Dale Davidson, the author of 'Going 1099: How To Become Solo Federal Sub-Contractor', shares his wisdom on transitioning to solo federal subcontracting. He discusses the intricacies of navigating hourly billing, the vital importance of security clearance, and how to build strong client relationships. Dale highlights the challenges of moving from employee to independent contractor while managing the complexities of government contracts. He also shares personal stories that emphasize flexibility, work-life balance, and finding one's niche in the contracting world.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Leverage Skills for 1099 Role
Dale used his unique skill of Excel data analysis combined with security clearance as leverage to go 1099 on an hourly role.
This allowed him to increase his income and gain more autonomy while still billing hourly.
insights INSIGHT
Value of Clearance and Relationships
Security clearance is not absolutely necessary but increases scarcity and value in federal contracting.
Strong client relationships are at least as important as skills to gain leverage with government clients.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Leverage Existing Government Relationships
To become a solo subcontractor, leverage relationships you already have as a government contractor with prime contractors and clients.
Offer your skills to primes who need to fill contract positions to gain autonomy and better pay on 1099.
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How to become a solo federal sub-contractor and gain control of your working life, earn more money, and unlock more free time
Dale Davidson
The experience economy
B. Joseph Pine II
Originally published in 1999, 'The Experience Economy' by B. Joseph Pine II and James H. Gilmore outlines the progression of economic offerings from commodities to goods to services and finally to experiences. The authors argue that in the experience economy, businesses must stage memorable events to engage customers. The book uses the metaphor of theater to explain how businesses can create these experiences, emphasizing themes such as esthetic, escapist, educational, and entertainment experiences. An updated version released in 2019 focuses on competing for customer time, attention, and money in the digital age[1][2][3].
The author of “Going 1099: How To Become Solo Federal Sub-Contractor”, Dale Davidson, joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss the journey of becoming a solo federal subcontractor.
(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
(00:17) - Dale Davidson's Background
(00:49) - Navigating Hourly Billing in Government Contracts
(01:39) - Transitioning to 1099 Subcontracting
(04:01) - Importance of Security Clearance
(05:51) - Client Relationships and Consulting
(07:06) - Understanding Government Contracting
(16:01) - Becoming a Prime Contractor
(33:52) - Hiring Employees and Scaling Up
(35:41) - Recruiting and Retaining Talent
(36:24) - Scaling Up: Employees and Income
(37:17) - The Soloist's Dilemma
(38:53) - Challenges of Growing a Business
(41:17) - The Admin Burden
(48:02) - The Hourly Trap
(49:39) - Government Contracting Insights
(53:12) - Personal Stories and Advice
(58:32) - Finding Your Niche and Passion
(01:09:15) - Promoting the Book and Final Thoughts
In this conversation, Jonathan Stark and Dale Davidson discuss the journey of becoming a solo federal subcontractor, focusing on the challenges and opportunities within government contracting. They explore the nuances of hourly billing, the importance of security clearance, and the significance of client relationships. Dale shares insights on transitioning from employee to 1099 contractor, the role of subcontracting, and the complexities of government contracts. The discussion also touches on the mental shift required when moving from a corporate environment to self-employment, the importance of setting boundaries, and the value of understanding market demand.
TAKEAWAYS
Hourly billing is the norm in government subcontracting.
Security clearance can significantly increase your value in government contracting.
Building strong client relationships is crucial for success as a contractor.
Transitioning from employee to 1099 contractor offers more freedom and control.
Subcontracting is a common practice in government work and can provide opportunities.
Understanding the different types of government contracts is essential for contractors.
Fixed price contracts are rare but can be negotiated successfully.
Finding opportunities in government contracts requires diligence and networking.
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Before you go!
The next time someone asks you for your hourly rate, I want you to stop what you're doing and head on over to valuepricingbootcamp.com to sign up for my free value pricing email course.
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