Interactive Government Holdings, Inc.

04/08/2026

I started Interactive Government Holdings after the Marine Corps with a simple mission: to serve those who serve and build meaningful careers for veterans in the federal space. What I didn’t have was a playbook for surviving the setbacks.

On “Leading with Purpose in Business and Beyond,” I sat down with Kaleem Clarkson to talk about the unfiltered parts of that journey—nearly walking away, rebuilding after losses, and learning to lead a growing team with clarity and purpose. We also unpack how purpose shapes our decisions today: which contracts we pursue, how we invest in people, and why mission alignment matters as much as margin.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying a business on your back, this conversation is for you.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rSV4BS16NQ
If it sparks ideas or you want to explore partnering in the federal space, reach out, and let’s set up a call.

How do you build a company rooted in service, purpose, and impact?In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Michae...

03/12/2026

All over the world, employees at Interactive Government Holdings, Inc. are sleeping a little easier knowing our executive team and lawyers have finally published our fun-to-read employee handbook. Once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down...because "putting it down or exiting out of" is against the rules until it is completely remanded to memory and acknowledged in the portal.

The last part is a joke.

02/10/2026

The recent SBA 8(a) suspensions are a wake‑up call for our small business federal contracting community. More than 1,000 firms were initially suspended for failing to meet the January 19 documentation deadline, representing billions in principal obligations across FY22–26. While some have since been reinstated, hundreds remain in limbo. For many agencies and industries, the ripple effects are very real.

If you’re suspended, this is a hard hit—but it’s also a chance to tighten compliance, clean up your financial house, and strengthen customer relationships so you’re ready to move fast when you’re restored. For firms still in the 8(a) program, this moment reinforces an uncomfortable truth: you cannot build a resilient company on sole‑source awards alone. The 8(a) rules that push us toward competitive and non‑8(a) work exist for a reason, and this situation proves why diversification matters.

An additional threat is that recent rule changes allow agencies to change to any other socio-economic designation without justification. (One of our customers changed our contract from 8a to SDVOSB at the turn of our option year and didn't even tell us they were doing so, which means if your firm is currently suspended, your CO/COR can simply change the designation and doesn't have to wait around for you to get your data together.)

My encouragement to 8(a) owners and leaders: treat your 8(a) status as a tool, not a crutch. Invest in winning competitive work, pursue opportunities outside the program, and build a portfolio that can survive policy shifts and increased scrutiny.

The companies that will thrive in this environment are the ones that stay disciplined on compliance, transparent with their data, and intentional about long‑term growth.

hashtag

01/23/2026

Too many conversations about government technology focus on the newest tools instead of the outcomes that actually matter. This article on Michael Valdez Sanders, Founder and CEO of Interactive Government Holdings, flips that script.

It highlights how his team helped a federal agency move billions of legacy records, cut an 18‑month backlog down to days, and do it by refining what was already in place rather than “popping” new tools into sensitive environments. It also dives into the leadership side of adoption, handling difficult stakeholders, and building a resilient business when contracts are canceled and priorities change.

For anyone in government service, contracting, or IT, this is a powerful look at what mission‑driven leadership really looks like today.

Read it here: https://www.wolfandgrayson.com/leadership/michael-valdez-sanders-align-mission-driven-leadership-with-govtech-innovation/

“Mission-driven leadership in GovTech is about finding the available tools that are ready to use and, in the agency, already exist and then helping them refine the tools they have to get the best or higher productivity out of what they’re already using,” said Michael Valdez Sanders, Founder an...

12/05/2025

Veteran business owners: are you ready to take your company to the next level in the federal market? VIP ADVANCE is a 3‑day, in‑residence training program for Veteran‑owned small business owners and executives, focused on growth, strategy, and long-term success in federal procurement.​ The Veteran Institute for Procurement

The next VIP ADVANCE class is February 10–12 at the Bolger Center in Potomac, MD, with 15 seats available for motivated Veteran entrepreneurs. The program is offered at no cost to qualifying Veteran‑owned businesses, but space is limited and reviewed on a first‑come, first‑served basis.​

APPLY TODAY:

VIP ADVANCE: Entrepreneurial program for Veteran-owned businesses to scale in the federal marketplace. Apply now.

10/19/2025

Great news for small contractors: Lawmakers are pushing to embed the ‘Rule of Two’ in federal procurement rules, guaranteeing more set-asides when two qualified small businesses apply. Make your voice heard! 🤝🇺🇸

10/06/2025

Big news for federal contractors! The FAR Council and SBA have released Phase 1 of the FAR overhaul, which aims to cut red tape and boost small business participation. Time to review and adapt your acquisition processes.

10/01/2025

Surviving Government Shutdowns: A Lesson in Resilience

Over the past two decades, our nation has faced several government shutdowns—from the 16-day shutdown in 2013 to the historic 35-day shutdown spanning late 2018 into early 2019. Each of these periods brought uncertainty, halted federal contracts, delayed critical financing, and challenged businesses reliant on government operations.

As business owners, many of us have felt the ripple effects—paused projects, tightened budgets, and tough decisions to keep our teams afloat. Yet, time and again, we’ve adapted, persevered, and emerged stronger.

To every entrepreneur navigating these challenging moments: Remember the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

Stay resilient. Keep innovating. The shutdowns don’t define our future—our response does.

06/25/2025

Hafa Adai! A quick 30-hour trip, and I am on the ground back in Guam meeting employees, customers, and partners. I’m excited to learn a new part of the business, expanding our capabilities in order to accelerate growth.

ILM->EWR->NRT->GU

06/08/2025

⚡️ Small businesses are facing a government contracting earthquake! Michael V Sanders, founder of Interactive Government Holdings, breaks down how a single DoD memo is forcing a “thinning of the herd”—and why only the most agile and innovative will survive. Hear real stories of companies plummeting from $20M to $5M overnight, and discover the hidden tax incentives and pivots that could save your business. Don’t miss this urgent discussion—tag a business owner who needs to see this!

Small businesses win large contracts. Learn how! 👉 https://federalhelpcenter.comThe Department of Defense just dropped a memo that could devastate small gov...

05/15/2025

Michael Sanders, founder and CEO, recently joined Teresa Moon on Spilling the Tea, A Small Business Government Contracting Podcast, for a discussion on the federal market disruption and its effects on government employees and contractors.