What Partners & Peers Say
Trusted by operators, prime contractors, and federal sales strategists across the GovCon community.
Results clients can point to.
I formed Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise LLC in 2009 and never landed a federal contract. I went through several firms looking for help and got nowhere with any of them. GovPath Strategies got us registered and active in SAM.gov, sorted out our industry codes, and walked my office through the Small Business Administration application until our service-disabled veteran-owned small business certification letter came through. He told me straight when one market wasn’t worth my money, which nobody before him had done. And when the contract was closed and paid, he sent us a written plan for what to pursue next and offered his time to walk us through it. He isn’t looking to bill hours. He wants us to win something.
- Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise (SDVE) LLC
Mr. Goodstein entrusted me to handle the registration and certification on his behalf, so I was the one on every call with Michael Doughty. I am not a technology person, and we were badly stuck: locked out of accounts, error messages nobody could explain, a support ticket that couldn’t be reopened. Michael worked it with me screen by screen across three sessions, sat on the help desk calls alongside me when the systems wouldn’t cooperate, and stayed with it until we were active in SAM.gov and holding our approved service-disabled veteran-owned small business certification. He never once made me feel foolish for asking. And when the project closed, he didn’t just walk away. He wrote up our next steps and offered to meet again to walk us through them.
- Service Disabled Veteran Enterprise (SDVE) LLC
Working with Michael was an eye-opener for me as a business owner trying to break into government contracting. He delivered a thorough market analysis tailored to my niche, explained NAICS and PSC codes, and built a targeted pipeline of the right agencies and contacts. What I valued most was his transparency and his willingness to adapt his services to what my business actually needed. I now have a clear roadmap forward, and I’d recommend Michael to any owner serious about winning government contracts.
- Elite Tech Install
GPS delivered a federal market analysis on a single National Stock Number covering six years of award history, current unit pricing, named incumbents, and an eight-gate roadmap to approval. We rated it five out of five. After 27 years in filtration, it is the clearest view of the U.S. defense market we have had.
- International defense manufacturer
I judge everything on the math. GPS gave me six years of procurement data, real award pricing, and a cost and timeline range I could model against — and was straight with us about where a single line item does not stack up on its own. That is what you want from an advisor.
- International defense manufacturer
Founder, GovClose
I can say with confidence Michael Doughty, Maj (Ret), PMP, CSM is one of the most well-rounded operators I've seen come through the Gov Close Certification Program.
What makes Michael different is the combination he brings to the table.
As a retired United States Air Force Air Battle Manager and Cyberspace Warfare Operations Officer, he understands the operational side of the United States Department of War mission in a way that very few business development professionals ever will—he's lived it.
Layer on top of that his time at Leidos as a Solutions Lead, where he contributed to 100+ proposal submissions and over $151M in awarded TCV, and you have someone who already knows how a major prime structures a winning bid from the inside.
What the GovClose Certification added was the third leg of the stool: the buyer's perspective and a repeatable federal sales methodology.
Over the course of the program, Michael built out a data-driven Federal Sales Roadmap grounded in actual spending data, developed a niche strategy informed by competitive analysis, and mastered the pre-solicitation engagement approach that separates winners from the companies still chasing RFPs after they hit SAM.gov.
He also worked through our new proposal and compliance matrix curriculum—material that complements his Leidos experience well.
Just as importantly, Michael is now plugged into the GovClose community—a cross-functional network of government acquisitions professionals, prime contractor BD leaders, small business owners, CMMC experts, proposal writers, and federal sales pros. In a market as fragmented and relationship-driven as federal contracting, having a trusted community to pressure-test ideas and get real answers is a force multiplier in its own right.
That combination—operator, prime-side proposal pro, GovClose-certified federal sales strategist, and a connected member of one of the strongest networks in this space—makes Michael a genuine triple threat.
Any small business looking to enter the federal market, any prime looking for a BD or capture lead who can actually talk to a program office in their own language, or any company that needs a strategic advisor to build a defensible go-to-market plan would be lucky to have him.
I recommend Michael without reservation.
Founder, GovClose
I am honored to recommend John Palcisko, a distinguished graduate of the GovClose Certification Program. As the CEO of this intensive, hands-on program, I have the opportunity to work with professionals who are committed to developing the skills necessary to compete and succeed in the federal marketplace. John consistently demonstrated the professionalism, focus, and strategic thinking required to stand out in this environment.
Throughout the program, John developed a comprehensive understanding of the federal contracting landscape, including how to identify agency requirements, research government spending, uncover funding opportunities, and evaluate where an organization’s capabilities can provide meaningful value. He approached these areas with a thoughtful and analytical mindset, demonstrating that he understands the importance of building a strategy around the government’s needs rather than simply pursuing available solicitations.
John also showed strong capability in translating market intelligence into practical business development strategies. He learned to assess agencies, buying activities, competitors, procurement approaches, and potential contract opportunities to determine where resources should be concentrated. His ability to organize this information into clear, actionable plans was one of his strengths throughout the program.
Another area where John distinguished himself was in developing a disciplined approach to federal sales. He demonstrated an understanding of how to build and prioritize a qualified pipeline, evaluate opportunities based on strategic fit, and develop engagement strategies that support the progression of an opportunity from early market research through capture and pursuit.
John understands that success in government contracting requires persistence, preparation, and a long-term approach. He demonstrated the ability to work through complex information, recognize meaningful opportunities, and remain focused on execution. His willingness to learn and apply the GovClose methodology reflects the level of commitment necessary to succeed in the federal marketplace.
Beyond his technical understanding, John brings professionalism, accountability, and a results-oriented mindset to his work. These qualities, combined with his growing knowledge of federal acquisition and business development, position him well for opportunities in government contracting, public-sector sales, capture, and federal business development.
I am confident that John Palcisko will be a valuable asset to any organization seeking to establish or expand its presence in the federal marketplace. I am pleased to recommend him and look forward to seeing the results he achieves as he continues to apply what he has learned.
Should you require any additional information regarding John’s qualifications, please feel free to contact me.
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