No, Holt International Systems LLC is a completely separate and unaffiliated entity. This is a common point of confusion, and we believe it is important to provide immediate clarification.

Holt International Systems LLC is a for-profit enterprise dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through government contracting, product supply, and community support. Our mission is to build and support businesses that create pathways to financial independence. Our target audience consists of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and procurement officers within government and commercial sectors.

In contrast, Holt International Children's Services is a non-profit, faith-based humanitarian organization focused on child welfare, family strengthening, and international adoption. Founded in 1956 and based in Eugene, Oregon, their mission is to ensure every child has a loving and secure home. Their audience includes adoptive families, donors, and social welfare professionals.

The similarity in names is coincidental.

Our core mission is to empower entrepreneurs through opportunity, knowledge, and community. We are fundamentally builders of enterprise. We believe in creating and supporting ventures that provide clear, sustainable pathways to financial independence for business owners and their teams. Every service we offer and every community we foster is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools, expertise, and support network they need to thrive in competitive markets.

Holt International Systems LLC operates through three specialized divisions, each designed to address a critical aspect of entrepreneurial success :

1. Holt Federal Group: This division is our government contracting consulting and training arm. We provide entrepreneurs and small businesses with the expert guidance and step-by-step education required to successfully navigate the complex federal marketplace and win government contracts.

2. Holt Quartermaster: This division serves as a trusted source for high-quality, sustainable, and compliant products for both government agencies and commercial partners. It acts as a vital link in the supply chain, connecting reliable producers with discerning buyers.

3. The Parakletos Network: This is our community-focused division. It is dedicated to fostering a resilient support system that provides invaluable resources, mentorship, and encouragement for entrepreneurs who are overcoming challenges and striving for growth.

Embarking on the journey of federal contracting can feel overwhelming, and that is a common sentiment among new entrants. The landscape is governed by strict rules and complex procurement processes that can be difficult to navigate alone.

The best place to start is by assessing your business's readiness and understanding the basic requirements. This includes:

Meeting Size Standards: The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets size standards, typically based on revenue or number of employees, that determine if your business qualifies as "small" for specific contracts.

Mandatory Registrations: You must register your business in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and obtain a Unique Entity ID (formerly a DUNS number).

Market Research: Identifying which government agencies buy your products or services and understanding your competition is crucial.

This is precisely where Holt Federal Group provides its core value. We act as your expert guide, providing the step-by-step education and strategic counsel needed to move from initial assessment to your first contract bid, simplifying what is otherwise a daunting process.

The Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR, is the principal set of rules governing the U.S. government's procurement process. Think of it as the comprehensive rulebook that both federal agencies and contractors must follow when buying and selling goods and services. It covers everything from how solicitations are drafted and how bids are evaluated to the ethical standards and contract management requirements that must be upheld.

For a small business, understanding and complying with the FAR is non-negotiable and absolutely critical for success. Non-compliance can lead to bid disqualification, contract disputes, or even debarment from future government work. The FAR is extensive and complex, which is why many businesses seek expert assistance. Our consulting services are built around a deep understanding of the FAR, ensuring that your proposals, accounting systems, and contract performance are fully compliant from day one.

Yes, registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is absolutely mandatory to do business with the federal government. SAM is the official government-wide database that agencies use to find contractors, post opportunities, and manage awards. There is no cost to register or maintain your entity's profile.

However, simply being registered is not enough. Your SAM profile is a critical marketing tool. Government agencies search this database to find small businesses for upcoming contracts, so it is vital that your profile is accurate, comprehensive, and optimized with descriptive keywords that contracting officers will use to find your capabilities.

Part of our service at Holt Federal Group involves guiding you through the SAM registration process. We ensure your profile is not just complete but also strategically crafted to maximize your visibility and appeal to government buyers, which is a crucial first step toward winning contracts.

Our approach is centered on empowerment and strategic partnership, not just outsourcing. We provide the "expert guidance and step-by-step education" to make your business a capable and competitive government contractor. While we do not typically write entire proposals from scratch, we are deeply involved in every critical stage of the process. Our services include:

Opportunity Identification: We help you navigate databases like SAM.gov, the Federal Procurement Data System, and agency-specific forecasts to find contract opportunities that are a perfect fit for your company's capabilities.

Proposal Strategy & Review: We work with you to develop a winning strategy. This includes a careful review of the Request for Proposal (RFP), paying close attention to critical sections like the Statement of Work (Section C), Instructions to Offerors (Section L), and Evaluation Criteria (Section M) to ensure your proposal is not only compliant but compelling.

Competitive Pricing Analysis: We guide you in conducting market research to price your goods and services competitively, helping you find the optimal price point that is profitable for you while being attractive to the government.

Compliance Assurance: We review your proposal documents to ensure they strictly follow all instructions and meet the complex requirements of the FAR, minimizing the risk of being disqualified for a technicality.

Our goal is to build your team's internal capabilities, enabling you to compete for contracts confidently and successfully for years to come.

Set-aside contracts are a powerful tool the federal government uses to ensure small businesses get a fair share of contract dollars. By law, federal agencies must aim to award at least 23% of their prime contracting budget to small businesses. To meet this goal, they "set aside" certain contracts exclusively for small business competition.

There are several categories of set-asides designed to support specific socio-economic groups, including :

8(a) Business Development program (for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses)

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program

HUBZone program (for businesses in historically underutilized business zones)

Qualifying for one or more of these programs can significantly increase your chances of winning federal contracts by reducing the number of competitors you bid against. Holt Federal Group can absolutely help with this. Our consultants will assess your business's eligibility for these valuable certifications and guide you through the often-complex application and certification process with the SBA, unlocking access to these exclusive opportunities.

In government contracting, the prime contractor is the company that wins the main contract directly from the government agency. They are fully responsible for managing the contract and ensuring all work is completed according to the terms.

A subcontractor is a company hired by the prime contractor to perform a specific portion of the work. Large government contracts often require prime contractors to create a "subcontracting plan," where they commit to awarding a percentage of the work to small businesses.

Holt Federal Group assists with both paths:

For Aspiring Prime Contractors: We provide the comprehensive consulting needed to build your capabilities, navigate the bidding process, and win contracts directly from the government. This is the ultimate goal for many businesses seeking to grow their federal portfolio.

For Subcontracting: For businesses new to the federal space, subcontracting can be an excellent entry strategy. It allows you to gain valuable experience and build relationships without taking on the full administrative burden of a prime contract. We help you identify and connect with prime contractors who are looking for reliable small business partners, utilizing resources like the GSA's subcontracting directory and the SBA's SubNet database.

Whether you aim to be a prime or a subcontractor, we tailor our strategy to fit your business's current capabilities and long-term goals.

Holt Quartermaster is a "trusted source for high-quality, sustainable, and compliant products" for government and commercial use. While our specific inventory is vast and tailored to client needs, our core categories are aligned with the common operational requirements of federal agencies. Drawing from established government supply programs, our offerings typically include :

Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO): Essential supplies for keeping facilities and equipment running.

Janitorial and Sanitation (JanSan): A full range of cleaning and sanitation products to maintain health and safety standards.

Office Supplies and Equipment: Products necessary for daily administrative functions.

Tools and Industrial Supplies: Equipment for various technical and trade applications.

We specialize in sourcing products that meet specific agency requirements, including those with sustainability or domestic manufacturing mandates.

Compliance is at the heart of our operations. We understand that government procurement is bound by strict regulations, and every product we supply is vetted to meet these standards. Our commitment to being a "compliant" supplier means :

Sourcing from Vetted Manufacturers: We partner with manufacturers who have a proven track record of quality and reliability.

Regulatory Adherence: We ensure products comply with relevant federal regulations, such as the Walsh-Healy Public Contracts Act for manufactured goods over a certain value, where applicable.

Quality Assurance: Our internal processes are designed to verify that product specifications match the requirements outlined in a solicitation.

AbilityOne Program Consideration: We are knowledgeable about mandatory source programs like AbilityOne, which provides products manufactured by people who are blind or have significant disabilities, and we ensure procurement priority rules are followed.

When you source through Holt Quartermaster, you can be confident that the products you receive are fully compliant with federal acquisition standards.

We have streamlined our purchasing process to align with standard government procurement methods, making it as simple as possible for contracting officers and purchase card holders. An agency can acquire products from us through several established channels:

Responding to Solicitations: We actively monitor SAM.gov and other platforms for opportunities. You can include us in your solicitation distribution for relevant requirements.

Government Purchase Card (GPC): We accept government purchase cards for micro-purchases and other authorized transactions, offering a fast and efficient procurement method.

Activity Address Code (AAC/DoDAAC): For agencies that use requisition-based ordering, such as the Department of Defense, we can process orders using your DoDAAC for direct billing, similar to the GSA Global Supply program.

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts: We can be included as a supplier on agency-specific or government-wide IDIQ contracts, providing a long-term vehicle for recurring needs.

Our team is experienced in government-to-government transactions and can work with your procurement office to determine the most efficient purchasing vehicle for your needs.

We are always looking to expand our network of partners who produce "high-quality, sustainable, and compliant products". Holt Quartermaster acts as a strategic channel partner, providing a bridge between excellent manufacturers and the complex, often hard-to-access government market.

The value we provide to our suppliers is our expertise in government sales. Navigating federal procurement requires specialized knowledge of regulations, bidding processes, and compliance standards. By partnering with us, you can access the lucrative government sector without needing to build an entire government contracting division in-house. We handle the complexities of the bidding and fulfillment process, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating exceptional products.

The process for becoming a partner typically involves:

Initial Contact: Reach out to our supply chain team with information about your company and product lines.

Product & Capability Review: We will assess your products for quality, compliance, and relevance to our government and commercial customers' needs.

Vetting Process: This may include a review of your manufacturing processes, supply chain stability, and any existing certifications.

Onboarding: Once approved, we will work with you to integrate your products into our supply system and begin identifying opportunities.

We view our suppliers as true partners in our mission to deliver excellence and value to our end customers.

The Parakletos Network is a membership-based community designed to support entrepreneurs on their path to success. The name "Parakletos" is a Greek word that can be translated as an advocate, comforter, or one who is called to stand alongside another. We use this term to signify our mission of professional advocacy and support. Our purpose is to create a resilient ecosystem that provides tangible "resources, mentorship, and encouragement for entrepreneurs overcoming challenges". It is more than a networking group; it is a collaborative environment where business leaders can share knowledge, navigate obstacles, and celebrate victories together.

The Parakletos Network is designed for the same dynamic individuals we serve across our other divisions: "entrepreneurs and small businesses ready to grow". Eligibility is primarily for active clients of Holt Federal Group and Holt Quartermaster, as the community is designed to complement the services we provide.

However, we also welcome applications from other dedicated entrepreneurs who are committed to collaborative growth and align with the community's ethos. The key criteria are a commitment to building a sustainable enterprise and a willingness to both receive support from and contribute to the network. We believe the strength of the community lies in the shared drive and diverse experiences of its members.

Membership in The Parakletos Network provides a blend of tangible and intangible benefits that are critical for entrepreneurial growth. While specific offerings may evolve, core benefits are structured around our mission to provide opportunity, knowledge, and community. Members can expect to receive:

Curated Resources: Access to an exclusive library of business development tools, including proposal templates, compliance checklists, financial modeling worksheets, and expert-led webinars on topics ranging from government contracting to supply chain management.

Expert Mentorship: Opportunities to connect one-on-one with seasoned entrepreneurs and subject matter experts from within the Holt ecosystem and our broader professional network. This provides invaluable, personalized guidance tailored to your specific business challenges.

Peer-to-Peer Support: Structured mastermind groups and an exclusive online forum where members can confidentially discuss challenges, share best practices, and hold each other accountable. This "encouragement" is a cornerstone of the network.

Exclusive Networking Events: Invitations to virtual and in-person events designed to foster meaningful connections, collaborations, and potential partnerships among members.

The best way to ensure your inquiry is routed to the correct team of experts is to use the central contact form on our website. When you fill out the form, please provide a brief description of your needs and indicate your primary area of interest from the options below. This will allow us to connect you with the specialist best suited to assist you.

Government Contracting (for Holt Federal Group)

Product Supply (for Holt Quartermaster)

Community Membership (for The Parakletos Network)

If you are unsure which division is the right fit, simply describe your business and your goals, and our team will direct your inquiry accordingly.

Our core business hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Our team operates remotely to best serve clients across the country. The most efficient way to reach us is through our online contact form, which is monitored continuously during business hours. We are committed to responding to all inquiries promptly, typically within one business day.

Yes, absolutely. We encourage you to schedule an initial consultation. Navigating the world of entrepreneurship and government contracting can be complex, and it is not always clear which path is the best fit for your specific goals. Our mission is to provide "expert guidance" from the very first interaction.

A complimentary consultation with one of our specialists will help us understand your business, your objectives, and your challenges. From there, we can provide a clear recommendation on which of our services—whether it's consulting with the Holt Federal Group, sourcing through Holt Quartermaster, or joining The Parakletos Network—will provide the most value and set you on the firmest path to success. Please use our "Schedule a Consultation" link to find a time that works for you.