A publication for people who write proposals on Sunday nights, run helpdesks at 2 a.m., and read FAR Part 15 for fun. Operator voice. Specifics over theory. Filed when there's something worth filing — and not before.
We'd rather miss a quarter than ship filler. The day we publish, you'll know it was earned.
Operator-written notes from agency desks, prime conference rooms, and the SAM.gov portal at 11:59 p.m. Specifics — solicitation numbers, contract vehicles, what worked, what got declined.
Quarterly indices on federal contracting velocity drawn from public SAM.gov data. The numbers we wish someone had charted for us when we were starting out — published with the SQL behind them.
Long-form interviews with operators inside government IT — the people who keep the country running and rarely get the microphone. Audio first; transcripts and source materials filed alongside.
We send when we have something worth filing. Often that's once a quarter. Sometimes it's three weeks running. Never a content-marketing newsletter — those are the publications we read to know what not to write.
Navigating government IT procurement can be complex — from identifying the right contract vehicles to ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations.
Off-the-shelf software can't keep pace with the complexity of modern government operations. Here's why custom IT solutions are becoming a mission-critical investment for federal, state, and local agencies in 2026.
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification is one of the most powerful tools available to minority-owned IT firms pursuing government contracts. Here's what it is, how to get it, and how to leverage it strategically.
The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program offers sole-source contracts, set-asides, and mentorship that can transform a small IT firm's trajectory. Here's the complete roadmap for IT service companies.
Running a government contracting business and building a SaaS product simultaneously requires organizational discipline, smart capital allocation, and a clear understanding of how the two business models complement each other. Here's how ITC is doing it.
Small IT contractors working with federal and state government face a growing compliance burden: CMMC, NIST 800-171, FedRAMP, and state equivalents. Here's how to build a compliance program that protects your contracts and your business.
The path from zero government contracts to your first federal IT award is concrete and navigable. Here's the step-by-step playbook for small IT firms entering the federal market.
With OMB M-22-09 deadlines approaching, federal agencies must accelerate their zero-trust implementations. What CISOs need to know about meeting compliance.
Diverse suppliers don’t just check a box — they bring fresh perspectives, community connections, and innovative approaches that drive better outcomes.
As agencies accelerate cloud adoption, security models must evolve beyond perimeter defense. Zero-trust, AI-driven threat detection, and the future of government cloud security.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how government agencies deliver services, manage infrastructure, and make decisions. Here's what's actually happening — and what IT firms need to know to capitalize on it.
IT Custom Solution started as a government IT consulting firm. OpsTicket is our pivot toward building proprietary products. Here's what we've learned about the transition from pure services to services plus SaaS.
CMMC 2.0 is now appearing in DoD solicitations, and the requirements extend beyond prime contractors to IT service providers throughout the supply chain. Here's what IT firms need to understand and implement.
Why managed IT services are the right model for federal, state, and local agencies juggling tight budgets and persistent technical debt.
A current-year refresh on the practices that actually move the needle: zero-trust, MFA, EDR, and the often-overlooked basics that close the most exploited gaps.
How minority-owned businesses are winning more government contracts through set-aside programs, and what agencies gain from supplier diversity.
Nonprofits face the same cyber threats as Fortune 500s with a fraction of the budget. A practical, prioritized playbook for limited-resource teams.
Flat-rate managed IT services eliminate surprise costs and reduce overall IT spend. Five concrete ways agencies save with managed services.
When the helpdesk volume climbs and software updates break things, the infrastructure is asking for an upgrade. Seven concrete signals.
Beyond per-seat pricing — how to model managed IT against incumbent staffing and the true cost of in-house operations.
Free antivirus has very low detection rates. What every small business needs to protect against spyware, malware, and modern cyber threats.
A founder-perspective walkthrough — from SAM.gov registration through your first competitive sealed bid award.
AWS GovCloud, Azure Gov, and Google Cloud — when to use which, how to scope the ATO, and how to avoid the FedRAMP-readiness traps.
Cloud backup transfers your onsite backups to secure, US-based data centers meeting SOC 2 standards. No more taking backup drives home each night.
Why we built OpsTicket — a ticketing system that finally understands what a CLIN is, and what an SLA means against a payment milestone.