# Event Details - **Event Name**: Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel - **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 11:00 am – Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 02:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Two briefings on winning federal work and scaling from small business to mid-tier. Hosted in collaboration with The LaunchPortAbout this EventMichael Niggel is coming to City Garage for two days of practical, no-slideware sessions for founders, executives, and small business leaders in Baltimore.Mike founded ACT1 Federal (Advanced Concepts and Technologies International) and grew it from a one-person small business into a mid-tier government services firm serving DoD, DHS, the Intelligence Community, and allied governments. He has testified before Congress on how continuing resolutions and shutdowns hit small contractors, and he now advises early-stage and growing companies through Second Venture LLC.This is a follow-on to the February session at The LaunchPort, which covered program management and fundraising fundamentals. This round goes a level deeper into the mechanics of actually winning and executing federal work. We will also be about three weeks from fiscal year end, so the timing is live.Session 1: How to Bid and Execute a Federal or Defense ContractWednesday, September 9, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PMResponding to an RFPBuilding a team: prime and sub roles and responsibilitiesSubmitting the proposal: technical, management, cost, compliance, and what makes your firm stand outKickoff after award: meeting your government PMs and POCs, a resource-loaded integrated master schedule, CDRLs, acceptance, and getting paidCommunication with the government PM, the PCO, and the payment agencyGetting audit ready, and working through CRs and shutdownsLunch and networkingWednesday, September 9, 12:00 to 1:00 PMLight lunch provided. Please register so we get the count right.Session 2: How to Grow Your Business from Small to Mid-TierWednesday, September 9, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PMWhat counts as a small business in federal and defense work, and what is changing (NAICS consolidating from roughly 1,000 to 138, with size thresholds likely rising)From one person to $50M: the leader, people, resources, and outside help each stage requiresFrom $50M to $100M+ mid-tier, and what has to change about you as a leader to make that jump1:1 Office HoursThursday, September 10, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PMThirty-minute private sessions with Mike. Bring a live problem: a proposal you are weighing, a teaming decision, a growth bottleneck, a hiring call. Eight slots, first come first served.Who should attendFounders and executives of small and growing businesses, particularly those selling or hoping to sell into federal and defense markets. City Garage and LaunchPort tenants, Maryland and Baltimore economic development partners, and anyone in the local ecosystem weighing a first federal pursuit.Free to attend. Registration required for room count and lunch.Questions: Andrea Pais, andrea@novelmicrodevices.com https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/79f24a50-a637-11f1-8990-5d04d231a2dd-rimg-w681-h740-dcb8b8b8-gmir.jpg Speaker BioMichael Niggel is the Founder & CEO of Second Venture, L.L.C., providing advisory services to venture capital and technology firms across the national security, space, cyber, and healthcare sectors.He previously founded and led ACT1 Federal, L.L.C., a mid-tier defense contractor recognized among Virginia’s Fastest Growing Companies and Inc. 1000 honorees.Mr. Niggel’s national security experience spans over 35 years, managing major DoD, DHS, and Space programs, including international defense programs such as F-35 Foreign Military Sales and F-18/EA-18G Direct Commercial Sales.He has served as Industry Commissioner on the Atlantic Council’s 2023–2024 Defense Innovation Adoption Commission, co-chaired by former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James.Mike has also held leadership roles with SAIC, the Department of Defense, and served as a Presidential Management Fellow during the Reagan Administration.He serves on multiple boards, including the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) and Novel Microdevices, Inc., and is a member of the Economic Club of Washington and Reagan Foundation’s National Leadership Council.He holds an MPA in Finance and Policy Analysis from Indiana University and a BA with Distinction in Political Science & History from Hendrix College. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/baltimore/federal-contracting-and-business-growth-with-michael-niggel/100001999066774536 - **Event Categories**: fitness, Business, Meetups, science-fair - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Baltimore - **state**: MD - **country**: United States - **location**: 101 W Dickman St - **lat**: 39.2633077 - **long**: -76.6161797 - **full address**: 101 W Dickman St, 101 West Dickman Street, Baltimore, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/6676c84a0145721d29e9f9c9935a0948a1d922b99f61b67b7d2b5bb3d2899938-rimg-w1200-h750-dcf8f8f8-gmir.jpg?v=1788289290 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel being held? - **A:** Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel takes place on Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 11:00 am to Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 at 02:00 pm at 101 W Dickman St, 101 West Dickman Street, Baltimore, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel? - **A:** Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel is organized by Second Venture, LLC. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Federal Contracting and Business Growth with Michael Niggel is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Baltimore, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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