John A. Kun

The NPP outdoored its 2024 manifesto last week. In this blog, outlined some key policies from the 260-page policy document you should know as a voter. Take a read 👇 https://lnkd.in/dqcNMfF2 #NPPManifesto #AEPManifestoWatch #VotersCompass #GhanaElections2024

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#RFP Alert: An organization is soliciting proposals from evaluation teams to evaluate the effectiveness and results of the capacity building efforts. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d3fTK65x Lisa Kerber, Trina Willard, Brad Krueger - Would you or someone you know be interested in this RFP? #Capacitybuilding #nonprofitevaluation #nonprofitconsultant #nonprofitconsultants #nonprofitconsulting

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ARPA Funding Deadline is Approaching! ⏰ By December 31, 2024, local governments must obligate their ARPA funds or risk returning designated funds to the Treasury. With funds still not used in many communities, now is the time to act. Key Steps: -Develop an obligation and reporting plan -Understand obligations require contracts, not just budgeting -Include SLFRF dollars in fiscal planning -Designate a key point of contact for communication Learn how communities like Beech Grove, IN, and Cumberland County, IL, have used ARPA funds to benefit their communities. Need help navigating the process? Avenu is here to guide you and maximize your funding impact. #ARPA #GovTech #CommunityImpact

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Happening today at 2 PM ET / 11 AM PT — Leveling Up Your State Public Affairs Program: Benchmarking & Strategies Looking to strengthen your state public affairs efforts? This session will provide actionable insights to help you: - Make a more significant impact on the policy landscape - Measure your program’s effectiveness with precision - Learn from top teams and their proven success strategies We’ll explore the five tiers of public affairs maturity and offer practical steps to elevate your program to the next level. 📈 🎟 We've saved you a seat: https://bit.ly/3Xcl7mo

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Join Strategic Development Group VP Matthew Szuhaj at the International Economic Development Council State of Site Selection Panel! On September 28, the IEDC conference will host a dynamic panel discussion on the State of Site Selection—a can't-miss session for professionals navigating the complexities of economic development. Robyn Domber will moderate the session, which will include insights from industry leaders Seth Martindale, Kim Moore, and our very own Matthew Szuhaj. What’s in Store? Deep Dives into Key Trends: From the evolving challenges of real estate, infrastructure capacity, workforce dynamics, and the rising importance of placemaking. Interactive Pre-Session Polls: Help steer the conversation by participating in polls on Whova! What's impacting your area's competitiveness the most? Engaging Discussions: Understand how geopolitical and natural risks shape site selection and discover the future of AI in the industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry leaders and network with peers to enhance your economic development efforts. #IEDCDENVER #SITESELECTION #ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT

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With the 10th iteration of the #USAIDCLACaseComp coming soon, we are reflecting on the evolution of CLA over the years. In this 2016 blog, a Foreign Service Officer shares how applying #CLA changed the way she thought about development, and helped her to work smarter 🤔 https://bit.ly/3W6IJJh Taylor J. Adams, MPP writes: “A large takeaway from the [CLA] training was that CLA champions can exist at any level; [...] if CLA champions want to integrate principles and practices into their work, they should start by looking at what they are already doing. For example, portfolio reviews are required pause and reflect moments, but how can we do them better? How are we applying the learning that comes from them, and what kind of change does this produce?” Read the full blog on #USAIDLearningLab and let us know what you think in the comments below!

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How can we protect elections and democracy in a critical political year? The Bulletin's September magazine, published today, strives to help citizens and public officials alike reduce threats to democracy and preserve representative governance. Read the introduction by John Mecklin and Dan Drollette Jr: https://lnkd.in/eKVjwVS9

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SPECIAL BRIEFING ANNOUNCEMENT! SAM.gov: Responding to 400% Increase in RFIs & Sources Sought Join us at 1 PM ET on November 21st for this special briefing on recent federal spending news! Since 11/6/24 (Election Day), over 3,700 RFI (Request for Information) Sources Sought have been posted on SAM.gov representing a 423% increase over last year's postings during the same time period on SAM.gov. This means unprecedented opportunities for Small Businesses for direct contracts, teaming and sub-to-prime. By proactively actively leveraging SAM.gov notices and accompanying information, your business can engage federal buyers early, before they decide their acquisition strategy. In addition, by knowing before the RFP, you can secure subcontracting or teaming opportunities, and gain a competitive edge in the federal marketplace. This briefing will review the fundamentals of your RFI/Sources Sought response: 1) How to search SAM.gov and not miss notices 2) Understanding what they need from you 3) Proving Yourself to Buyers Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn about what's currently happening in the federal spending sphere—sign up now! https://zurl.co/kZuA #Govbrief #GovernmentContracting #GovernmentContracts #GovernmentOpportunities #ContractingTips #FederalProcurement #FederalContracting #FederalContracts #FederalContractors #Federal #BusinessOpportunities #smallbusiness #govcon #b2g #briefing #webinar #webinars #training #tutorial #specialannouncement #specialbriefing #breakingnews #federalnews #samgov #opportunity #opportunities

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A simple idea for improving access to public procurement with excellent results!🤩 At last week’s TechSprint by the Inter-American Development Bank, AIR - Alliance for Innovative Regulation, and the U.S. Department of State, we were able to catch up with B2Gov, an Argentine company founded by Paola Diegues and Marcelo Blanco who have been opening up public procurement opportunities for businesses in Latin America since 2020.  One of B2Gov's core services is targeted market research 📊 which helps companies identify suitable buyers and their requirements, as well as analyze competitors' activities. As Paola puts it: “The studies are automated, based on the data, and allow us to see the dynamics of the market over time.” Public procurement data is collected and structured in the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) to maximize interoperability. Learn more about B2Gov in our new story:

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In our latest report, we reveal the pressing issues that are shaping local government agendas leading up to the 2024 election. 🔀 Discover how local and national policy trends intersect 🔎 Gain regional insights from the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West 📍 Learn about the top policy issues dominating local government discussions Download your copy for insights. https://fnlink.co/4d0GxIO #election #election2024 #government

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"Although Congress and federal agencies over the last decade have taken measures in response to Government Accountability Office (GAO) report recommendations to save the government billions of dollars, more actions are still needed to improve program effectiveness, according to a recent GAO annual report that specifically identified inefficiencies in federal programs, systems and services in 42 new topic areas." Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gksmAsfi #GAO #grants #funding #overlap #federalagencies

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Great to see continued bipartisan Congressional support for DFC and its IAM, as evidenced in the recently released FY25 Senate State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) report (link provided in comments below): “Accountability.—The Committee recommends funds to support no less than three full-time equivalent staff for DFC’s Office of Accountability [OA], which is responsible for managing the agency’s independent accountability mechanism. The Committee notes the requirement in section 1415(b)(1) of the BUILD Act for an annual report to Congress on DFC clients’ compliance with environmental, social, labor, human rights, and transparency standards, and the Committee expects such report to be submitted not later than 60 days following the end of each fiscal year. Such report shall detail: (1) the number of eligible complaints received in the prior fiscal year and the status of each such complaint; (2) how the OA is ensuring project-affected communities and stakeholders are adequately informed of the OA’s existence, services, and methods of contact; (3) resources made available to support the OA’s staff and operations; and (4) any challenges to, and plans to ensure, the OA’s independence and effectiveness, including with regard to staffing, budgetary needs, procurement processes and mechanisms, and direct reporting to DFC’s Board of Directors.” DFC’s IAM is a member of the Independent Accountability Mechanisms network (IAMnet). This is a partnership of 23 mechanisms linked to bilateral and multilateral development finance institions operating around the world.

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DC Department of Small & Local Business Development (DSLBD) DC Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) ☺️ For government agencies, a style guide is essential to ensure consistent, clear, and accessible communication with the public. It standardizes visual and editorial elements such as logos, color schemes, typography, tone, and language, allowing government materials to present a unified identity across platforms. This consistency builds public trust, as citizens are more likely to recognize and rely on familiar, cohesive communication. A style guide streamlines the creative process for government teams, providing clear guidelines that reduce confusion and speed up production. It also enhances cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring all agencies align on visual and verbal standards, preventing fragmented messaging. Importantly, style guides in government settings include accessibility and inclusivity standards, like font sizes, color contrast, and language sensitivity, making information accessible to all citizens, including those with disabilities. Government agencies will be able to incorporate modern design trends carefully, updating visuals while maintaining trust. This approach helps agencies stay current and effectively engage the public, fostering a clear, professional, and approachable government identity. #GovernmentCommunication #StyleGuide #PublicTrust #ConsistencyMatters #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #GovernmentBranding #ClearCommunication

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