Sue Tellier GRBJ 2022 Award

JetCo Federal President Named Among 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (February 18, 2022) — Sue Schweim Tellier, President of JetCo Federal, has been named among the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s (GRBJ) 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan for 2022.

According to the GRBJ, “Honorees were selected by the editorial department based on community involvement, leadership capabilities, depth of responsibility, and participation in mentoring other women.”

Schweim Tellier started JetCo Federal in 2007. Under her leadership, the company has significantly expanded its services for government and defense prime contractors.

Schweim Tellier is active in small business advocacy, serving as a second vice chair of the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). She was appointed by Governor Whitmer to serve as a Michigan Strategic Fund Board Member in 2019, and was reappointed to another 4-year term in 2021.

She actively serves on the Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Leadership Advisory Council as Vice Chair and is a WIPP board member. Schweim Tellier also leads in the defense industry, serving as Vice Chair for the Women in Defense National Council and as Vice President of Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter.

Schweim Tellier holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs Management from Michigan State University and a Graduate Certificate in Economic Development from Wayne State University.

The GRBJ 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan celebrates West Michigan women who are making a difference in the community. View the full list of 2022 influential women on the GRBJ’s website.

Mary Bruce Logistics Manager

Mary Bruce Joins JetCo Federal as Logistics Manager

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (December 17, 2021) — JetCo Federal, a Grand Rapids-based supply chain management and logistics company, welcomed a new team member this month.

Mary Bruce

Mary Bruce

Mary Bruce joins the JetCo Federal team as a Logistics Manager. In this role, she coordinates logistics for deliveries, manages broker relationships, and supports our quality management systems.

Mary brings with her over 20 years of management, logistics, and freight brokerage experience. In her most recent position, Mary was a broker for a nationally recognized truckload carrier. She is a Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) and has held several positions in logistics and operations management.

To learn more about the JetCo Federal team, please visit our leadership page.

Podcast of Sue Tellier

JetCo Federal President Talks Defense Contracting on The Michigan Opportunity Podcast

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JetCo Federal’s President, Sue Tellier, chats with host, Ed Clemente, about small business, defense contracting, and more on The Michigan Opportunity podcast. Listen to the full podcast (episode 39) on the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) website.

Capital Building Black and White

JetCo Federal President to Moderate Webinar on Pathways to Government Procurement Success

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JetCo Federal’s President, Sue Tellier, will moderate a Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) webinar titled “Government Procurement – Pathways to Success” on Monday, December 13 at 2 PM EST.

According to WIPP, to succeed in government contracting, it takes a well-laid plan, focus, patience, and resilience. The webinar will feature four women business owners as they share their story of trials and triumphs on the journey to success using WOSB, 8a, and HUBZone programs. 

To find more information and register for the event, visit WIPP’s website. 

Paul Laidler Blog Picture

Paul Laidler Joins JetCo Federal as Director of Operations

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GRAND RAPIDS, MICH (October 28, 2021) — JetCo Federal, a Grand Rapids-based supply chain management and logistics company, welcomed a new team member this month.

Paul Laidler

Paul Laidler joins the JetCo Federal team as Director of Operations. In this role, he leads strategic planning, business development, and management of the company’s day-to-day operations. 

Laidler brings with him extensive experience in the logistics, supply chain, and manufacturing industries. In his most recent position, he served as assistant plant manager and process engineer for a contract manufacturer of machined, painted, and illuminated components for the aerospace, military, and automotive industries.

Laidler is a graduate of Michigan State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management.

To learn more about the JetCo Federal team, please visit our leadership page.

Sue Tellier WIPP Board of Directors

JetCo Federal President Elected to Women Impacting Public Policy Board of Directors

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Grand Rapids, MICH (Oct 27, 2021) — Sue (Schweim) Tellier, Owner and President of Grand Rapids-based JetCo Federal, a supply chain management and logistics company, was recently elected as the new Leadership Advisory Council Vice Chair and a Member of the Board for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

WIPP is a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs—strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations.

(Schweim) Tellier will assume her positions on WIPP’s board starting January 1 of 2022 and will work with fellow board members to execute and deliver strategic objectives for the organization.

“WIPP is widely respected for their advocacy on behalf of women-owned small businesses, and their knowledge of programs that support women entrepreneurs,” said (Schweim) Tellier. “The business owners and leaders I have met through WIPP are already lifelong friends – they are women who generously share their time and talent. I’m honored to serve with them, and I’m excited to further WIPP’s mission.”

Kathie Fuce-Hobohm of Space, Inc. (also a Michigan business owner), Pamela O’Rourke of Icon Information Consultants, LaJuanna Russell of Business Management Associates, and Andrea Tsakanikas of CrewFacilities.com join (Schweim) Tellier as newly elected WIPP board members.

For more information about Women Impacting Public Policy, please visit www.wipp.org/.

Courtney Fairchild from Global Services

Woman-Owned Business Spotlight: Global Services

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In this edition of our woman-owned small business spotlight series, we feature Global Services, headed by President and CEO, Courtney Fairchild. In 23 years within the arena of federal proposals and GSA Schedules, Global Services has empowered clients with over 3,000 contract awards valuing more than 20 billion dollars.

Global Services Logo

Author’s note: Global Services doesn’t just empower clients – they generously share knowledge that builds stronger compliance systems, which enable scale for sales. Also, they’re fun.

Courtney Fairchild shares her story with us:

Can you give us some background on your start with Global Services?

I have been with Global Services since our inception, and I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the company seventeen years ago. Since the beginning, I worked in and developed every aspect of our business allowing it to morph along the way guided by client demand. For me, the only logical step was to make it my own!

What is your proudest moment for the company?

My proudest moment for our company was crossing the $1,000,000 revenue threshold in our early years. I remembered a statistic in American Express Small Business Reports that less than 3% of Women-Owned Businesses had revenue in excess of $1,000,000 and I was thrilled to be a part of this elite group.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome with Global Services?

Over seven years ago, just as I had poised Global Services to truly grow, it became clear to me that my business partner was not interested in taking this journey or risk any further.  Believing in myself, and what I had created over time, I decided to purchase the other half of our company. Since that time, I have been able to lead Global Services to over 66% revenue growth.

What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?

Embrace your fear. A lot of people think entrepreneurship is about not being afraid, but the truth is that it is more about acknowledging the fear. As you take risks, it is essential that you recognize, analyze, and experience your fear in order to be able to push past it.

Do you have any suggestions on resources that women-owned small businesses should use?

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is a strong resource for all WOSBs who want to grow their businesses. WIPP is a national nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs—strengthening their impact on our nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations. I am honored to serve on the WIPP Board of Directors.

Another author’s note: Courtney is a badass WOSB advocate. She demonstrates support of women entrepreneurs routinely – with her actions and her guidance. I met Courtney through WIPP. She was welcoming, and she’s encouraged me to increase my involvement with the organization.

To learn more about Global Services, please visit https://www.globalservicesinc.com/.

Two men signing a contract

Breaking Down OTAs in Government Contracting

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Other Transaction Authority (OTA), also referred to as Other Transactions (OTs), are procurement methods other than contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. They allow flexible business arrangements to obtain research and development to support technology advancement or to quickly develop a prototype outside of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). In other words, OTAs are a way for small businesses to work with the government without dealing with red tape.

OTA Details

OTA prototype contracts can be up to $250 million in value and can be fixed-price, expenditure-based, or hybrid. Additionally, they:

  • Must use a nontraditional defense contractor,
  • Have all participants be small businesses,
  • Or, have at least a third of its total cost paid by parties other than the government.

Agencies must be authorized by Congress to use OTs and government Contracting Officers must have Agreement Officer authority to award OTs. The following federal agencies currently have Congressional authorization for OTs, but there are specific OT requirements, limitations, and restrictions for each agency:

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
  • Department of Defense (DOD)
  • Department of Energy (DOE)
  • Human Health Services (HHS)
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO)
  • Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Why OTAs?

OTAs have become a core element of the Department of Defense’s approach to technology and acquisition. DoD OTA obligations increased 75% in fiscal year 2019 and have increased 712% since fiscal year 2015. Why? Congress has been giving the Department of Defense OTAs to allow the Pentagon to take more risks in acquisition and fail before money is spent building a whole program.

Overall, OTAs are becoming more popular in government contracting and an increase in these opportunities could occur in the coming years.

Where can I find OTAs or Research and Development (R&D) opportunities?

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) R&D uses the Federal Contract Opportunities website at SAM.gov to post their opportunities using Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). More information on how to find these opportunities can be found on the DLA website.