A case study in facilitated learning with Tica Learning Systems resources

The participants and purpose

Nine women business owners participated in a 12-session government contracting cohort organized by a local small business technical support provider and facilitated by Joanne Tica. Their businesses had been operating for between one and ten years.

The cohort ran from February 19 through October 1, 2026, using a hybrid format: 40% via Zoom and 60% in person. It helped owners understand government contracting preparation and apply that knowledge to their own companies.

The learning experience

Participants worked through capability statement development, SAM.gov registration, translating commercial experience into relevant government contracting experience, and pricing for subcontracting.

Three Tica Learning Systems resources supported the cohort:

• Before You Bid: The SAM.gov, SBS, and Capability Statement Foundations Workbook

• Federal Subcontracting Strategy Toolkit

• Translate Commercial Experience into Government Ready Proof

The resources provided a structure for examining participants’ capabilities, organizing information, and working through preparation tasks during the facilitated sessions. The cohort connected contracting concepts to the documents and decisions each owner needed to address for her business.

Participation and results

Attendance averaged 85% across the 12 sessions.

By the end of the cohort, seven of the nine participants had completed or revised their capability statements and were working on a response to a contract opportunity.

Through written feedback and surveys, all nine business owners reported gaining knowledge about the processes their companies needed to prepare for in order to compete for government contracts.

The documented outcomes are participation, completed capability statement work, progress toward opportunity responses, and self-reported knowledge gains. Bid submissions and contract awards were not measured as part of these results.

Continued engagement

Tica Learning Systems has been engaged to extend the training through a follow-on cohort focused on state, local, and educational institution contracting.

The next cohort will address these buyers’ purchasing processes and requirements, building on participants’ foundational preparation and experience applying the materials to their businesses.