July 10, 2025

Diversify with Intention: What the 2026 Budget Means for Services Contractors

If your company provides IT, engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, staffing, acquisition support, professional training, research, health informatics, or administrative services, the 2026 federal budget is more than just a financial roadmap; it’s a strategic signal. While the Baroni Center’s 2025 Trends and Performance Index shows that firms with a high concentration of revenue from one or two customers often report higher […]

Blogs 4 min read
July 10, 2025

Fewer Proposals, Bigger Wins: What High-Concentration Contractors Are Doing Right

The 2025 Baroni Center Government Contracting Trends and Performance Index revealed a counterintuitive trend that deserves attention from business development and proposal teams across the federal market.Companies with high customer concentration (i.e., those who earn the bulk of their revenue from a few clients) are submitting fewer proposals, have fewer in-process bids, and yet they’re outperforming their peers in new […]

Blogs 2 min read
February 9, 2025

Years 8 & 9 in the 8(a) Program – The Final Countdown to Open Competition

The final two years of the 8(a) Business Development Program are a pivotal moment for your business. By now, you should have built strong agency relationships, secured multiple contracts, and refined your business development strategies. However, the biggest challenge is yet to come—competing in the full-and-open market once your 8(a) status expires. Many companies make the mistake of focusing only on winning last-minute 8(a) […]

Blogs 3 min read
February 8, 2025

Years 5-7 in the 8(a) Program – Scaling for the Big Leagues

By Years 5-7 in the 8(a) Business Development Program, your company should be operating at a more advanced level than when you first entered. You have built relationships, gained past performance, and refined your internal processes. However, this phase is not about maintaining the status quo—it’s about preparing for sustained growth, prime contracting opportunities, and long-term competitiveness beyond the 8(a) program. The reality is […]

Blogs 4 min read
February 7, 2025

Years 3 & 4 in the 8(a) Program – Strengthening Your Position

You’re now entering Years 3 and 4 of the 8(a) Business Development Program, a critical phase where your company must shift from simply winning contracts to building sustainability and competitive strength. The momentum from your first two years should have given you experience in federal contracting, established relationships with agencies and primes, and begun generating revenue through set-aside opportunities. But […]

Blogs 4 min read
February 6, 2025

How to Achieve Success with your 8(a) Certification – A Strategic Guide to Federal Contracting Growth 

The U.S. federal government spends over $1.7 trillion annually on contracts, making it one of the most lucrative markets for businesses. The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program serves as a powerful vehicle for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses to enter and thrive in this competitive space. In FY2024, $40 billion in contracts were awarded to 8(a) firms, with $25 […]

Blogs 3 min read
February 5, 2025

Are You Ready for the 8(a) Program? Why Timing Matters

The SBA 8(a) Business Development Program offers small, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete for set-aside and sole-source contracts in the federal marketplace. However, many companies rush into the program without ensuring they are fully prepared—only to waste valuable time struggling to win contracts during their certification period. The Reality is 8(a) clock starts ticking the day […]

Blogs 3 min read
February 2, 2025

Understanding the GSA’s Suspension of New Acquisitions

The General Services Administration (GSA) has recently implemented a temporary suspension on new GSA-funded obligations, including contract awards, task and delivery orders, modifications, and options. This decision, reportedly made to give new leadership an opportunity to assess ongoing acquisitions, has introduced uncertainty into the federal procurement space. For government contractors—especially those relying on GSA Schedules, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, […]

Blogs 2 min read
January 8, 2025

Use of AI in proposals

Why Non-Compliant Proposals Are Costing Companies More Than Contracts Why Non-Compliant Proposals Are Costing Companies More Than Contracts In 2024, ProposalHelper conducted an informal survey of federal Contracting Officers, revealing a dramatic shift in the government proposal compliance landscape. Agencies are receiving 40% more proposals than in previous years, driven by the rise of AI tools for RFPs. While this surge highlights the growing role […]

Blogs 5 min read
December 23, 2024

Building a Competitive Edge with Past Performance

You’ve identified an opportunity to expand your company’s presence in the world of government contracting. You set your goals, you secure internal approvals, and you’re eager to start writing your proposal. Whether your company is a seasoned expert in the field, or you are branching out in adjacent areas, one power tool can help you stand out: Past Performance. When […]

Blogs 4 min read

Recent Posts