Are We Back?
The Elon-Trump bromance is officially over (bye Felicia!) and the original DOGE staffers are returning to the private sector. I guess cutting contracts, gutting agencies, and fueling hatred of the government employee isn’t a long-term gig.
So now what GovCon?
Generally, folks are back in go mode. Not to say cuts are finished, but many have ebbed. The pace is picking back up. BD and capture professionals are looking at their pipelines, trying to determine what is still in play, what comes off the list, and what new pursuits need to be added.
Finance and pricing folks are trying to figure out what damage has been done to their forward pricing models and what wrap rates will be competitive yet sustainable.
CFOs are modeling out what the year is going to look like, knowing that awards are more competitive, have downward rate adjustments, and are going to take longer to ramp up. In general, the industry is looking at the next phase and trying to figure out where they fit. How they build back up or how they compete with the newcomers.
Leadership and HR professionals are picking up the pieces of employee morale. Everyone is trying to get it back together and shift towards the future while acknowledging the coworkers and customers they may have lost along the way. The job market is not great, especially in the DMV area, and folks know it.
But here’s the thing – and this is where I always tell my clients to pay attention – uncertainty creates opportunity. While everyone else is paralyzed trying to figure out “what’s next,” the smart money is moving.
What should you be doing right now?
First, stop waiting for perfect clarity. It’s not coming. The government contracting landscape has always been about adapting to change, and this is yet another cycle. The companies that thrive are the ones that make decisions with incomplete information and adjust as they go.
Second, get real about your positioning. If you’ve been coasting on incumbent status or legacy relationships, those days are numbered. This administration wants disruption, which means they’re open to new players. That’s both a threat and an opportunity, depending on how you play it.
Third, invest in your people NOW. I’m seeing too many companies treating this like a temporary blip, thinking they can just ride it out. Your competitors are using this time to
poach talent, strengthen their teams, and build for the (hopeful) recovery. Don’t get caught flat-footed when things accelerate again (hello?? What is happening in government 4Q25?? Anyone??).
The bottom line? The GovCon market isn’t dead – it’s evolving. Companies that acknowledge reality, adapt quickly, and invest strategically during uncertainty are going to own the next phase.
Everyone else can keep waiting for the “all clear” signal that’s never coming.
About BOOST’s CEO, Stephanie Alexander
Stephanie Alexander has spent more decades than she wants to admit supporting high growth government contractors with an eye towards their bottom line. She is the CEO and founder of BOOST LLC which supports back-office functions for government contractors. She is a co-founder and Partner at govmates, a free teaming platform and technology scouting tool to connect business across the federal landscape.
