VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
  Strategic Outreach and Communications 

Seeing and Being Seen: Market Research in the AI Era

Virtual Training Webinar presented by: THINK Acquisition, LLC

Wednesday, August 12, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET

Virtual Event 

Free Event

Event Overview

In today’s government contracting environment, market research is no longer just a compliance step. It is a strategic opportunity for agencies to understand industry capability and for small businesses to become visible, relevant, and competitive. 

In this webinar, William Randolph, CEO of THINK Acquisition, LLC and former Senior Procurement Executive, will examine how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way government and industry conduct market research, respond to early acquisition signals, and prepare for meaningful engagement.

This session will explore how AI tools can support the full market research lifecycle, including:

    Identifying buying trends 
    Analyzing agency needs
    Reviewing procurement forecasts 
    Monitoring sources sought notices 
    Interpreting requests for information and 
    Preparing for industry days

Attendees will learn how AI can help organize large volumes of information, identify patterns in agency requirements, assess competitor positioning, and strengthen responses to government inquiries.

The webinar will also focus on the “being seen” side of market research. For small businesses, visibility matters. Government buyers, program offices, and prime contractors often form early impressions based on outward-facing artifacts such as capability statements, company websites, capability briefings, SAM.gov profiles, SBA Small Business Search profiles, and past performance summaries. 

This superiorly proficient guest panelist will discuss how AI can be used to review, refine, and strengthen these materials so they clearly communicate value, differentiation, relevant experience, socioeconomic status, and mission fit.

Why Attend?

Participants will gain practical insight into how to use AI responsibly and effectively while avoiding generic, unfocused, or overstated messaging. The session will emphasize the importance of aligning business development materials with actual agency missions, procurement language, NAICS codes, contract vehicles, and customer pain points. Participants will better understand how to use AI as a market intelligence assistant, a preparation tool, and a visibility enhancer in the federal contracting marketplace.

Who Should Attend?

We welcome participation from:

    Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB)
    Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB)
  All other small business socioeconomic classifications are encouraged to attend.

About Think Acquisition, LLC

Think Acquisition, LLC is an independent consulting, training, and development firm founded on the principle that government agencies’ acquisition success is directly correlated to the growth and development of their teams.    

The participation of any commercial entities in VA outreach and training programs does not convey or imply that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs directly or indirectly endorses any product or service provided, or to be provided, by the commercial entity, its successors, assignees, or licensees. Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs does not warrant any services that may be provided by the commercial organizations listed. 

  Click Here To Register  

For more information, please contact the Direct Access Program Planning Support Team 
Email: directaccess@va.gov 
Phone: (202) 461 4694