S. NICHOLAS ALLEN
My History
I have been an executive in the outdoor industry for over thirty years, with a prior career as a US Marine Corps Infantry Officer. I founded Allen Consulting Services to help Outdoor Industry enterprises understand how to do business with the US government and military, and assist them with assessing opportunities. My experience includes:
- MILITARY
- Infantry combat leadership
- USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center Operations Officer and Director of Mountain Leadership School
- Co-author of USMC manual on Mountain and Cold Weather Operations
- Managed individual military clothing and equipment development and procurement for the US Marine Corps
- First military program manager to apply Outdoor Industry creativity and designs to improve personal military clothing and equipment (1980).
- Developed and fielded the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System and Combat Load Carrying Systems employing designs and materials originally developed for commercial applications.
- Consultant to US Dept. of Energy Transportation Safeguards Division on Weapons and Personal Equipment
- OUTDOOR INDUSTRY
- Managed the development and sales of commercial as well as military and law enforcement products at W. L. Gore & Associates and CamelBak Products.
- My Outdoor Industry career in Product Development and Sales included:
- Managing Worldwide Gore-Tex Glove Sales
- Sales and Design of the military Modular Sleeping Bag System
- USMC Combat Boot
- US Army Chem/Bio Resistant Hydration System
- USMC On-the-Move Hydration System
- Individual Water Purification Devices
- International Military Sales
Mission
To provide clients with actionable advice on how to successfully enter the government market for individual clothing and equipment
SERVICES
PRODUCT ASSESSMENTS
Everything starts with having a product or service that has value to a government agency or military service. My expertise is in clothing and personal equipment. I can help your company determine if your product is one that may be successful in competing with other products in its category.
UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT R & D
Within the government and military services there are departments that manage R & D of products to meet specific end use and operational requirements. Understanding how to work with these offices helps you identify opportunities that are the best fit for your capabilities and products.
UNDERSTANDING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
Working with government bureaucracy can be daunting, but selling products to the government can be very profitable. I can help you navigate the complex government procurement process.