Today we will cover Government agencies, primarily in the United States (for now). Our last post highlighted some deep technologies that can shift the financial world.
And now, we will see what part the government plays in their creation.
In today's edition:
🇺🇸 Government and Technology
📡 Agencies focused on Technology.
📰 Government contracting
🌎 On this day in History
Government and Technology Creation
The government has three main pillars; federal, state, and local. While this hierocracy should roll up from local to federal, that is different today.
But, we are seeing the shift.
When it comes to creating technologies, many may think federal entities are creating them. But that is not the case. The task is passed down to business and educational institutions to develop, design, and implement. The government knows what they seek and offers the tasks through contracts and grants.
A good example is Elon Musk’s SpaceX Government Contract:
Contract value $2.9 Billion
The task to build a new generation of lunar landers
Awarded of February 20, 2021
For NASA’s Artemis program
Purpose of returning humans to the moon by 2024
The 2021 SpaceX contract was one of the most recent ones. Elon Musk and SpaceX have been receiving contracts for a while now. SpaceX can play a massive role in the potential technology shift of the financial market.
We will dive deep into their role as we get to SpaceX in our series.
Agencies Focused on Deep Technology
For government contracts, different agencies have different primary focuses. We see this with the military focusing more on defense gear, equipment, and technology. DHS and FEMA with a focus on national emergency preparedness personnel and equipment.
The list goes on, but I want to focus on a couple of primary ones dedicated to deep technologies research and advancement.
The name should tell you where they are looking to place their contracts, primarily in new technology in the space field.
Spacecraft development and launch contracts: To develop and launch spacecraft, such as satellites and launch vehicles.
Space operations contracts: To operate and maintain space systems, such as ground stations and communication networks.
Space research and development contracts: To conduct research and development in space-related areas, such as new technologies and concepts.
Space training and education contracts: To provide training and education to its personnel, such as in space operations and engineering.
Space acquisition and sustainment contracts: To acquire and sustain space systems through logistics and maintenance.
The defense advanced research project agency (DARPA) focuses on the technology many don’t hear about. We can get a good idea of areas they are working on through what is offered contract-wise. But, without proper clearance, we won’t know until it becomes publicly available.
Research and development contracts: To conduct research and development in various areas, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing.
Technology demonstration contracts: To demonstrate new technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the way the military fights wars.
Systems acquisition contracts: To acquire new weapons systems, such as drones and missiles.
Training and education contracts: To provide training and education to its personnel, such as in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Other contracts: DARPA also issues contracts for various other services, such as security, legal, and financial.
Some of the contracts available are fascinating, I recommend looking.
The National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018 is what set up the NQI. The act calls for a coordinated government program to speed up research and development on QIS and keep the U.S. at the top of this field. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy oversees the NQI, and more than 20 government agencies participate.
Research and development: In QIS through various programs, including grants, fellowships, and prizes. The goal of this research is to develop new quantum technologies and to advance the understanding of QIS.
Education and workforce development: In QIS, through various programs, including scholarships, internships, and training programs. This education and workforce development aims to ensure the United States has the skilled workforce to develop and use quantum technologies.
Infrastructure: Supports the development of quantum infrastructure, such as quantum computing centers and quantum networks. This infrastructure development aims to create the foundation for the widespread use of quantum technologies.
International cooperation: International cooperation in QIS through various programs, such as joint research projects and exchange programs. This international cooperation aims to ensure that the United States benefits from the global development of QIS.
As we can see, each agency has its primary focus, but the real magic comes in how they all work together. Once we finish laying the framework, we will start peeling back the onion layers to see if the deep tech will soon run our financial systems.
In our next post, we will examine the different financial agencies, who they are, and what they do.
Government contracting may seem only available for aerospace & defense companies and a few prestigious universities. But that is further from the truth. 90% of businesses, both small and large, can get involved.
Here’s how.
How to get into Government Contracting
Regardless if your business sells products or services, there is an opportunity to sell to the government. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Research the government contracting market. Before bidding on government contracts, you need to understand the market. This includes understanding the different types of contracts, the agencies that issue contracts, and the requirements that must be met to be awarded a contract.
Qualify as a government contractor. To be eligible to bid on government contracts, you must first qualify as a government contractor. This involves registering with the System for Award Management (SAM).
Develop a government contracting business plan. Once qualified as a government contractor, you need to develop a business plan. This plan should include your government contracting business goals, strategies for achieving those goals, and financial projections.
Network with government contracting professionals. Networking with government contracting professionals is a great way to learn about new opportunities and get your foot in the door. There are many government contracting associations and organizations that you can join, and there are also many online forums and communities where you can connect with other government contracting professionals.
Bid on government contracts. Once you have developed a business plan and have networked with government contracting professionals, you can start bidding on government contracts. There are many different ways to find contracts, and there are many different types of contracts that you can bid on.
Manage your government contracting business. Once awarded a government contract, you must manage your business effectively. This includes managing your finances, managing your employees, and managing your relationships with your clients.
Government contracting is a great way to start or grow your business. It takes persistence and patience to get the ball rolling, but you will have a new revenue stream once it does.
Here are a few additional tips for getting into contracting.
Focus on your strengths. What are you good at? What do you know a lot about? When you're bidding on government contracts, it's essential to focus on your strengths and highlight your expertise.
Be prepared to compete. Government contracting is a competitive market. Many other businesses are vying for the same contracts. Be prepared to compete by offering competitive prices, high-quality services, and excellent customer service.
Be patient. It takes time to build a successful government contracting business. Only expect to win some contracts that you bid on. Be patient and persistent, and you will eventually start to see success.
If you are interested in Government Contracting and need help getting started
On this day in History
Richard Nixon
From May 17, 1973, to August 9, 1974, the United States Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities staged a series of public hearings known as the Watergate. The Watergate break-in was a political crisis that eventually led to President Richard Nixon's resignation, and hearings were convened to investigate the incident.
North Carolina Senator Sam Ervin presided over the hearings. Over seventy witnesses were heard from by the committee; these ranged from White House staff to media to lawyers. A daily average of 20 million people watched the proceedings as they unfolded live on television.
The break-in at the Democratic National Committee offices, the attempted cover-up, and the use of campaign cash for illicit purposes were all disclosed in the hearings as part of a pattern of criminal action by the Nixon administration. Nixon's knowledge of the break-in and subsequent cover-up was also disclosed during the proceedings.
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