Current Trends in Federal, State, and Local Solicitations

Chairman, Gov Contract Pros (GCP)
John formally served as the Associate Administrator for Government Contract and Business Development at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where he led federal small business set-aside programs, including 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB initiatives.

In this role, Shoraka worked closely with the White House and senior administration officials to shape federal procurement policies and advance small business participation across agencies. He played a key role in implementing the procurement provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act and the National Defense Authorization Acts, championing initiatives such as the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program and the establishment of sole source authority for WOSBs.

john.shoraka@govcontractpros.com

CEO, Gov Contract Pros (GCP)
Trevor leverages a unique blend of legal expertise, procurement experience, and military service to support clients navigating the Federal marketplace.

Prior to GCP, Trevor served in the Office of General Counsel at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and as a Contracting Officer in the U.S. Navy. In these roles, he advised on appropriations, procurement policy & source selection procedures, ethics, and personnel matters. He began his legal career as a tax associate at Goodwin, specializing in real estate and venture capital transactions.

His global perspective is shaped by military service in Japan, Italy, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and Washington, D.C., experiences that continue to inform his strategic approach to advising clients.

trevor.skelly@govcontractpros.com

CEO, NetQuarry, Inc. (Bidspeed)
Allen brings over 30 years of global industry experience in government and commercial contracting. A United States Air Force veteran, Shipes has a proven track record of leading business development efforts, securing billions in contract awards, and driving growth for companies across diverse industries.

Throughout his career, he has worked with Fortune 100 firms, launched and led successful businesses, and played a critical role in the development and execution of multi-million-dollar proposals worldwide.

As a key advocate for small businesses, Shipes has directly trained and mentored thousands of companies through the U.S. Small Business Administration's Empower to Grow program, contributing to over $20 billion in new contract awards.

allen.shipes@fedbidspeed.com