Chantilly, VA – April 4, 2012 – AOC Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI), a Chantilly, Virginia-based small business, announced today that it reached the $114 billion threshold in total federal government contract wins for its clients.

Key Solutions is a strategic and proposal development firm headquartered in Northern Virginia. The firm helps government contractors win complex contracts of critical national importance by providing innovative contract “capture” and proposal support.

“Since our formation in 1983, we have played a role in helping clients win some of the largest and most technically complex contracts in the business,” noted Dr. Richard Nathan, KSI’s CEO and President. For each of the past five years, KSI has won an average $9.1 billion per year for clients. The company’s clients range from small start up firms to the largest defense and aerospace contractors in the nation and the world.

“The $114 billion benchmark is a significant milestone in our history,” Nathan added. “Of course, it means even more to our clients, to the regional economy, and to the professional labor market in and around the DC area.”

Key Solutions focuses on several thriving and competitive markets within the government contracts sector. These markets include information technology, energy and environment, defense and homeland security, and operation of government facilities and infrastructure.

“Clients hire us to provide the key to winning government contracts when failure is not an option,” said Nathan. “There are no silver medals for second place. Stakes are high. Jobs and careers hang in the balance,’ he noted. “We know how to win, and how to win the right way.”

Since its inception, Key Solutions’ client base has grown to over 225 companies, most of which are headquartered or have a major presence in the DC area. The company has helped its clients win work from over 75 federal agencies. Projects include securing the nation’s borders, protecting critical communications infrastructure, and cleaning up nuclear waste sites.

“One of our university clients is even exploring the origins of the universe,” Nathan commented. “We helped them unseat a prestigious national laboratory to win.”

Today’s $114 billion announcement came as the firm received word that its clients had received 45 awards totaling nearly $9 billion in 2011. The 45 separate awards in a 12 month period sets an all time high for annual wins for the company.

KSI employs 45 full time marketing and proposal development specialists and is supported by a resource base of over 250 part time employees, consultants, and technical experts.

Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Billion Dollar Club, Contract Awards, Wins
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Please join me welcoming the newest addition to our team, Doug Brisson!

Doug has served as an Associate with Key Solutions since last year and has worked on a number of projects with rave reviews. He is currently on assignment as a Technical Writer.

Doug lives in Alexandria, VA with his wife and family. He is very involved with the Boy Scouts of America and enjoys camping in the great outdoors.

Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Doug Brisson, Proposal Writer
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KSI proudly announces that today, February 8, marks the eighth anniversary of the date Don Ehreth joined the company as a Senior Associate. Since he began in 2004, Don has worked on over 30 proposals for KSI and our clients. Don’s work has spanned massive turnkey proposals to one of a kind focused and select smaller efforts including rapid response task orders assignments. Don has served in every role imaginable to include proposal manager, volume lead, section captain, and writer for technical and management, resumes, experience, past performance, transition, staffing, and QA/QC plans. He has directed or supported a vast array of diverse proposals ultimately destined for such agencies as the Army, Agriculture, Job Corps, Treasury, DARPA, NASA, and National Science Foundation.

Don’s Perspectives
I thought you might be interested in some of Don’s perspectives from his vantage point. At least one of them is unassailable.

First KSI Proposal Don Worked: a NASA proposal for client ESRI

First KSI Capture Manager Don Worked With: Ken Schutz

Current KSI Capture Manager Don Worked With: Ken Schutz

Don’s Favorite Proposal: Antarctic Support Contract prepared in Denver

Best Looking at KSI: Jim McCarthy

Don’s Most Rewarding Proposal: An effort with CSC to support actual war fighters by equipping vehicles with a radio interference capability to thwart IEDs

KSI’s Most Outstanding Attributes According to Don:

 “Teamwork”
 “The willingness of everyone to deflect credit to others”
 “Service to the client”
 “The pervasive culture of ethics and integrity”
 “Quality of work”

Seen It All
In a recent conversation with Don, he reminisced over some changes he has personally observed both in the marketplace and at KSI during his tenure:

 Don was part of the original Egyptian Pyramid Design-Build Project where he served on a multi-disciplinary proposal team led by Pharaoh himself

 Proposals have become increasingly more complex and technically sophisticated since he first used the quill pen as his primary writing instrument

 The number of proposal firms and proposal consultants have mushroomed to the point that you can’t shake a stick in any direction without striking one

 The 8(a) program rocketed into widespread use and the Alaskan Native Corporation setaside program has blossomed and is now on the eclipse

 KSI has grown from a nice, successful boutique firm into one of the industry’s thought leaders and best in the business

 OMB Circular A-76 has come and is now virtually gone

 He has watch our CFO emerge into a well rounded force

 Cost plus contracts are on the decline in favor of more firm fixed price vehicles

 GSA’s framework of Schedules, and GWACs are no longer considered leading edge, cost cheap, or unique

 Small companies have their niches. Large companies their breadth. It is mid-sized companies who are now the endangered species

 Agencies are making more use than ever of hunting licenses and empty buckets such as IDIQ contracts, multiple award contracts, and accompanying task orders

 Lowest evaluated price is making a comeback, only this time cloaked in the vernacular of “best value”

In any case, if you are around the Chantilly office the next couple of days, please stop by and offer your congratulations to Don for his achievements. And while you are at it, you might just stop and thank him for being such a model associate, outstanding gentleman, and selfless worker on our behalf. Our company is the better for having the likes of Don with us.

Category: News
Tags: Associate, Don Ehreth, Proposal Manager, Proposal Writer
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Each year Key Solutions gives awards to employees who deserve special recognition. Last night, 11 were given out at our quarterly staff meeting. Congratulations to all!

Dan Marsh – Key Ambassador Award
Lois Gannon – Key to PCW Award
Bill Hinz – Key Lightning Bolt Award
Ann Fife – Key Behind It All Award
Colleen McCarthy – Key to the Future Award
John Sullivan – Welcome Aboard Award
Ellen Perrine – Key to Quality Award
Tim O’Connor – Richard A. Nathan Award
Stan Stolpe – Kevin M. Berrigan Award
Ed Zimmerman – Key Associate Award

Category: News

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As a capture or proposal manager for a government contract, eventually someone will call for a technical “solution architecture.” Unfortunately, most do not know what one is, what it looks like, or the difference between a good one and a bad one. There is no commonly accepted definition or measure of merit for what constitutes a technical solution. Moreover, even experienced writers fail to realize that, for most proposals, there is usually not a (single) solution architecture, but many.
What is a technical solution? Simply stated: it is your answer to one or more of your customer’s pressing needs or significant challenges. There are many ways to approach your solution. Here is one proven to work.

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Category: Articles
Tags: Capture Manager, Proposal Manager, Solution Architecture
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