# Ep 422: How Smart Companies Win Government Contracts

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/game-changers-for-government-contractors-51555/ep-422-how-smart-companies-win-government-contracts
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/game-changers-for-government-contractors-51555/ep-422-how-smart-companies-win-government-contracts.md
Podcast: [Game Changers for Government Contractors](https://stenobird.com/podcast/game-changers-for-government-contractors-51555)
Published: 2026-05-11T10:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rsmfederal.com/game-changers-podcast/ep-422-how-smart-companies-win-government-contracts
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3f626c09-e48a-4c44-b399-389a0bf74d56.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/game-changers-for-government-contractors-51555/episodes/ep-422-how-smart-companies-win-government-contracts
Duration seconds: 1634

## Resource

Most government contractors aren’t losing because they lack effort. They’re losing because they’re doing the wrong work and calling it progress. In this episode, Michael sits down with Rich Earnest to break down what actually drives success in government contracting. After 20+ years in the game, Rich pulls back the curtain on why most companies get stuck chasing bids while a small group consistently wins. The difference comes down to one thing: systems. They dive into the real role of pre-acquisition, why “busy work” is killing growth, and how relationship-driven strategy beats reactive bidding every time. Rich also shares lessons from his new book, including the mindset required to win, why execution matters more than endless research, and what most contractors forget the moment they enter GovCon. If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and want a smarter way to win contracts, this episode will challenge how you’re playing the game.

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## Transcript

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