Crawford Olin, LLC

08/19/2026

In GovCon, not every opportunity has to be a prime contract to move your business forward.

A subcontracting opportunity can help you build:

* Past performance
* Strategic partnerships
* Revenue
* Federal contracting experience

It can also help you gain credibility, expand your capacity, and develop relationships that lead to larger opportunities.

What role will subcontracting play in your FY2027 GovCon growth strategy?

08/17/2026

$94 BILLION.💰

That’s roughly how much went to small businesses through federal subcontracting in FY2025.

Subcontracting may not always get the same attention as winning a prime contract, but it can be a powerful way to enter and grow in the federal marketplace.

Even a smaller subcontract can help you build experience, relationships, past performance, and revenue.

🗣️Don’t dismiss a small opportunity just because it isn’t the big contract yet.

Sometimes it’s the door to the next one.

Is subcontracting part of your GovCon strategy?

08/14/2026

As we move toward the end of FY2026, our team at Crawford Olin has been wondering if small businesses are gaining ground in federal contracting—or are we starting to move backward?

In June 2026, the SBA released the FY2025 Small Business Procurement Scorecard.

The numbers were still significant:

➡️ About $179 billion in federal prime contracts went to small businesses.
➡️ Small businesses received nearly 28% of eligible federal prime contracting dollars.
➡️ Prime and subcontract awards combined totaled nearly $273 billion.

But FY2024 prime awards were approximately $183.5 billion, so there is an important trend to watch.

- What will FY2026 tell us?
- Will small-business contracting dollars increase?
- Will small businesses maintain their share of the federal marketplace?
- And will more small firms actually have an opportunity to compete?

The federal market is still BIG—and there is still room for capable small businesses.

But as FY2026 closes, businesses should already be thinking ahead:

✅ What agencies buy what we sell?
✅ What does our FY2027 pipeline look like?
✅ Where is federal spending headed?
✅ Are we positioning ourselves early enough to compete?

The opportunity is still there. The question is whether small businesses are positioned to capture it.

What do you think FY2026 will show: progress, a plateau, or a step backward?



Read the SBA FY2025 Scorecard:
https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/06/25/sba-releases-fy25-scorecard-small-business-contracting

08/13/2026

Don't overlook small purchases while chasing large contracts.

Sometimes the smartest GovCon growth strategy starts small.

08/13/2026

QUESTION OF THE DAY: How are we actually employing AI in our businesses and nonprofits? 🤖

There’s a big difference between trying AI and actually using it to change how your organization operates.

A 2026 Goldman Sachs survey found that 76% of small businesses surveyed are using AI.

Even better:

✅ 93% of AI users reported a positive impact.
✅ 84% said it improved efficiency and productivity.

But here's the interesting part:

Only 14% said AI is fully integrated into their core business operations.

So maybe the real conversation isn't, “Are you using AI?”

Maybe it’s: What are you actually using it for?

Are you using AI to:

- Save administrative time?
- Create marketing content?
- Analyze information?
- Improve customer service?
- Write proposals or reports?
- Automate repetitive work?

Or are you still figuring out where it belongs?

How is AI actually showing up in your business or nonprofit today? Has it changed the way you work, or is it still just another tool you're exploring?

Drop your experience in the comments. 👇



Read more:
https://www.goldmansachs.com/pressroom/press-releases/2026/small-businesses-embrace-ai-but-need-training-and-support-to-fully-harness-it

08/12/2026

Small business owners are feeling a little more optimistic. That's good news. But are we ready for growth?

The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index reached 99.8 in July—the highest level since August 2025.

And 20% of small business owners said they plan to create jobs within the next three months, the highest level since October 2022.

That's encouraging.

But growing a business requires more than confidence.

If more customers come through the door tomorrow, can your business handle it?

Do you have enough people?
Are your processes working?
Could technology help your team do more?
Do you have enough cash flow to support growth?

Sometimes the biggest challenge isn't finding the opportunity. It's being ready when the opportunity arrives.

Our Crawford Olin takeaway: Confidence is useful. Preparedness is better.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to preparing your business for growth?



Learn more: https://www.wsj.com/business/entrepreneurship/u-s-small-business-confidence-rose-last-month-b00a3baf?mod=Searchresults&pos=1&page=1

08/12/2026

Your budget has changed...but business hasn’t stopped!

You STILL need a strategy, expertise, and support to grow.

That’s why Crawford Olin created Name Your Own Price!

Tell us what you need, what you can invest, and we’ll show you what meaningful support is possible within your budget.

You set the budget. We define what’s possible.

Learn more at crawfordolin.com

Schedule a free or strategic consultation with Crawford Olin to clarify challenges, explore opportunities, and identify the right next step. Choose the consultation that fits your needs.

07/30/2026

In a competitive market, being good is not enough. Buyers need to quickly understand what makes your business different, and why they should choose you.

Crawford Olin helps companies clarify, package, prove, and position what they sell so they stand out against competitors and earn buyer confidence.

🌐 crawfordolin.com

07/29/2026

Every business is different. That's why a one-size-fits-all solution rarely delivers lasting results.

At Crawford Olin, we customize our consulting services to fit your organization, your industry, and your goals. Whether you're a government contractor, commercial business, startup, or growing organization, we help you build the systems and strategies needed to succeed.

We help organizations:
• Position strategically.
• Pursue the right opportunities.
• Deliver consistently.
• Grow with confidence.

When your business has the right strategy and the right systems, growth becomes intentional—not accidental.

🌐 www.crawfordolin.com

07/28/2026

Growth looks different for every organization, and Crawford Olin is built to meet you where you are.

We support government contractors, commercial businesses, startups, early-stage companies, companies entering the federal market, GovCon firms expanding into commercial work, and partner organizations.

Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. We design customized solutions that help you:

✅ Position with purpose.
✅ Pursue the right opportunities.
✅ Deliver with confidence.
✅ Grow systematically.

No matter your market, Crawford Olin helps turn strategy into action, and action into growth.