Scaling in the OTA Space: Growth Paths for Small and Nontraditional Contractors
Focus: Moving from single-project wins to sustained growth. 
Key Takeaways: 

• Leveraging OTA work for follow-on production contracts 
• Building past performance credibility for federal bids 
• Funding growth—cash flow strategies for fast-moving OTA awards 

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Nznpst0QRja45qN26_z_qQ

Attending Navy’s Sea Air Space conference? Join govmates and ATI for matchmaking on Monday, April 20 from 2-4pm ET. You must be registered for the Sea Air Space conference to participate in matchmaking. Learn more about the conference here: Sea Air Space Registration

Register for matchmaking here: https://govmates.com/event/govmates-sas-mm-2026/

Save the date for Virtual SECAF Matchmaking.

ATI Education: Cracking the OTA Code: Proven Strategies to Win Your First (or Next) Award” 
Focus: Practical, step-by-step guidance for identifying OTA opportunities, crafting competitive proposals, and positioning your business for selection. 

Key Takeaways: 

·         Where to find OTA solicitations and consortium opportunities 

·         How to interpret technical requirements for non-traditional awards 

·         Common mistakes in OTA proposal submissions (and how to avoid them)

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_h5C9QWD6TSaUZ9WjcAR6ag

Join us for matchmaking at the BioMaP-Consortium General Membership Meeting in Arlington, VA.  In order to participate, you must be registered for the General Membership Meeting.  Register here: https://cvent.me/k8DGok

Join govmates at the Womble Bond Dickinson office in Huntsville, AL on February 24th for a govcon exclusive networking event.

Date: 2.24.2026
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM CT
Tickets: $25.00
Attendees: Government Contractors only
(Service providers – if you’d like to attend we may have sponsorship opportunities available. Please contact matchmaker@govmates.com for more information)

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rocket-city-rendezvous-tickets-1787741024529

From Partner to Powerhouse: Building High-Impact Teams in the OTA Ecosystem

Join govmates for an ATI education session how to find, vet, and collaborate with the right teaming partners to win more business.

In this discussion we’ll cover:

• Best practices for identifying capability gaps and filling them
• Negotiating teaming agreements and IP considerations in OTAs
• Case studies of successful OTA teaming strategies

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hKDEbzE0TG29oN_hXKS-AQ

govmates members (government contractors) only!  Join us for our third annual Holiday Bash, an evening of networking with fellow members and teaming partners.  We’ll bring the drinks and food – you bring the business cards and get ready to mingle!  We’ll also be joined by representatives from large defense primes and integrators, so maybe you’ll leave with a new customer or two.

Date: Wednesday, December 3rd

Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM

Location: 1676 International Drive, Penthouse

Cost: $25

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/govmates-holiday-bash-3rd-annual-tickets-1687894922149

Interested in matchmaking? You must first register for the Midwest Aerospace Conference:

https://business.rockfordchamber.com/ap/Events/Register/R1FdxMyHRC0CX

Attending AUSA? Register for industry matchmaking here: https://govmates.com/event/matchmaking-ausa-2025/

govmates members (government contractors) only! Join us for our Fourth Annual Fiscal Year End Fiesta networking event with fellow members and teaming partners. We’ll bring the drinks and food – you bring the business cards and get ready to mingle!  We’ll also be joined by representatives from large defense primes and integrators, so maybe you’ll leave with a new customer or two.

Date: Wednesday, September 10th

Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Location: Womble Bond Dickinson Office, 8350 Broad Street #Ste 1500 Tysons, VA 22102

Cost: $25

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/govmates-fiscal-year-end-fiesta-4th-annual-tickets-1399784355689

Attending the Billington CyberSecurity Summit in Washington, DC? Join us for matchmaking! You must be registered for the conference in order to participate in matchmaking.  Register for the Summit here: https://billingtoncybersummit.com/register

Attending the NASA LIFT event? Join us for matchmaking. You must be registered for the event to participate in matchmaking.  Register for the event here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nasa-osbp-engagement-2025-lift-tickets-1537390027959

Attending the RRPV Consortium General Membership Meeting? Join us for matchmaking.

Save the date.

Navigating the Federal Marketplace: A Guide to Finding and Winning Contracts
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jJ_6e_WITN-CUwfGu8Mjxw

Are you ready to break into the federal contracting space or expand your government business portfolio? Join ATI Education for a practical, insight-packed webinar designed to help businesses of all sizes understand and succeed in the federal marketplace. This session will guide participants through the essential steps of identifying contract opportunities, understanding agency needs, and positioning your company to win. From registering in SAM.gov to interpreting solicitations and crafting competitive proposals, this webinar will demystify the federal procurement process and equip you with actionable strategies to stand out from the competition.

Key Takeaways:
An overview of how the federal contracting process works
Tools and platforms to find contract opportunities
How to assess and respond to solicitations
Tips for creating a winning proposal
Common pitfalls to avoid when entering the federal market

Whether you’re new to government contracting or looking to improve your win rate, this webinar offers valuable guidance to help you navigate and thrive in this competitive space.

Register here: https://govmates.com/event/ati-virtual-matchmaking-2025/ 

Collaborative Success: Building Strong Teams for OTA Consortia Opportunities – Webinar
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rnbbHRoSS3OONjqP6BxrHg

The government contracting space is evolving—and small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors (NTAs) are uniquely positioned to lead the charge. Join govmates and ATI on June 25th for an engaging webinar on how OTA agreements are transforming access to federal innovation opportunities—and how ATI helps small businesses thrive in this space. Through its proven model of consortium management and strategic collaboration, ATI helps emerging innovators bypass traditional barriers, connect with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, and bring cutting-edge solutions to market faster.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How OTAs differ from FAR-based contracts—and what makes them especially valuable for small businesses
• ATI’s role in managing mission-focused consortia that open doors to real-time government needs
• Steps to join a consortium, align with DoD priorities, and team with other innovators to compete and win

Whether you’re just entering the federal arena or looking to expand your footprint, this webinar offers clear, actionable insights on how ATI supports your success through flexible, innovation-driven acquisition.

govmates members (government contractors) only!  Join us for our fourth annual Prime Another Day networking event with fellow members and teaming partners. We’ll bring the drinks and food – you bring the business cards and get ready to mingle!  We’ll also be joined by representatives from large defense primes and integrators, so maybe you’ll leave with a new customer or two.

Date: Wednesday, June 4th

Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

Location: Tyson’s Corner

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/prime-another-day-networking-event-tickets-1292703313409

Cost: $25

Pivoting toward opportunity | Utilizing OTAs for Innovation

Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6ztIrEyfR_SUVdcOojxhXg

In today’s rapidly evolving defense innovation landscape, agility and adaptability are essential for small businesses aiming to break into or expand within the federal marketplace. Join govmates and ATI for a dynamic panel discussion exploring how Other Transaction Authority (OTA) mechanisms can unlock new growth opportunities and drive innovation at speed. This session will dive into the policy shifts, practical insights, and strategic pathways that empower small and nontraditional businesses to thrive through OTA partnerships.

Guided by real-world success stories and expert perspectives, we’ll cover:
• The impact of the Secretary of Defense’s directive to expand OTA use
• How OTAs differ from traditional FAR-based contracts—and why that matters
• Eligibility, consortium participation, and how to get started
• Aligning innovation strategy with DoD priorities
• Best practices for teaming and risk mitigation
• What a genuine cultural shift inside the DoD means for small innovators

Whether you’re new to OTAs or looking to scale your presence in the defense sector, this webinar offers actionable guidance and strategic foresight to help your business pivot toward opportunity and success.

Save the date for SOF Week Matchmaking.

Attending Sea, Air, Space? Then join us for in-person matchmaking on April 7 – register here: https://govmates.com/event/sea-air-space-matchmaking-2025/

MOSA was codified into law in 2019 via Title 10 U.S.C. 4401(b) with the intent of providing more supply chain visibility, building the Defense Industrial Base, fostering more competitive solutions at both the program and component level and opening the door to further collaboration between industry and government. Learn how to navigate MOSA to build your business and win more work.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mosa-institute-govmates-tickets-1254754196579 

Join govmates and ATI to discuss how to build a competitive edge in 2025.

We’ll discuss:

o Benefits of certifications (e.g., SBA 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB)

o Forming strategic partnerships and joint ventures

o Positioning your business as a preferred vendor

and have time to answer your questions!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RSvIhuaGRuKAMmm4N_3S4Q

Join us for matchmaking at the Global SOF Foundation’s Special Air Warfare Symposium on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.

To be eligible to participate in matchmaking, please first register for the event at https://saws.gsofsymposium.org/

govmates members (government contractors) only!  Join us for an evening of networking with fellow members and teaming partners.   We’ll bring the drinks and food – you bring the business cards and get ready to mingle!  We’ll also be joined by representatives from large defense primes and integrators, so maybe you’ll leave with a new customer or two.

Date: Wednesday, December 4th

Time: 5:00 – 7:30 PM

Location: 1800 Tysons Blvd, McLean, VA 22102

Cost: $25

Purchase your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1020574976227?aff=oddtdtcreator

ATI Education: Cybersecurity

Join govmates for a webinar on Cybersecurity: Government contractors must comply with strict cybersecurity regulations to protect sensitive information. Topics to cover include compliance requirements, cyber threat intelligence, and cybersecurity risk management. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eIZrratxS_yxsbekjoqMJg

MOSA was codified into law in 2019 via Title 10 U.S.C. 4401(b) with the intent of providing more supply chain visibility, building the Defense Industrial Base, fostering more competitive solutions at both the program and component level and opening the door to further collaboration between industry and government. Learn how to navigate MOSA to build your business and win more work.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-mosa-institute-govmates-tickets-1020539570327

AGENDA

Session 1: Perspective from Government: Featuring a fireside chat with Christina Brantley, Associate Director of Acquisition, OSD (A&S), discussing initiatives and procurements that involve MOSA. Moderator:  Paul Dudley – ATI

Session 2: OUSD R&E Modular Open Systems Working Group (MOSWG) Presents the MOSA roadmap, Speaker: Nadine Geier – Director, Systems Engineering, OUSD (R&E)

Session 3: How to be involved in the MOSA Requirements Definition Process:  Hear from government SMEs on contracting options leveraged for MOSA, and how to help shape requirements, engage with stakeholders and provide critical feedback to government for MOSA initiatives. Moderator: Rosemary Kramer – LMI  Speakers:  Dr. Rob Raygan – DAU, Dave Walsh – Parry Labs, Paul Celani – Booz Allen Hamilton, DASA (DES) – Steve Drake

Session 4: Legal MOSA Considerations for Industry: Let’s talk legal implications of how MOSA differs from historical procurements, what IP can be shared (or needs to be protected), where to pushback and how to ensure your organizations safeguards its own critical technology. Moderator: Katie Bilek – govmates Speakers: Cy Alba – PilieroMazza, Noah Tevis – Bell, Joe Zobro – C3.AI

Session 5: MOSA Success Stories: Hear from fellow industry members who have successfully executed on MOSA initiatives. Moderator: John Stough – Exocubic, Invited Speakers: Kenneth Senechal – OUSD, Tyler Smith – Galois, Mark Spencer – Avilution, Brendan Kelley – NGC

#notyourmothersinstitute

Join us for matchmaking at MAC2024: Midwest Aerospace Conference in Rockford, IL.

In order to be eligible to participate, first register here:  https://business.rockfordchamber.com/ap/Events/Register/EqFw7VbCgC6C9

Attending AUSA?  Then join us for matchmaking!