contract obligations.
Read Guide →Defense Industrial Base
What the defense industrial base includes, why 300,000+ suppliers and roughly 60,000 active firms can both be true, and how US Defense Group uses the term.
Read Guide →DIU, AFWERX, and OTA Pathways for Commercial Companies
A comprehensive guide to Other Transaction Authorities, the Defense Innovation Unit, AFWERX, and how commercial technology companies can enter defense contracting through the fastest available acquisition pathways.
Read Guide →DoD Budget
How to read DoD budget requests, discretionary funding, reconciliation funding, appropriations, and why budget authority is not the same as contract awards.
Read Guide →Federal Contracting
A plain-English guide to federal contracting, federal-wide contract awards, and how that market differs from defense contracting and grant spending.
Read Guide →FedRAMP Authorization Guide for Cloud Service Providers
A comprehensive guide to FedRAMP authorization paths, including the new FedRAMP 20x program, NIST 800-53 baselines, 3PAO assessments, and continuous monitoring requirements.
Read Guide →How to Win Your First Government Contract
A step-by-step guide to winning your first federal government contract, covering SAM.gov registration, set-aside programs, proposal writing, and the realistic timeline and investment required.
Read Guide →ITAR Compliance Guide for Technology Companies
A practical guide to International Traffic in Arms Regulations, from DDTC registration and the U.S. Munitions List to deemed exports, penalties, and building a compliance program that works.
Read Guide →SBIR/STTR Guide: From Phase I Application to Phase III Production Contract
A practical, step-by-step guide to navigating the $4-6 billion SBIR/STTR program, from finding topics and writing proposals to crossing the Phase II-to-III valley of death.
Read Guide →Security Clearance Guide for Defense Contractors
A practical guide to obtaining facility and personnel security clearances through DCSA, including FCL levels, SF-86 requirements, processing timelines, and common pitfalls.
Read Guide →Teaming Agreements in Government Contracting: A Complete Guide
A practical guide to teaming agreements for government contractors, covering prime/sub arrangements, joint ventures, mentor-protege programs, key terms to negotiate, and how to find the right teaming partner.
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