CMMC is officially here. The DoD finalized the DFARS rule on September 10, with CMMC clauses eligible in solicitations by November 10 and a three-year phase-in through November 10, 2028. We break down Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, the 180-day conditional grace period, prime flowdowns, and COTS exemptions. The headline: Level 2 can be a self-assessment on some programs, dramatically lowering cost and keeping more small and mid-sized firms in the game. We also cover smart “ghosting” moves to right-size requirements during pre-acquisition and Q&A, plus examples of where Level 2 self-assessment may be appropriate. Act early, budget now, and align your subs so you are not stuck in the rush.

Featured Guest:	Michael LeJeune	Company:	Partner, RSM Federal
Email:	mlejeune@rsmfederal.com	Phone:	(636)-577-5005

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Non-traditional contracting is exploding in government contracting, and small businesses can win faster by learning the rules. In this episode, Michael LeJeune and guest expert Angela Webb break down BAAs, CSOs, OTAs, and SBIR/STTR, when to use each, and where to find them on SAM.gov. You will learn the typical cadence from five-page white paper to full proposal, realistic timelines to award, how consortiums like AFWERX and SOFWERX fit in, and smart pipeline mix recommendations for tech and non-tech firms. We also cover pricing tips, prize challenges, and practical guidance for educating contracting officers with one-pagers that show exactly how to buy from you. If you want faster paths to revenue in GovCon, this is your playbook.

Featured Guest:	Angela Webb	Company:	President, GovCon Xcelerator SGP

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The FAR Part 19 deviation is here, and the world is not on fire. In this episode, I break down why “small business first” largely formalizes how agencies already operate, and why overreliance on 8(a), WOSB, and SDVOSB status is a risky strategy going forward. We talk about legal headwinds to socioeconomic programs, the SBA’s shrinking role, and what contractors should do right now. The punchline is simple: position around outcomes, spend more time in pre-acquisition, build real relationships, and communicate value with clear metrics. If you do that, you will not just survive these changes, you will thrive.

Featured Guest:	Michael LeJeune	Company:	Partner, RSM Federal
Email:	mlejeune@rsmfederal.com	Phone:	(636)-577-5005

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In this solo episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune dismantles the “invincible leader” myth and makes the case for sustainable leadership. Your real job isn’t doing everything, it’s setting the temperature (be a thermostat, not a thermometer), building systems that work without you, and modeling healthy boundaries.

Hear a candid client story: after years of 70–100-hour weeks and late-night emails, a CEO learned to delegate, stop after-hours calls, and actually take vacation, sparking a healthier culture and lower turnover.

Practical takeaways: delegate earlier, define response windows, reward rest, and coach leaders to own outcomes. Take off the cape; build a company that thrives without it.

Featured Guest:	Michael LeJeune	Company:	Partner, RSM Federal
Email:	mlejeune@rsmfederal.com	Phone:	(636)-577-5005

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In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, Michael LeJeune is joined by Jenny Karn and Rhi Ruff of Lumino to explore the surprising role Wikipedia plays in your government contracting success. Far from being “just an online encyclopedia,” Wikipedia feeds into Google, Siri, Alexa, social media verification, and even AI tools like ChatGPT. That means what’s written on Wikipedia could be shaping how contracting officers, teaming partners, and potential buyers see your company. Whether you know it or not. Jenny and Rhi explain how Wikipedia pages are created, why accuracy matters, and how contractors can monitor and correct misinformation. They also share practical tips for developing a Wikipedia strategy that supports your broader media and AI presence.
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Featured Guest:	Jenny Karn and Rhi Ruff	Company:	Lumino Digital

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