Rob Martin

🔐𝑮𝒂𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒑𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍. ➡️ Billions in defense contracts are on the line & most firms aren’t ready. Kiteworks’ 9-step guide turns complexity into clarity. 🔍 Breakdowns: • Depth: 134 controls, 14 domains. • Purpose: Protect CUI, earn trust. • Differentiation: Early prep = competitive edge. • Decision clarity: No roadmap = no certification. 📖 Read the full guide: CMMC 2.0 Gap Analysis Steps https://lnkd.in/gtMWkTkE #Kiteworks #DP4D #CMMC #CyberResilience #DefenseContracts #LegacyAmplification

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For Government Contractors working with the DoD 36% of folks surveyed said budget is the biggest issue with 31% saying the technical complexity around #cmmc Cost and technical complexity yet it’s required going forward to do business in the #DIB Another interesting stat, which I can validate in general with leases of businesses, is that while 56% of technical/compliance folks think they have their policies and controls in place it moves to 80% for CEO’s - there is a disparity between what leadership thinks and what the boots on the ground know.

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Too much federal tech innovation gets stuck in pilot purgatory. We test, demo, and prototype, but stop short of scaling what works. The real barrier isn’t always technical. More often, it comes down to the acquisition process and execution. • Procurement cycles aren’t built for speed • Missions evolve faster than acquisition rules • Teams lack the resources to move beyond early-stage trials This is where OTAs (Other Transaction Authorities) come into play. 'Prototype' OTAs can move right from pilot to production. They provides scalable solutions built for the mission that are designed for adoption from the start. Innovation only matters when it reaches the field. #GovTech #DigitalTransformation #PublicSectorInnovation

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🚨 GSA is Sending Out “Exclusion Determination Letters” for MAS Contractors 🚨 As promised, GSA is reaching out to vendors who are non-compliant with I-FSS-639 Contract Sales Criteria—letting them know their contract will not be included in the option period. These exclusions were delayed during COVID, but that grace period is over. 🛑 Don't let your GSA MAS contract slip away without a fight. Here’s what you can do: 1️⃣ Address non-compliance head-on. 🔹 How: Review your sales history and identify shortfalls. Respond to GSA with a plan showing how you'll meet minimum sales — such as pricing adjustments, bundling strategies, or leveraging subcontracting opportunities. 2️⃣ Show your BD strategy. 🔹 How: Submit pipeline reports, BD outreach logs, or capability briefs. Show GSA that you’re actively marketing your contract and pursuing federal opportunities via SAM.gov, eBuy, or teaming arrangements. 3️⃣ Share additional support/resources. 🔹 How: Highlight investments you’ve made — such as hiring consultants, working with capture firms, launching marketing campaigns, or enhancing your proposal support — to improve visibility and increase your win probability (PWin). Here's something else to consider: 🔍 CODY AI – GSA’s new tool to accelerate vendor vetting. Kris Brinker recently shared insights on how it might impact your standing. 👉 Check it out here https://lnkd.in/edB73Y72 Stay sharp, stay compliant and seek help if needed. #GSASchedule #GovCon #BDStrategy #Compliance #CODYAI #FederalContracting #MAS

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The intersection of #security and #fraud: Excited to join the #CISO Spring Tour with Team8 on behalf of Charm Security, meeting security leaders across Atlanta, DC, and NYC to discuss the intersection of security, fraud, and human vulnerabilities. As #scams and #social_engineering threats continue to evolve, the lines between cybersecurity and fraud prevention are blurring. Organizations are realizing that protecting their customers and workforce from deception and manipulation is a security imperative. One key takeaway from these discussions: The human element remains the biggest challenge, as attackers exploit trust, urgency, and authority at scale. The need for AI-driven defenses that understand and counter human vulnerabilities is becoming clear. Looking forward to more conversations on how security and fraud teams can adapt to this shift.

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Government agencies need communication systems that operate without external providers. They also need privacy, jurisdictional control, and verifiable security. Our partnership with Quaestor Federal Consulting strengthens this mission. Their team brings extensive experience from national security and federal operations. Their assessment was clear. Agencies require secure email, secure messaging, and secure voice and video for unclassified environments. These needs cannot be met by Big Tech platforms or traditional telecom systems. Sekur Private Data Ltd. provides a private Swiss hosted environment with no data mining and no external access. This structure supports controlled and auditable communication for government use. ➤ Read the full announcement on our website for complete details. https://lnkd.in/gWruu3g5 #AlainGhiai #Sekur #SwissPrivacy #Cybersecurity #NationalSecurity #GovernmentSecurity #ClosedSource #DataSovereignty #SecureCommunications #DigitalTrust

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The Pentagon is working to improve efficiency by leveraging industry-developed software. Prioritizing the Software Acquisition Pathway will help the #DoD explore marketplace options more effectively. These guidelines enable contracts outside formal federal #acquisition regulations, allowing for faster procurement and expanded partnership opportunities with non-traditional defense contractors. Expanding marketplace diversity will create more opportunities for innovative partners to collaborate with federal agencies and deliver mission-enabled tools and solutions for success. https://lnkd.in/eFwMRDDT

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In a significant step forward for government IT modernization, Elastic has entered into a strategic agreement with the US General Services Administration (GSA) to help federal agencies reduce costs and elevate their cybersecurity, observability, and AI capabilities. “We are proud to partner with GSA to bring greater capabilities to federal agencies at unprecedented savings, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars in cost reductions over time,” shares Ashutosh Kulkarni, CEO at Elastic. Read more in our latest blog: https://go.es.io/46gOZ62

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Looking to secure federal cloud contracts with Kubernetes? FedRAMP compliance is a key requirement for accessing U.S. federal cloud opportunities. But for Kubernetes teams, meeting these strict security and operational standards can be complex. This guide outlines a clear path to compliance, including: • Core requirements such as RBAC, logging, and continuous monitoring • How to reduce manual effort with checklists and automation • Guidance on aligning Kubernetes environments with FedRAMP controls Explore the practical steps to accelerate your compliance journey. Read more: https://buff.ly/WaDdj9s

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Splunk Olly Chief Strategic Advisor Craig Hyde highlights why observability is crucial for federal agencies to ensure seamless digital operations & help enhance the quality of services that citizens depend on. https://bit.ly/41q7Ybb

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11 new RFQs were posted on GSA MAS today, and several are strong opportunities with deadlines coming up next week. One that stands out is the Network Engineers and Specialists Support RFQ with DoD. Looks pretty easy to respond to. Here’s the thing. many vendors skip RFQs with short deadlines because they assume the requirement is “wired.” But that’s not how it works. As a Co/CS If I wanted to direct a requirement to a specific vendor, I’d use a different path: raise the ceiling on an existing contract, route it through an ANC or 8(a), or place it under a BPA. If it’s being openly competed on GSA MAS, then it’s fair game. These types of solicitations often only receive one or two proposals—making them excellent opportunities for those willing to act quickly.

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