Programs
Procurement Opportunity Center
The POC panel at CelebrASIAN is a platform for learning about:
- Latest developments in category management and federal procurement policy.
- Recent regulatory changes (e.g., changing size standards) and proposals related to joint venturing and teaming in the 8(a) Business Development and Mentor-Protégé programs that may impact your business strategy.
- How the federal government plans to strengthen the federal supply chain by mitigating vendor concentration through use of small businesses with a special emphasis on small, disadvantaged businesses and emerging technologies.
- What mature, small and medium sized Information Technology-focused federal contractors are doing to prepare themselves to respond to ongoing and future government-wide acquisition solutions (e.g., Stars III 8(a) Multiple Award Schedule and Polaris Small Business Pool).
AGENDA
10:45—10:50 Welcome Remarks
USPAACC
Wells Fargo
National 8(a) Association
10:50—11:35 Federal Speakers Panel: New Government Contracting Rules for 2022 by the People Who Wrote, Implement, and Enforce Them
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
General Services Administration (GSA)
Aberdeen Proving Ground, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM)
11:40—12:10 Private Sector Panel: How To Use and Implement New Rules in Your Business to Win More Contracts in 2022
Teya Development
ESOLVIT
Karsun Solutions
IMPRES Technologies
Idea Entity
12:10—12:15 Closing Remarks
FedSolve
USPAACC
GUEST SPEAKERS
Ron Perry
President
National 8(a) AssociationRon Perry
President
National 8(a) Association
Ron Perry is an Alaskan Native and a nationally recognized expert in 8(a) and minority contracting to include Mentor-Protégé, Joint Ventures, teaming, equity buyouts, and national business trends.
In his role as President of the National 8(a) Association, Mr. Perry facilitated thousands of meetings between large and small companies resulting in many successful relationships that led to hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for small businesses.
Mr. Perry has been instrumental in creating relationships with groups such as the Associated General Contractors, National Black Chamber of Commerce, the Native Hawaiian Organizations Association, US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Society of American Military Engineers, and the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant.
Mr. Perry’s Teya Development company provides services in Information Technology, manufacturing, janitorial, event planning, construction, Operations and Maintenance, and management sectors. Teya is a subsidiary of Salamatof Native Association located in Kenai Alaska. Teya has secured millions of dollars in contracts and now has over 750 employees nationwide. Teya has had excellent success utilizing the Small Business Administration’s programs to include the 8(a) business development program, HUBZone, and the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program. Teya also has a Secret facility clearance.
Mr. Perry obtained his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University. He also attended 8(a) training through Loyola University and a pilot program between Howard University and the University of Alaska Anchorage.
USPAACC and the National 8(a) Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in April of 2022. The MOU formalizes the relationship between the organizations and expands opportunities for additional collaboration.
Robb Wong
USPAACC Procurement Opportunity Center Advisory Council and Founder CEO
FedSolveRobb Wong
USPAACC Procurement Opportunity Center Advisory Council and Founder CEO
FedSolve
Robb recently returned to FedSolve to lead small business growth strategy. From 2017-2020 he was appointed by the White House to SBA as Associate Administrator/GCBD where he led the small business government contracting industry for the United States. He worked with Congress, the White House, DOD, Civilian, and industry leaders to grow the industry by more than 34% (largest growth in history). Robb increased the usefulness of federal certifications to include 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, ASMPP/JV and improved protections for small businesses with several new regulations published from 2019-2020. His team’s objective was that “small businesses are government’s best option to achieve agency missions!” That commitment remains today.
Robb’s professional background is unique with over 30 years of experience and expertise in SBA and government contract laws and policy; but also, with significant success leading small and large government contractors. He started his career with SBA as HQ attorney (he’s a Hoya Lawya) he was counsel to the 8(a) program; and helped to author eligibility rules in 1990 that are still in existence today. He moved into management and served as Acting Director in 2 SBA District offices. From 1997-2017, Robb left government and entered the private sector, where he was CEO, owned, or led several 8(a) and HUBZone companies before going back to government at SBA as AA/GCBD from 2017-2020. Robb remains an active leader, advocate and advisor in the government contracting industry.
Mathew Blum
Associate Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)Mathew Blum
Associate Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Mathew Blum is the Associate Administrator at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Office of Management and Budget, in Washington, D.C. He manages the development of legislation, regulations, and policies to promote efficient, effective, and innovative acquisition practices. Mr. Blum is a contributing author to a variety of government contract publications, including articles that have appeared in the Journal of Strategic Contracting and Negotiation, Contract Management, The Government Contractor, The Procurement Lawyer, and the Administrative Law Journal of the American University. Mr. Blum is a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow, the 2017 recipient of the John J. Franke Award recognizing contributions to a more effective and collaborative government, a two-time winner of Federal Computer Week’s “Fed 100” Award, and recipient of the Coalition for Government Procurement’s “Unsung Hero Award for Procurement Policy Excellence.” In 2010, Mr. Blum received a Presidential Rank Award for his ongoing work in OMB. Mr. Blum is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from the College of William and Mary. He received a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the George Washington University Law School, where he serves as a member of its Government Contracts Advisory Board. He is also a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Virginia Bar. |
Usha Boddapu
CEO & Founder
ESOLVITUsha Boddapu
CEO & Founder
ESOLVIT
Usha Boddapu is the Founder and CEO of ESOLVIT, Inc., where she puts her entrepreneurial mettle and technology expertise to the task of providing Information Technology (IT) solutions and services. ESOLVIT, Inc. is Usha’s platform for passing on her business success back to society by helping other women entrepreneurs. In addition to ESOLVIT, Inc., Usha oversees ARYTIC, Inc., a next generation Artificial Intelligence Predictive Analytics Hiring Platform.
Usha has mentored Service-Disabled Veteran (SDV)-Owned, Woman-Owned (WO), Minority-Owned Small Businesses (SBs) and established incubator programs for high school students. ESOLVIT, Inc., through a Mentor-Protégé program with SDV- and WOSB, made available patented ARYTIC, Inc. software solution on the 8(a) STARS III Government Wide Acquisition Contract. Usha received her master’s degree in Computer Science in 1997.
AWARDS:
Most Prestigious and highest national award from U.S Department of Commerce
“Minority Professional Services Firm of the Year.” From among 11 million businesses in the North America presented at MEDWEEK 2020 by National USMBDA
NAWBO National Association of Women Business owner of the year 2020, 2021 from San Antonio and Austin Chapter. First Indian Asian American to win this award in the inception of NAWBO San Antonio biggest chapter from the inception of this chapter since 1998
National award from USPAACC Fast 100 Asian American Business of the year 2020
National award from USPAACC Fast 50 Asian American Business of the year 2022
Austin Business Journal Profiles in Power award in 2019 Most Influential Women in Central Texas
Austin Woman’s way Technology and Innovation Award in 2021
National SCORE “Celia Bell Entrepreneur Award” in 2019 from Austin Chapter
The Power of People Technology Innovation Award from Engage Boston
City of Austin Supplier of the Year Award in 2020
City of Austin Excellence Award for giving back to community in 2019
Economic Engine of the year award from GAACC in 2017
Richard Fu
CEO & President
IMPRES Technology SolutionsRichard Fu
CEO & President
IMPRES Technology Solutions
IMPRES knows the Federal marketplace. As a leading IT solutions provider, IMPRES Technology Solutions, Inc., combines decades of technological expertise with a thorough understanding of the federal procurement and contracting process to implement the best possible IT solution for civilian and defense agencies while reducing risk and lowering costs.
With a vendor-neutral approach, we can lead you through the procurement process to uncover the core drivers for your unique mission requirements.
IMPRES has been recognized as an industry leader within the Federal community and by OEM's alike. Recently named as Dell Technologies Excellence in Customer Experience – Partner of the Year 2021 and Los Angeles Business Journal 100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies.
IMPRES is a certified HUBZone, minority-owned, small business with ISO 9001:2015 Certified by DQS, Inc. and CMMI Service 3.
Mark R. Hagedorn
Attorney-Advisor, Office of Procurement Law, Office of General Counsel
SBAMark R. Hagedorn
Attorney-Advisor, Office of Procurement Law, Office of General Counsel
SBA
Mark Hagedorn is an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Procurement Law at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in Washington, DC. He serves as a legal advisor to Agency officials and their staffs with respect to the 8(a) Business Development program; the Women-Owned Small Business Concern program; the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern program; the HUBZone program; suspension and debarment matters; and SBA’s internal contracting procedures. Mr. Hagedorn also represents the Agency in matters before SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals and the U.S. Government Accountability Office. He has been a lawyer in SBA’s Office of General Counsel since 2016.
John W. Klein
Acting Deputy General Counsel & Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, Office of General Counsel
SBAJohn W. Klein
Acting Deputy General Counsel & Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law, Office of General Counsel
SBA
John Klein is the Associate General Counsel for Procurement Law at the U.S. Small Business Administration. He serves as the principal legal advisor to senior Agency officials and their staffs with respect to the 8(a) Business Development program; the Agency's Government Contracting programs, including the small business set-aside, subcontracting and Certificate of Competency programs; the HUBZone program; the Small Business Innovation Research program; the Size Standards program; the Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program; the Woman-Owned Small Business program; and SBA’s internal contracting procedures.
Mr. Klein has been a lawyer in SBA’s Office of General Counsel since 1983, serving in the Office of Legislation and the Office of General Law before becoming the Associate General Counsel for the Office of Procurement Law in 2000. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1980, and With Distinction from Hofstra University School of Law in 1983.
Anthony Roberts
Small Business Professional for the Office of Small Business Programs, Aberdeen Proving Ground (OSBP - APG)
Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM)Anthony Roberts
Small Business Professional for the Office of Small Business Programs, Aberdeen Proving Ground (OSBP - APG)
Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM)
Mr. Anthony Roberts is a Small Business Professional for the Office of Small Business Programs, Aberdeen Proving Ground (OSBP-APG), Maryland that supports the Communication and Electronics Command (CECOM) and its tenant’s organizations.
Mr. Roberts is primarily responsible for reviewing and providing input to acquisition requirements, conducting market research and overall Small Business support to the Program Executive Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) mission partner. PEO IEW&S is made up of 7 project managers across 3 locations, dedicated to designing, delivering, and sustaining advanced technologies to give our Soldiers the decisive edge. He also serves as the Small Business Professional supporting the Army Contracting Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) who is responsible for executing well over $27B in obligations and over 20K contract actions in FY21.
Mr. Roberts, previously served as the Contract Operation Manager and Contracting Specialist for the Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Fort Belvoir (MICC-Fort Belvoir) office. During his tenure with MICC-Fort Belvoir he played a key role in leading several Advance Planning Briefing to Industry (APBI) at Fort Detrick, Fort Meade and Fort Belvoir.
Mr. Roberts received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from National-Louis University, he is 20 year Army veteran and Level III DAWIA certified in Contracting through the Defenses Acquisition University.
Roby Schapira
Senior Vice President and Director of Small Business Diverse Customer Segments
Wells FargoRoby Schapira
Senior Vice President and Director of Small Business Diverse Customer Segments
Wells Fargo
Robert “Roby” Schapira leads Small Business Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo. In this role, Roby’s team builds strategy and guides the execution of initiatives that support Wells Fargo’s efforts to positively impact diverse/women-owned small businesses. Focus areas include strengthening access to capital, building engagement with women-owned businesses, developing partnership with diverse chambers/small business organizations, and removing barriers for un/underbanked businesses.
A 23-year Wells Fargo veteran, Schapira began his career at Wells Fargo as a part-time teller in 1998. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. He is the co-chair of the Corporate Advisory Council for the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the GSBA, Washington’s LGBTQ+ chamber.
Schapira is an accomplished speaker and has provided insight on small business topics for national and local media outlets, nonprofit organizations, and financial industry forums.
Laura J. Stanton
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Information Technology Category, Federal Acquisition Service, GSA & OMB-appointed Government-Wide IT Category Manager
GSALaura J. Stanton
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Information Technology Category, Federal Acquisition Service, GSA & OMB-appointed Government-Wide IT Category Manager
GSA
Laura Stanton is the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Information Technology Category (ITC), in GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). The Federal Acquisition Service provides buying platforms and acquisition services to Federal, DoD, State, and Local governments for a broad range of items from office supplies and motor vehicles to information technology and telecommunications products and services. As an organization within FAS, ITC provides access to a wide range of commercial and custom IT products, services, and solutions.
As Assistant Commissioner, Laura manages the largest fee-for-service IT procurement and services operation in the U.S. government. Laura leads a highly-skilled and diverse workforce that manages more than 6,000 contracts, providing access to relevant and timely IT and telecommunications products, services, and solutions to defense and civilian agencies, as well as to state, local, and tribal governments. ITC facilitates more than $32 billion in annual government spending and has provided nearly $2 billion in savings to its customers.
Before rising to lead ITC, Laura served as its Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Category Management, where she oversaw a portfolio of acquisition solutions including the Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) Alliant 2, VETS 2, 8(a) STARS II and III. In addition, her portfolio also included the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) and the USAccess shared services programs. Laura’s guidance and oversight of the category teams helped ITC play a critical role in the Administration’s IT modernization efforts to drive a more efficient and effective government for the American people.
Laura came to ITC from GSA’s Office of Enterprise Strategy Management. As the Assistant Commissioner, Laura directed FAS’s strategic business planning, performance management, category management, and Acquisition Gateway adoption. She played an integral role in creating and executing a FAS strategic vision that aims to establish itself as the Government Acquisition Marketplace. She also coordinated with the Category Management Leadership Council and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to implement category management government-wide.
Laura was named a recipient of the 2015 Federal 100 Awards, presented to government, industry, and academic leaders who have played pivotal roles affecting how the federal government acquires, develops, and manages IT.
Laura received her Bachelor of Arts from Smith College and a Masters of Public Policy from Georgetown University. Her thesis on broadband adoption was published by the IEEE, the world’s largest professional association for the advancement of technology.
Sundar Vaidyanathan
Co-Founder and CEO
Karsun SolutionsSundar Vaidyanathan
Co-Founder and CEO
Karsun Solutions
Sundar Vaidyanathan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Karsun Solutions. In this role, he is responsible for overall strategic direction of the company, developing and executing long-term strategies, and driving business results. Sundar epitomizes Karsun’s commitment to modernizing enterprises through technology innovations. Sundar is a proven leader with deep expertise in developing strong customer relationships, a passion for building high-performance teams, and a disciplined focus on delivery excellence. Prior to founding Karsun Solutions, he held leadership roles at Unisys Corporation and KPMG Consulting, driving strategy and implementation of complex multi-million-dollar IT programs. Sundar is active in the federal IT community and has served in leadership positions at technology-focused industry organizations such as American Council of Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC). He currently serves on the board of ACT-IAC. Sundar holds a Bachelor Degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, a Master’s Degree in Electrical Communication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science and an MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland.
Venu Yerra
Founder and CEO
Idea Entity CorporationVenu Yerra
Founder and CEO
Idea Entity Corporation
Venu Yerra is the founder and CEO of Idea Entity Corporation. He is involved in all aspects of company strategy and day-to-day operations. Venu is a visionary executive, technologist, and change agent. Having emerged from the Microsoft ecosystem, Venu conceptualized and shaped Idea Entity into the essential services organization it is today. Venu is credited with bringing the Personal Software Process (PSP) and the Team Software Process (TSP) to Microsoft, where the framework was implemented on a global scale.
Venu and his team are proud of their commitment to three core values: functional empathy, a customer-centric approach, and giving unbiased advice. In conjunction with his advanced skillset and knowledge of information technology, systems, and processes, these three values helped Venu develop Rhybus. RhyBus is a comprehensive change management platform offering customized workflows for resident and remote workers.
RhyBus simplifies organizational change. We engage process owners, influencers, and end users to develop a digital model for the customer’s work process. Our solutions are intuitively familiar, building on incremental improvements that enable flexibility, productivity, transparency, and compliance. At RhyBus, we see a world where solutions are built around an existing process on familiar platforms so that you can simply go about your work bringing together the right people and resources with visibility that leaves nothing in the dark.
With over 20 years of software development, quality assurance, program management, and process management experience, Venu enjoys spending his time engaging in new client projects and bringing his technical and leadership abilities to surpass client expectations. Idea Entity's dynamic growth reflects his passion for enabling and mentoring people.
List of awards:
- Financial Times
- 2022 Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies
- Inc 5000
- 2021 Inc 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Companies
- 2021 Inc 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the D.C. Metro Region
- Seattle Business Magazine Top 100 Best Places to Work
- Microsoft U.S. Public Sector Diversity Partners Spotlight Contest