Ep. 04 - The USDA Solar Sunset Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
For years, the playbook for rural investors was simple: lease land to solar farms and collect "mailbox money" subsidized by the government. But what happens when an executive order abruptly ends the era of easy money? The "Solar Sunset" is drying up incentives and leaving landowners wondering where to turn next. The "Pick Up" In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the quiet crisis brewing in rural America with two industry veterans: John Molinaro: Co-Founder of RES Associates...
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Ep. 03 - The FinCEN Freakout Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
March 1, 2026, is approaching fast, and for settlement agents, it brings a massive regulatory shift. The new FinCEN rule for residential real estate transfers demands collecting 111 data points on specific non-financed transactions. Many professionals worry this requirement will overwhelm their current workflows, disrupt closings, and force uncomfortable conversations with clients about their private data. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate the "FinCEN Freakout" with two industry veterans: Angela Saiz: SVP of Fiduciary Banking at...
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Ep. 02 - The GovCon Squeeze Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
Why are thousands of small government contractors suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the "Best Price, Best Quality" equation? For years, provisions like the "Rule of Two" and specific set-asides protected small disadvantaged businesses, ensuring they had a seat at the federal table. But a new Executive Order and sweeping updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) are stripping away these protections. With sole-source awards vanishing and major prime contractors now competing for smaller slices of the pie, small firms are facing a regulatory "sea change" that threatens...
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Ep. 01 - The Community Blacklist Call - Pick Up! Pick Up!
Pick Up! Pick Up!
Why are countless condo associations suddenly being "blacklisted" by insurance and mortgage lenders? For decades, many boards have voted to waive funding their reserves to keep monthly fees low, creating a "pay-it-later" culture. Now, a perfect storm of aging buildings, rising post-Surfside legislation, and sky-high insurance costs is creating a financial crisis. This "community blacklist" means residents can't sell or refinance, and board members are left wondering how to pay for millions in mandatory repairs. In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call"...
info_outlineWhy are thousands of small government contractors suddenly finding themselves on the wrong side of the "Best Price, Best Quality" equation?
For years, provisions like the "Rule of Two" and specific set-asides protected small disadvantaged businesses, ensuring they had a seat at the federal table. But a new Executive Order and sweeping updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) are stripping away these protections. With sole-source awards vanishing and major prime contractors now competing for smaller slices of the pie, small firms are facing a regulatory "sea change" that threatens their very survival.
In this episode of Pick Up! Pick Up!, Capital Bank CMO JJ Kaye "picks up the call" to navigate these turbulent waters with two industry veterans:
- Jill Cochones: GovCon Banking Specialist at Capital Bank
- Shirley Collier: President of Scale to Market
They unpack the reality of the "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement" order and what it actually means for your bottom line. From the rise of M&A exit strategies to the new necessity of "teaming up" to compete against the giants, they provide a survival guide for the shifting landscape of federal contracting.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- The "GovCon Squeeze" Call (The Client’s Problem)
- Meet the Experts: Jill Cochones (Capital Bank) & Shirley Collier (Scale to Market)
- FAR 101: How "Public Policy" was struck from the federal rulebook
- The New Rule of Two: Why 8(a) and socio-economic set-asides are no longer guaranteed
- Varsity vs. The Olympics: The new reality of small businesses competing against multi-billion dollar firms
- The Pivot Playbook: "Shrink-wrapping" products and the power of Teaming Agreements
- The M&A Option: When to buy, when to sell, and when to hold
- Action Steps: How to leverage innovation to win new contracts
Important Links & Resources Mentioned:
- Executive Order 14275: “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement” - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/18/2025-06839/restoring-common-sense-to-federal-procurement
- FAR Part 19 Changes: New rules restricting sole source awards - https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19
- FAR 19.104: The "Rule of Two" Changes - https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-19#FAR_19_104
- Title VIII of the 2026 NDAA: Senate Armed Forces Committee recommendations (See page 143) - https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text
- Justification and Approval Thresholds: Ceiling increased to $500m for non-compete direct awards - https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/2025/08/20/b5df7e81/afars-appendix-gg-delegations-of-authority-as-of-20-aug-2025.pdf
- Administrative Procedure Act: Understanding the public comment period - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_Procedure_Act
- Take Action: Many FAR changes are not yet codified in law. If you are not happy with changes made via Executive Order, reach out to your elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
About Pick Up! Pick Up!:
"Pick Up! Pick Up!" is a Capital Bank podcast where we tackle real business challenges. Each episode begins with a dramatized "client phone call" that outlines a pressing, timely problem. Moderated by Capital Bank's CMO, JJ Kaye, the show features a Capital Bank banker and a subject-matter expert who "pick up" the call to offer solutions.
New episodes drop twice-monthly. Subscribe for more insights that turn complex challenges into solvable speedbumps.
Connect with Capital Bank:
- Subscribe to this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@capitalbankn.a.9456
- Learn more about Capital Bank's GovCon Solutions: https://capitalbankmd.com/business/industry-solutions/government-contracting/
- Have a question for our experts? Leave it in the comments!
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in Pick Up! Pick Up! are those of the guest speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Capital Bank, N.A. The information shared is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, legal, or professional advice. Listeners should consult with their own qualified advisors before making decisions related to the topics discussed.