Insights

Insights on the Federal Market.

Analysis, strategy, and practical guidance on federal market entry, DoW agile acquisition, and defense business development, from the team that does it every day.

Marketplaces

CDAO's Super Intelligence Open Topic Runs Through Tradewinds

CDAO plans an FY27 Direct-to-Phase II SBIR topic for Super Intelligence and will draw candidates from awardable Tradewinds solutions. Here's what that means and how to get in the pool before it opens.

Kevin Ross·Nov 3, 2026·7 min read

BD Strategy

The Moneyball Approach to Defense

What the 2002 Oakland A’s can teach us about selling into the defense market. The league has been measuring the wrong things — and the contractors that move first won’t be the ones with the biggest BD payroll.

Kevin Ross·May 15, 2026·7 min read

Market Entry

Defense Tech in 2026: Where the Money Is Going and What It Means for Technology Companies

The FY2026 defense budget represents one of the largest peacetime investments in U.S. military capability. Here’s where the money is going, which acquisition pathways are growing, and what it means for commercial firms.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 12, 2026·10 min read

Market Entry

How the Defense Budget Actually Works: A Startup Founder’s Guide to PPBE and Appropriations

The defense budget cycle explains why deals take years, why September is the busiest month, and why a program manager who loves your product might not buy it for 18 months. Here’s the system in plain language.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 11, 2026·10 min read

Market Entry

Due Diligence for Defense Tech Investments: What VCs and PE Firms Get Wrong

Standard technology DD frameworks miss critical defense-specific dimensions — procurement vehicles, compliance gates, pipeline quality, and budget cycle alignment. Here’s what investors should actually be evaluating.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 10, 2026·8 min read

Acquisition Strategy

OTAs, SBIRs, and CSOs: A Plain-English Guide to Defense Procurement Vehicles

The defense procurement system runs on acronyms. This guide explains every major vehicle a technology company will encounter — OTAs, SBIRs, CSOs, GWACs, GSA Schedule, and innovation marketplaces — in plain language.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 9, 2026·12 min read

BD Strategy

Why Defense BD Talent Costs $250K — And What Startups Can Do About It

An experienced defense business development professional commands $150K to $300K or more. Here’s why — and what models work better for early-stage companies.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 8, 2026·8 min read

BD Strategy

Why “If You See It on SAM.gov First, You’ve Already Lost”

By the time a solicitation appears on SAM.gov, the competitive dynamics are already set. Here’s why early engagement upstream is what actually matters.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 7, 2026·9 min read

Marketplaces

Platform One Marketplace Explained: How to Get Your Software in Front of the DoW

Platform One is the Air Force’s DevSecOps marketplace. If Tradewinds serves AI and data, Platform One is where developer tools get discovered and acquired.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 6, 2026·10 min read

Marketplaces

What Is the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace — And Should Your Company Be on It?

Tradewinds is the DoW’s marketplace for AI, data, and analytics solutions. Getting listed means post-competition status. Here’s how to evaluate if your company belongs there.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 5, 2026·12 min read

Acquisition Strategy

Tradewinds, GWACs, and GSA Schedule: Which Contract Vehicle Actually Fits Your Strategy?

Three contract vehicles come up most often for tech companies entering the federal market. They sound like they’re solving the same problem. They’re not.

Clipper Defense Team·Apr 1, 2026·10 min read

Acquisition Strategy

What “Post-Competition Status” Actually Means (And Why It Matters)

Post-competition status is the difference between a 12-month acquisition timeline and a 2-week close. Here’s what every defense contractor needs to know.

Clipper Defense Team·Feb 15, 2026·5 min read

Marketplaces

Tradewinds vs Platform One: Which Marketplace Is Right for You?

Both marketplaces accelerate DoW acquisition, but they serve different needs. Here’s how to choose the right path for your product.

Clipper Defense Team·Dec 10, 2025·6 min read

Insights on the Federal Market.

CDAO's Super Intelligence Open Topic Runs Through Tradewinds

The Moneyball Approach to Defense

Defense Tech in 2026: Where the Money Is Going and What It Means for Technology Companies

How the Defense Budget Actually Works: A Startup Founder’s Guide to PPBE and Appropriations

Due Diligence for Defense Tech Investments: What VCs and PE Firms Get Wrong

OTAs, SBIRs, and CSOs: A Plain-English Guide to Defense Procurement Vehicles

Why Defense BD Talent Costs $250K — And What Startups Can Do About It

Why “If You See It on SAM.gov First, You’ve Already Lost”

Platform One Marketplace Explained: How to Get Your Software in Front of the DoW

What Is the Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace — And Should Your Company Be on It?

Tradewinds, GWACs, and GSA Schedule: Which Contract Vehicle Actually Fits Your Strategy?

What “Post-Competition Status” Actually Means (And Why It Matters)

Tradewinds vs Platform One: Which Marketplace Is Right for You?

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