When solicitations stall and awards go ghost, don’t let your pipeline get spooked.

As Halloween Eve approaches and we reflect on a year of shifting priorities and tight timelines, this is a chance to be part of one more standout moment for our GovCon community.

Whether you are local to Northern Virginia or planning to join virtually, we are setting the stage for a candid, high-signal conversation that brings Contracts together with BD, Capture, Sales, and Pricing for real-world takeaways and smart dialogue.

Come for the insights. Stay for the cross-functional energy. Leave with practical moves you can use the next business day.

We are shaking things up with an after-work Thursday session. A triple threat:

• Appetizers + drinks at 5:30 PM. Network with fellow GovCon pros. 🍤🍷
• Fireside chat 6:00-7:30 PM. Bidding in the Age of Cancellation: practical moves when solicitations stall. 📘
• More networking. The best insights often land in the second conversation🍹

Amanda J. Windle

Chief Growth Officer, Integral

Amanda brings 25+ years across the Intelligence Community, DoD, DHS, and Federal Civilian markets. She has led growth and capture at AWS, Novetta, Raytheon Blackbird Technologies, and ManTech, winning nearly $4B in prime contracts. Amanda built ISO-9001-aligned BD, capture, and proposal processes and knows how growth, pricing, and delivery stay aligned when timelines shift. A U.S. Army veteran and DLI graduate.

We’re shaking things up: instead of our usual Friday morning seminar, we’re hosting this event after work on a Thursday evening. Why? Because we’re turning this into a triple threat:

1. Appetizers + Drinks @ 5:30 PM – network with your fellow GovCon pros 🍤🍷
2. Seminar @ 6:30 PM – learn everything you need to know about CPSRs 📘
3. More networking after – because the best insights sometimes happen over your second glass 🍹

With the increase in spending, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and shifting acquisition strategies, CPSRs remain one of the most talked-about — and misunderstood — components of government contracting compliance. Whether you're prepping for your first review or supporting prime contractors as a sub, this session will break it all down.

CPSR audits are conducted by DCMA and have become increasingly nuanced in recent years, especially with increased attention to cybersecurity, subcontracting, source selection documentation, and compliance with DFARS and FAR Part 44.

Mark Hijar has acted as the POC or SME for more than 175 CPSRs and currently serves as the managing partner of ProcureLinx LLC. Along with supporting the Philly Startup Leaders nonprofit as an operations officer and serving as a Senior Fellow for the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), Mark is a recent inventor with a patent pending in cybersecurity methods for AI platforms focusing on prompt integrity and learned data access and security. The latter method uses the “memorization” process of AI models to ensure covered data (including CUI, CDI, and HIPAA data) is properly handled, stored and/or rendered useless to hackers and other unauthorized parties after platform task completion.

Join us for Connections Over Cocktails, where professionals from the GovCon, contracts, and procurement space come together to network, exchange ideas, and unwind after work. Meet new contacts, reconnect with colleagues, and enjoy a casual evening with great conversation.

The landscape of federal contracting is undergoing significant transformation. Executive Orders, procurement reform efforts like DOGE, and a looming rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR 2.0) are all reshaping how government contractors operate—and how they must adapt.

This seminar offers a plain-English walk-through of what’s happening now and what’s likely coming next. From consolidations under GSA to agency budget cuts and shifting compliance expectations, GovCon expert Christoph Mlinarchik will guide attendees through the emerging policy terrain with clarity, perspective, and a healthy dose of real-world strategy.

This is more than just an update—it’s a strategic debrief. Expect a timely, candid conversation that helps demystify the federal acquisition buzz, answer your questions, and prepare you and your organization to respond with confidence.

Whether you’re looking for practical compliance takeaways, seeking to understand how these changes impact your agency or business, or just trying to stay ahead of what’s next—this session is for you.

Christopher Mlinarchik is a nationally recognized government contracts expert, attorney, bestselling author, and award-winning instructor. With extensive experience across the Department of Defense, private industry, and as a consultant, Christoph brings a rare combination of legal insight, practical strategy, and plain-language clarity to the complex world of federal acquisition.

He has negotiated, reviewed, and managed billions of dollars in government contracts, served as a senior contracting officer, and provided expert guidance to professionals across defense, IT, healthcare, construction, and beyond. His clients have ranged from small businesses to C-level executives seeking strategic advice in a rapidly changing GovCon environment.

Christoph is the author of the acclaimed Government Contracts in Plain English series and was recognized by NCMA as one of the “Top Professionals Under 40” and for “Best Article of the Year.” He’s also a dynamic speaker known for his engaging teaching style, relatable insights, and real-world takeaways.

Since taking office, the Trump Administration has issued several Executive Orders directed at federal contractors and grantees. In addition, the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sought to reduce federal spending by identifying contracts and grants for termination.

Initially, agencies were directed to freeze or pause funding, leading to stop work orders. More recently, agencies have begun terminating contracts for convenience.

Kara Sacilotto and Kevin Maynard will provide attendees with practical guidance on what to do in the event of a stop work order or termination notice, including:

• Best practices for communication and documentation of impacts
• How to prepare and negotiate termination settlement proposals
• Strategies for minimizing risk and protecting your business

Kara focuses on government contracts litigation, suspension & debarment, compliance, and investigations. She advises on emerging risks such as cybersecurity compliance, procurement collusion, and AI in federal procurement. Kara has testified before Congress on federal procurement matters and has served as an adjunct professor on government contracts.

Kevin represents clients on all aspects of federal, state, and local procurement matters, including contract claims, disputes, bid protests, and government investigations. He also advises on compliance issues and False Claims Act actions.

Unwind, connect, and expand your professional network at Wine & Wins! This in-person event is perfect for GovCon, contracting, procurement, and PMO professionals looking to build relationships and share insights in a relaxed setting. Enjoy two drink tickets and appetizers provided by the Chapter while engaging in meaningful conversations with industry peers.

Joint ventures allow certain businesses to be more effective competing for government contracts due to socio-economic status limitations, certification requirements, past performance, management, or even personnel offerings. In this program, we will explore why Joint Ventures are becoming popular, what is driving the confusion and controversy around both legislation and regulation interpretation, proposal evaluation, and business needs. The seminar will offer practical and specific strategic and tactical guidance on how to navigate the joint venture corporate structure that is proving to be a driving force behind: (i) how IDIQ and GWAC solicitations are being structured; (ii) contributing to lengthy and conflicting solicitation Question & Answer periods causing delays; and (iii) Business Interests of the “Value Add.”

Mr. Pavlak is a Federal Government Contracts expert with more than a decade of experience leading Small Businesses through the Large Business transition from a regulatory, compliance, and corporate risk management standpoint. Mr. Pavlak has extensive experience negotiating Federal Government Contracts, drafting Cost/Business Volumes, and handling sensitive risk management issues. As part of the executive team, Mr. Pavlak ensures rapidly growing Small Businesses have the internal infrastructure necessary to successfully become competitive Large Businesses.
Mr. Pavlak holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The George Washington University Law School, a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University, and has been an NES instructor with the National Contracts Management Association.

Federal Supply Chain Management SME and patent-pending inventor Mark Hijar will provide both general and specific considerations when using Artificial Intelligence to help manage your procurement processes. After exploring the basics of AI and its potential for greater documentation quality and process efficiency, attendees will learn about several specific opportunities for near-term adoption of emerging technology to increase productivity and reduce mistakes when meeting various reporting requirements and documenting different stages of a compliant federal procurement activity.

​Mark Hijar has acted as the POC or SME for more than 175 CPSRs and currently serves as the managing partner of ProcureLinx LLC. Along with supporting the Philly Startup Leaders nonprofit as an operations officer and serving as a Senior Fellow for the Information Technology Acquisition Advisory Council (IT-AAC), Mark is a recent inventor with a patent pending in cybersecurity methods for AI platforms focusing on prompt integrity and learned data access and security. The latter method uses the “memorization” process of AI models to ensure covered data (including CUI, CDI, and HIPAA data) is properly handled, stored and/or rendered useless to hackers and other unauthorized parties after platform task completion.

Join us for a fantastic evening of networking and fun at the Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar! This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to connect with professionals from both the NCMA Dulles Corridor and NCMA Tysons chapters.

Located on Explorer Street in Reston, VA, this lively venue sets the stage for a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. Whether you're an industry veteran or just starting out, this event offers a relaxed environment to build connections, share insights, and expand your professional network.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to meet like-minded professionals in the field. Mark your calendars and join us for an evening of networking, laughter, and great conversations. We can't wait to see you there!