McQuillar Solutions, LLC

09/21/2026

Most small businesses skip right past Sources Sought notices on SAM.gov — but that's where the real influence happens. Responding early gets your capabilities in front of the contracting officer before the RFP is even written, sometimes shaping the set-aside decision itself.

09/14/2026

500 resumes screened. 50 interviews conducted. 1 position filled.

Then what?

If you're measuring staffing success by activity metrics, you're optimizing for the wrong outcome. The real win isn't the hire-it's the retention, the cultural fit, and the cost you save by NOT recruiting again in 18 months.

We've worked with government agencies and growth-focused businesses who thought they were winning at hiring. Then we showed them their actual staffing ROI: retention rates, time-to-full-productivity, total cost of hire over three years. The gap? Massive.

Our AI-driven approach doesn't just fill positions faster-it matches people to your organizational DNA so they stay, contribute faster, and cost less to retain. That's the metric that matters.

What's YOUR real staffing ROI?
Run a quick diagnostic by taking our 7 to 10-minute assessment and find out where you're leaving money on the table.

Comment "Automate" to get started!

09/11/2026

In GovCon, the businesses that win aren't always the most qualified — they're the most consistent. Showing up to vendor fairs, following up on capability statements, tracking the same NAICS codes month after month. Contracting officers remember who kept showing up.

09/08/2026

🚨 ORLANDO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS — WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF ORLANDO?

If you're a small business owner in Central Florida and you've ever wondered:

❓ How do I become a vendor with the City?
❓ What does the City actually purchase?
❓ How do I participate in contracting opportunities?
❓ What documentation do I need?
❓ Can my business qualify for Small Business Enterprise certification?
❓ Where can I find procurement opportunities?

There’s a FREE workshop that can help answer those questions.

🏙️ HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF ORLANDO

📅 Tuesday, September 22, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 National Entrepreneur Center
3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
💰 FREE

The City of Orlando, in partnership with the National Entrepreneur Center, is hosting a workshop designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners understand how to do business with the City.

Topics include:

✅ Steps and documentation for starting or expanding a business
✅ Becoming a certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
✅ City programs and business assistance
✅ How to participate in City contracting opportunities
✅ Procurement and business development resources

The City also provides a Small Business Enterprise program that can increase opportunities for eligible small and local businesses to participate in City procurement and contracting.

And if you're serious about pursuing City opportunities, the City uses OpenGov for procurement notifications and solicitations, so getting registered and setting up the right commodity/service codes is important.

👉 My recommendation: Don't wait until you find a bid to start learning how the procurement process works.

Learn the process before the opportunity comes out.

📌 Registration/Event Information:
[City of Orlando — How to Do Business Workshop](https://www.orlando.gov/Events/How-to-do-business-with-the-City-of-Orlando-workshop?transfer=535e9c09-33d2-4a92-8bba-7bfcd27c56ab&utm_source=chatgpt.com)

If you're a small business owner in Orlando, Osceola County, Orange County, Seminole County, Lake County, Polk County, or anywhere in Central Florida, this is the type of FREE resource you should be taking advantage of.

Know the process. Get registered. Get positioned. Find the opportunities.

— McQuillar Solutions, LLC
Strategy. Connections. Growth.

Learn how to do business with the city, including a step-by-step guide on how to launch your business, becoming a certified small business enterprise, available incentive programs and more.

09/08/2026

🚨 SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS — SEPTEMBER IS NOT THE TIME TO SIT ON THE SIDELINES

The federal fiscal year ends September 30, and for businesses pursuing government contracts, this is a good time to be visible, prepared, and actively looking for opportunities.

But here’s the key:

Don’t just wait for a brand-new RFP to appear.

There are several areas worth researching right now:

🔹 Existing Contract Opportunities
Look for task orders, BPAs, recompetes, and opportunities connected to existing contracts.

🔹 Simplified Acquisitions
The current federal Simplified Acquisition Threshold is $350,000 for the general threshold, subject to applicable exceptions. These purchases can create opportunities for small businesses.

🔹 GSA Schedule Opportunities
If your company is on a GSA Schedule, agencies can place orders through the Schedule ordering procedures. Some orders are competed among Schedule contractors.

🔹 Agency Forecasts & Incumbents
Research what agencies are planning to buy, who currently performs the work, and where subcontracting or teaming opportunities may exist.

🔹 State & Local Government Opportunities
Federal contracting isn't the only game. Cities, counties, school districts, universities, and state agencies are purchasing every day.

💡 The biggest mistake is thinking government contracting is simply:

Find RFP → Submit Proposal → Hope You Win

A stronger approach is:

RESEARCH → POSITION → BUILD RELATIONSHIPS → IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES → PURSUE

If you're a small business thinking about government contracting, now is a good time to evaluate where you are and where you can compete.

👇 Comment “READY” or send me a DM if you want help figuring out what you should be researching and where to start.

McQuillar Solutions, LLC
Strategy. Connections. Growth.

09/07/2026

08/26/2026

🔑 Having the Right Certification Can Open New Doors

The right business certification can help position your company for government contracts, set-aside opportunities, networking opportunities, and new markets.

But certification isn’t just about getting a designation—it’s about understanding which certifications your business qualifies for and which ones align with your growth strategy.

💬 What certification are you considering for your business? Drop it in the comments, and let’s talk about it.

McQuillar Solutions, LLC
Strategy. Connections. Growth.

08/25/2026

💡 Here's Something Most People Don't Tell Small Business Owners About Government Contracting...

The opportunity doesn't start when the solicitation is posted.

By the time a contract hits SAM.gov, businesses that are serious about winning may have already spent months:

➡️ Researching the agency
➡️ Understanding what they buy
➡️ Building relationships
➡️ Responding to RFIs and Sources Sought
➡️ Finding potential teaming partners
➡️ Positioning their capabilities

And that's not meant to discourage you.

That's your strategy. 🎯

Instead of waiting for an opportunity to appear, start positioning your business before the solicitation drops.

💡 Learn which agencies buy what you sell.
💡 Introduce your company.
💡 Respond to market research.
💡 Build relationships with potential partners.
💡 Develop your pipeline before you need it.

Because here's the truth:

The businesses that consistently find opportunities aren't always the biggest.

They're often the ones that are prepared, positioned, and paying attention. 💪🏾

At McQuillar Solutions, LLC, we help small businesses turn government contracting from something they hope to pursue into a more organized strategy.

We support businesses with:

📊 Market & Opportunity Research
🏛️ Government Contract Opportunity Identification
📝 Proposal & RFI Support
🤝 Strategic Partnerships & Teaming
📈 Pipeline Development

Don't wait for the contract to find you. Start positioning your business now.

📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.mcquillarllc.com

💬 Question for business owners:
Are you currently looking for government contracts, or are you still trying to figure out where to start?

McQuillar Solutions helps small businesses find, pursue, and win public sector contracts through data-driven strategy, expert positioning, and the right connections.

08/25/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT 8(a) PROGRAM UPDATE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

If you're considering the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, there's a major change you need to know about.

On August 11, 2026, the SBA finalized a new rule changing how individually owned businesses establish social disadvantage for the 8(a) program.

📅 The new rule takes effect September 10, 2026.

Here's what you need to know:

🔹 The previous presumption of social disadvantage for certain groups has been removed.

🔹 Individually owned applicants will now need to meet a new evidence-based standard.

🔹 The new standard focuses on evidence of qualifying discrimination or bias against a group and material harm resulting from it.

🔹 The change applies to new applicants and pending applications.

🔹 Businesses already participating in the 8(a) program generally do not have to re-establish social disadvantage under this new rule.

💡 Why does this matter?

If you've been considering 8(a) certification, don't assume the old process still applies.

Understanding the current requirements before you apply can help you prepare the right documentation and avoid unnecessary delays.

At McQuillar Solutions, LLC, we help businesses understand certification options, procurement readiness, and resources available to help them pursue government contracting.

📩 Interested in learning about certifications your business may qualify for?

Comment CERTIFY or send me a message.

This post is for informational purposes and is not legal advice or a guarantee of certification.