Jim McCarthy

Jim McCarthy is the Founder of AOC Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI). He has almost forty years of GovCon experience and leadership—first on Capitol Hill, then as founder of KSI. KSI is a leading consulting firm that has helped clients win over $200 billion dollars in government contracts. He also hosted the CBS/ WUSA9 television show Government Contracting Weekly from 2012-2014.

Recent Posts

25 Questions You Should Ask at a Post-Award Debrief

By Jim McCarthy on Oct 6, 2020

Imagine you are at the post-award debrief. Win or lose, you must search for the good, the bad, and the ugly about your proposal. 

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Four Reasons Why Companies Lose Contracts They Might Have Won

By Jim McCarthy on Feb 25, 2019

Sure, companies lose contracts because of faulty pricing, unqualified key personnel, lack of customer insight, a flawed strategy or approach, or some other technicality or non-compliance. But too often, these maladies are only symptoms, not the root causes for a loss. 

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2019 Government Contracting Outlook: Top 10 Trends

By Jim McCarthy on Nov 28, 2018

Each year at this time, we stop and take a breath. Clear our heads. Gain some perspective. And reconnoiter the GovCon horizon. 

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20 Laws of Winning Proposals

By Jim McCarthy on Sep 10, 2018

This time of year, the Government’s acquisition cycle is in full swing. Sometimes it helps to step back and consider what makes a difference between winning and losing government contracts.

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How to Survive a Red Team Review and Learn From It

By Jim McCarthy on Jul 12, 2018

All of us have been there. If not, your day will eventually come. The Red Team Review members have done their pigeon-like thing. Now, your proposal writers are swimming in the after wash. How do you learn from it, keep moving, and improve your proposal?  

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2018 Government Contracting Outlook: 10 Emerging Trends Identified

By Jim McCarthy on Mar 26, 2018

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (“The Act”), signed into law in March of 2018, provides $500 billion in new federal spending for defense and domestic programs over two years. 

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10 Keys to Landing a Federal Contract Teaming Arrangement

By Jim McCarthy on Dec 11, 2017

In federal contracting, multi-company teaming arrangements are the rule rather than the exception.

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10 Reasons to be Proud of Working in the Government Proposal World

By Jim McCarthy on Sep 29, 2017

We often hear negative representations of Government contractors, and these stories seem to garner a lot of media attention. But what about the positive impact these companies have on our larger community? Now more than ever, for professionals in the government market it's important to know that each day you come to work you are privileged to have the opportunity to do something great, difficult, unlikely, or nearly impossible to achieve.

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10 Ways A Positive Attitude Can Help You Become a Better Proposal Manager

By Jim McCarthy on Aug 17, 2014

Like it or not, as a Proposal Manager your attitude is infectious. For better or worse, you set the tone that others see and internalize. 

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Managing A Major Proposal? Before You Leap, Have A Vision

By Jim McCarthy on Oct 23, 2013

You've been assigned to manage a major proposal. Before springing into frenetic action, withdraw to your quiet place. Ground yourself. Anticipate. Plan. Preview in your mind the production about to unfold. Have a vision for how you will lead your team to win.

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