Bridging the Gap: Carol Sefret on Federal Acquisition and Vendor Relations

In this episode of Former Fed Friday, host Shelley McGuire chats with Carol Sefret, a newly retired federal leader who spent 37 years at CMS, going all the way back to when it was HCFA. Carol reflects offers honest, practical advice for vendors hoping to work with the government. She explains why showing up unprepared is a nonstarter, what agencies are really looking for during meetings, and how vendors can stand out in today’s challenging environment. 

She talks candidly about the realities of the acquisition process — why there's no magic wand to make things move faster, and how much of the change has to start internally within agencies themselves. Carol shares how grace, preparation, and persistence can go a long way in bridging the gap between government and industry.

To connect with Carol visit her on LinkedIn here.

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