The 2025 Fort Meade Small Business Conference on February 27 provided more than 200 attendees with three unique panels to help them gain insight into contracting opportunities, small business initiatives and positioning their companies for success.
The event started with a practical CMMC discussion between Melissa McCoy, CTO at Kaizen Approach, Inc., and TJ Greenier, President of Clarity Business Solutions, Inc. moderated by Quentin Smith, COO at Set of X. The panel shared detailed CMMC insights for small businesses, whether they are well prepared for upcoming compliance requirements or have work still to do. They addressed CMMC requirements from both the tool/technology and corporate policy perspectives and shared valuable information from the local GCC High and Google users’ groups.
The second panel focused on the resources available to small businesses through programs at DISA, NSA and CYBERCOM. The panel, moderated by Bill Dunahoo, Chair of the FMA Meade Business Connect Committee, included Carlen Capenos of DISA, Michelle Neubauer of USCYBERCOM and Daniel A. Merrill of NSA.
The final panel included USCYBERCOM’s Neubauer, Maria Taylor from NSA, Christopher A. Gray from DISA and was moderated by Donté Lewis, Principal at Vine Technology Solutions. The procurement leaders for each command/agency focused on winning strategies at each of their agencies. Each leader shared that their organizations, like the rest of the federal government, have been asked to recommend cuts. USCYBERCOM’s request for additional funding for expanding mission activities is being considered. If received, this would offset the budget cuts they have been asked to make.
