In This Week’s Newsletter:
- Opportunity Spotlight of the Week: Opportunity Alert: Department of the Air Force Strategic Transformation Support II (DAFSTS II)
- Four To Follow: Get the lowdown on four interesting pursuits!
- AI Corner: What is the difference between AI and Gen AI?
- Culture Corner: Military, Veterans, & Spouses Affinity Group Recap
- NEW! Events Corner: Stay Up to Date on Industry Events!
Opportunity Alert: Department of the Air Force Strategic Transformation Support II (DAFSTS II)
Contact Len: len.miller@hinzconsulting.com
The Draft RFP for this $5B recompete of the Full/Open – Unrestricted IDIQ was released on 1 August and the final RFP is estimated for release in September 2024. Awards are expected in June as incumbent contracts expire mid-June 2025. Call Hinz Consulting for Proposal Support as we will make you proud!
Four to Follow:
1. NAVAIR Command Strategic Leadership Support Service: The RFP for this estimated $50M recompete on the 8(a)-set-aside contract is expected in late August. However, we think it could slip slightly. Stay tuned for updates.
2. Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Complex Media and Computer-Based Training Product Development: The Sources Sought for this effort were released on 23 July and responses were to have been submitted NLT 25 August. The RFP is expected in the spring of 2025. This is believed to be an IDIQ-agency contract award, but not yet sure if it will be multiple awards or if there will be small business/socio-economic set-asides made under the IDIQ contract.
3. MDA Modeling & Simulation Contract (MASC) Small Business Set-Aside: The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is planning a follow-on to the incumbent contract. Expect a draft RFP in Q4 GFY 2025, a Pre-solicitation Conference in Q1 GFY 2026, and a final RFP in Q2 GFY 2026. The incumbent contract is valued at $213M and is a single award. It’s never too early to start your planning.
4. DHS CBP Border Enforcement Applications for Government Leading-Edge IT (BEAGLE): The recompete for this $1.9B full/open – unrestricted contract is expected sometime in GFY 2025, most likely in February/March. DHS Acquisition Planning Forecast indicates that Alliant 2 is expected to be the contract vehicle of choice, but overall acquisition planning is underway. We expect more information to come out in early GFY 2025. Hinz Consulting has a breadth of experience in this area that can help your Capture Plan, Proposal Development, Pricing Strategies, and Review Teams!
What is the difference between AI and Gen AI?
Contact Josh: josh.thiel@hinzconsulting.com
The most frequently asked question of the Hinz AI Center of Excellence is “What is the difference between AI and Gen AI?” The terms “AI” and “Generative AI” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to distinct aspects of artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is a broad field that encompasses various technologies and methods aimed at creating machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding. AI can be divided into several subfields, such as:
- Machine Learning (ML): Algorithms that allow computers to learn from and make predictions based on data.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Techniques for understanding and generating human language.
- Computer Vision: Methods for interpreting and understanding visual information from the world.
Generative AI
Generative AI is a subset of Artificial Intelligence focused on creating new content. It uses models that can generate text, images, music, and other forms of media. The most well-known examples of generative AI include:
- GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer): Models like GPT-3 and GPT-4, can generate human-like text based on prompts.
- DALL-E: An AI model that generates images from textual descriptions.
- Music Generation: AI systems that compose music in assorted styles.
As we journey into the era of AI and you hear the term applied to car software, logistics software, etc., always ask what kind subfield of AI it is so you can do research on the specific type and understand its advantages or risks.
Military, Veterans, & Spouses Affinity Group Meeting Recap
Contact Angela: angela.marsh@hinzconsulting.com
Hinz Consulting had the recent pleasure of hosting the APMP Military, Veterans, & Spouses Affinity Group meeting and, WOW, it was awesome! We had 23 engaging participants representing 5 branches of service. Their combined experience – averaging 10 years in the military and 23 years in civilian careers – brought a wealth of knowledge and insights to the discussion.
This month’s Spotlight Speaker was the group’s chair, Josh Thiel of Hinz Consulting, who shared his remarkable career story. After 20+ years in the US Army, he was struck by how much more freedom he had in defining his path and his professional presentation – from his haircut to his communication style. Josh discussed different “access points” into proposals and how a military background provides a unique perspective to government contractors.
Audience members joined in the conversation to talk about familiar challenges facing those in career transition:
- Lack of training or on-the-job training (OJT)
- Learning “the language of business” and proposal speak, specifically
- Civilian workplace dynamics and how it differs from the military environment
The group went a bit further than laying out the challenges, though. Many of them offered solutions that anyone transitioning to a career in the bid and proposal industry can use:
- Use Educational Resources: Government programs, industry organizations, and professional associations offer excellent training opportunities.
- APMP Certification: This certification is crucial for mastering industry-specific language.
- Focus on Organizational Culture: Targeting the right work environment is key to a successful transition.
This meeting was a wealth of insights and practical advice for navigating professional transitions and career growth. A huge thank you to all participants for their contributions and engagement that made this session such a tremendous success!
Remember, the first time that the client sees your name should NOT be in the proposal! Check out these events online and in the DC Metro Area to network, learn, and be seen by your customers.
- Sep 03-06: Billington CyberSecurity Summit
- Sep 04: Defense News Conference 2024
- Sep 06: Wash. Tech. Power Breakfast-Doing Business with NASA
- Sep 11-12: DSI’s AI For Defense Summit
About Hinz Consulting
Hinz Consulting provides services across the full business development cycle:
- Proposal Consulting
- AI Services
- Strategic Pricing
- Training
- Capture
- Competitive Intelligence
- BD Transformation Consulting
- Process/Methodology Consulting
- Tools and Templates
- Production Services
- Small Business
