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Whole of Government Total Team Approach: The Consortium Advantage

The consortium model is transforming how small businesses compete for and win government contracts. Here's how the V+KDM Consortium creates competitive advantage.

KDM & Associates
January 24, 2026
9 min read
ConsortiumGovernment ContractingTeamingV+KDMStrategy

The federal government's "Whole of Government" approach to national challenges—from supply chain resilience to manufacturing reshoring—demands a corresponding "Total Team" response from industry. No single small business can address these complex requirements alone. That's where the consortium model comes in, and it's why the V+KDM Consortium is positioned to deliver results that individual companies cannot.


The Consortium Model


What Is a Consortium?

A consortium is a collaborative arrangement where multiple businesses combine their capabilities to pursue and perform government contracts. Unlike a simple teaming arrangement, a consortium provides:

  • Shared infrastructure — Common platforms, processes, and resources
  • Coordinated strategy — Aligned approach to market opportunities
  • Combined capabilities — Broader and deeper than any single member
  • Risk sharing — Distributed across multiple participants
  • Knowledge transfer — Learning and best practices shared across members

    • Why Consortia Win

    Government buyers increasingly prefer consortium approaches because they:

  • Deliver broader capabilities than individual small businesses
  • Provide built-in redundancy and risk mitigation
  • Offer scalability to handle varying workloads
  • Demonstrate collaboration and integration skills
  • Reduce procurement complexity through single points of contact

    • The V+KDM Consortium


    The Partnership

    The V+KDM Consortium combines:

  • KDM & Associates — Government contracting expertise, business development, procurement navigation
  • Strategic Value Plus (V+) — Manufacturing excellence, operational optimization, supply chain management

    • Combined Capabilities

    CapabilityKDMV+Combined

    |-----------|-----|-----|----------|

    Government contractingExpertSupportFull spectrumManufacturing consultingSupportExpertFull spectrumCMMC/cybersecurityExpertSupportFull spectrumSupply chain optimizationSupportExpertFull spectrumBusiness developmentExpertExpertAmplifiedWorkforce developmentSupportExpertFull spectrum

    The Consortium Platform

    The KDM Consortium Platform provides:

  • Member matching — Connecting complementary businesses
  • Opportunity tracking — Shared pipeline of contract opportunities
  • Capability aggregation — Combined capability statements
  • Performance tracking — Shared metrics and past performance
  • Resource sharing — Common tools, templates, and training

    • How the Consortium Creates Advantage


    For Small Manufacturers (SMEs)

  • Access to contracts you couldn't pursue alone
  • Mentorship from experienced government contractors
  • Shared compliance costs (CMMC, quality systems)
  • Combined past performance for proposal scoring
  • Business development support and market intelligence

    • For Government Buyers

  • One-stop shop for complex requirements
  • Pre-vetted suppliers with verified capabilities
  • Reduced procurement risk through consortium backing
  • Scalable capacity from multiple member companies
  • Small business goal achievement through consortium structure

    • For Prime Contractors

  • Qualified subcontractor pool ready to perform
  • Small business subcontracting plan support
  • Diverse supplier base for compliance
  • Surge capacity through consortium members
  • Innovation pipeline from small business members

    • The Whole of Government Alignment


    National Priorities the Consortium Addresses


    Manufacturing Reshoring

  • Consortium members provide domestic manufacturing capacity
  • Combined capabilities cover multiple manufacturing sectors
  • Shared investment in technology and equipment
  • Coordinated workforce development

    • Supply Chain Resilience

  • Diversified supply base across consortium members
  • Redundant capabilities for critical items
  • Domestic sourcing verification
  • Supply chain visibility and transparency

    • CMMC Compliance

  • Shared cybersecurity infrastructure
  • Group training and certification support
  • Common security policies and procedures
  • Reduced per-company compliance costs

    • Critical Minerals

  • Combined capabilities across the minerals supply chain
  • Shared investment in processing technology
  • Coordinated approach to government programs
  • Joint pursuit of DOE and DoD funding

    • Workforce Development

  • Shared training programs and curricula
  • Apprenticeship and internship coordination
  • Veterans transition support
  • Community college partnerships

    • Joining the Consortium


    For Manufacturers (SMEs)

    Benefits of membership:

  • Access to government contract opportunities
  • Business development support and mentorship
  • Shared compliance and certification costs
  • Networking with complementary businesses
  • Training and capacity building programs

    • Requirements:

  • Demonstrated manufacturing capability
  • Commitment to quality and compliance
  • Willingness to collaborate and share
  • Registration on SAM.gov (or willingness to register)
  • Alignment with consortium values and mission

    • For Government Buyers

    Benefits of engagement:

  • Access to pre-vetted small business suppliers
  • Simplified procurement through consortium structure
  • Confidence in supplier capabilities and compliance
  • Support for small business contracting goals
  • Single point of contact for complex requirements

    • The Future of Consortium Contracting


    Trends

  • Growing government preference for consortium and OTA (Other Transaction Authority) approaches
  • Increasing complexity of requirements favoring team approaches
  • Technology platforms enabling better consortium coordination
  • Cross-sector collaboration addressing multi-domain challenges
  • International partnerships extending consortium reach

    • The V+KDM Vision

    Building a national network of defense-ready manufacturers connected through a technology platform that:

  • Matches capabilities to opportunities in real time
  • Provides shared compliance and certification infrastructure
  • Enables rapid team formation for specific contracts
  • Tracks performance and builds collective past performance
  • Supports continuous improvement across the network

    • Conclusion


    The consortium model is the future of small business government contracting. By combining capabilities, sharing costs, and coordinating strategy, consortium members achieve what no individual small business can: the scale, depth, and resilience that government buyers demand. The V+KDM Consortium is building this future today.



    Ready to Take the Next Step?

    Whether you're a small manufacturer seeking defense contracts, a government buyer looking for qualified suppliers, or a business owner pursuing CMMC certification, KDM & Associates and the V+KDM Consortium are here to help.

    Join the KDM Consortium Platform today:

    Register as Supplier (SME)Register as Government Buyer

    Schedule a free introductory session to learn how we can accelerate your path to government contracting success.


    Whether you're a small manufacturer seeking defense contracts, a government buyer looking for qualified suppliers, or a business owner pursuing CMMC certification, KDM & Associates and the V+KDM Consortium are here to help.


    Join the KDM Consortium Platform today:


  • [Register as a Supplier (SME)](/register?type=sme) — Get matched with government contract opportunities, access capacity-building resources, and connect with prime contractors.
  • [Register as a Government Buyer](/register?type=buyer) — Discover qualified, defense-ready small businesses and streamline your procurement process.

    • *Schedule a free introductory session to learn how we can accelerate your path to government contracting success.*


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    Register as Supplier (SME)Register as Government Buyer