8-koi Renews DoD SkillBridge Agreement to Support Transitioning Military Members

Posted by Tessa Friederichs on

Melbourne, Fla., July 11, 2025 — 8-koi is proud to announce the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Defense (DoD), continuing its participation as an approved partner in the SkillBridge Program — an initiative that provides separating military service members with valuable civilian work experience during their final months of active duty.

Through this renewed partnership, 8-koi will continue to provide immersive training and real-world career development opportunities in fields such as construction, finance and IT. Originally approved as a DoD SkillBridge partner on November 10, 2021, 8-koi’s collaboration with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) SkillBridge team at JBSA-Randolph AFB underscores its commitment to supporting the long-term success of our nation’s veterans.

“At 8-koi we see the DoD SkillBridge as a strategic tool to evaluate and onboard high-quality talent while offering veterans a real-world ‘test drive’ in civilian roles before they separate from the military,” said Dean Rosenquist, chief operating officer at 8-koi. “It has been incredibly beneficial to both our business and the service members transitioning into the workforce.”

To date, 8-koi has welcomed four SkillBridge participants representing the U.S. Navy, Air Force, Army and Space Force. Of those, three transitioned into civilian employment following the program, while one returned to military service to pursue further education and credentialing.

The training plan developed for SkillBridge participants is hands-on, structured and highly personalized. A 12-week construction-focused program, for example, offers service members exposure to general contracting skills, construction management and project estimation — culminating in a potential full-time job offer and a pathway to licensure.

“This partnership honors the incredible experience and discipline service members bring to the workforce,” said Inga Young, 8-koi founder and president. “We are proud to help guide them through the transition process and connect them with meaningful opportunities that align with their goals.”

8-koi continues to welcome applications from separating service members, especially those with experience or interest in IT, finance or construction who intend to grow their civilian careers in the Melbourne, Florida, area.

To learn more about 8-koi’s SkillBridge opportunities, visit 8-koi.com or email tfriederichs@8-koi.com.

8-koi Celebrates 15 Years!

Posted by 8koi_admin on

Fifteen years ago, University of Florida accounting graduate and show dog mom Inga Young founded 8-koi on August 8th in her hometown of Melbourne, Florida. Since then, the woman-owned small business has grown to support millions of dollars in government contracts and hired hundreds of employees around the US. As a first generation American, Inga credits her success to her parents, and practices everyday gratitude for the opportunity to learn from her coworkers and peers in the industry. Design, build, staff, and supply… 8-koi offers full-spectrum contracting solutions with a human touch. See more about the EDWOSB’s capabilities in design engineering, construction, and technical services.

8-koi Selected for Streamlined Technology Acquisitions Resources for Services III (STARS III) Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACS)

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8-koi is one of 426 small businesses awarded the General Services Administration Streamlined Technology Acquisition Resources for Services III (STARS III) Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs). The contract vehicle is an effort to provide agencies with more emerging technology options, completing the first phase of awards for the 8(a) STARS III GWAC, with a contract ceiling of $50 billion.

Continue reading “8-koi Selected for Streamlined Technology Acquisitions Resources for Services III (STARS III) Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACS)” →

8-koi Exhibits at Navy Contracting Summit June 24-25

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8-koi is a virtual exhibitor at the Southwest Defense Contracting Summit June 24-25, 2021. We are joining hundreds of prime contractors, subcontractors, military officials, contracting officials, financing experts, and defense agencies from throughout the country at this year’s Navy Contracting Summit with Defense Leadership Forums.

Sign-up for our quarterly newsletter before June 30th to be entered in a random drawing for a $100 cash card. Join at 8-koi.com.

We stand ready to partner in capturing a portion of the new Pentagon and Navy contracts resulting from the $740 Billion 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Our design engineering and construction capabilities include post-catastrophe response, BIM modeling, energy simulations, underground, infrastructure, safety planning, communications, and logistics.
Not limited to buildings and infrastructure, 8-koi contributes to developing public health resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic with healthcare-related capabilities to include direct care, medical supplies (PPE), logistics, training, administration, and contract support services.
Be sure to visit our virtual booth at the Summit and we look forward to connecting with you on LinkedIn!

8-koi Selected for Marine Corps Program Manager, Training Systems Contract

Posted by 8koi_admin on

8-koi received a Single Award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract to provide acquisition related contracting support services to the US Marine Corps Program Manager, Training Systems (PM TRASYS, PMM-130) in Orlando, FL.

PM TRASYS is responsible for the total life cycle support of USMC ground training systems. This service contract will provide contracting support services to assist PM TRASYS in providing highly immersive training environments that hone Marines cognitive decision making while rehearsing critical technical and tactical skills.

“We are thrilled to provide support to the Marine Corps with Senior Acquisition Specialists who are Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certified. Our contracting experts intend to jump right in and integrate seamlessly with the USMC team in Central Florida,” said 8-koi Chief Operating Officer Dean Rosenquist.

8-koi’s acquisition specialists will embed with the PM TRASYS office to support US Marine Corps training requirements that rely on a complex portfolio of training systems that support USMC ground synthetic and live training systems.

In the past, 8-koi has performed on similar contracts with the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) by providing Tactical Combat Casualty Care training programs, and has also provided administrative and acquisition related support services to help improve readiness with the US Navy Sea Warrior Program (PMW 240). See more about 8-koi Technical and Administrative capabilities.

8-koi Exhibits at Southwest Defense Contracting Summit April 6-7

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8-koi is a virtual exhibitor at the Southwest Defense Contracting Summit April 6-7, 2021. We are joining hundreds of prime contractors, subcontractors, military officials, contracting officials, financing experts, and defense agencies from throughout the country at this year’s Southwest Defense Contracting Summit with Defense Leadership Forums.

All new followers between March 30th and April 16th will be entered in a random drawing for a $100 cash card. Follow 8-koi on LinkedIn!

Because so many installations were affected by extreme weather events earlier this year, a major general session on energy resiliency will be included in this year’s summit program. Our design engineering and construction capabilities include post-catastrophe response, BIM modeling, energy simulations, underground, infrastructure, safety planning, communications, and logistics.
Not limited to buildings and infrastructure, 8-koi contributes to developing public health resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic with healthcare-related capabilities to include direct care, medical supplies (PPE), logistics, training, administration, and contract support services.
Be sure to visit our virtual booth at the Summit and we look forward to connecting with you on LinkedIn!