Government contract competitor research doesn't require a $500-a-month bid matching platform — it requires the right SAM.gov setup and the right AI prompt. In this episode, Eric Coffey breaks down exactly how he conducts deep competitive intelligence on active solicitations, including a live walkthrough of a real $60M Army recompete he is currently pursuing for a client. If you are a contractor, consultant, or aspiring govcon entrepreneur trying to build a smarter capture process, this episode gives you the exact workflow to start using today.

What you will learn in this episode:

How to set up SAM.gov custom searches using PSC codes so you never miss a relevant opportunity — no GovTribe, GovWin, or BidSpeed subscription required
How to use AI (Google Gemini or any model) with a proven PWS prompt to extract the who, what, when, where, why, FTE count, security clearance requirements, and incumbent info in minutes instead of hours
How to identify and target SDVOSB set-aside recompetes where the incumbent has grown large, creating a strategic opening for certified small businesses
How to build a go/no-go brief your client will actually read by hyper-consolidating a 30-page performance work statement into one scannable summary
Why most competitors miss opportunities even on bids they intend to pursue — and the simple system Eric uses so nothing ever slips by

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Welcome to the Federal Help Center podcast

0:27 - Competitor intelligence strategy and episode overview

0:56 - SAM.gov custom search setup using PSC codes

1:56 - Identifying the Army MEOS recompete opportunity

2:55 - AI prompt method for performance work statement breakdown

4:52 - Old highlighter method vs. new AI-driven capture workflow

6:42 - Reading the AI output and key contract intel summary

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Government Contract Competitor Intelligence Using SAM.gov Free Tools