Small-business special report | Focus, partnership and know-how drive success

Skim the headlines of the Fast 50 portion of the 2008 Small-Business Special Report and you'll find insight into what it takes to succeed in the government market.

Diversity is a hallmark of 8(a)

A look at several of Washington Technology's Top 25 8(a) small businesses reveals the broad spectrum of services such companies provide the federal government.

It's not just for start-ups

Since its founding in 2004, the American Small Business Coalition has grown to a membership organization that includes contracting professionals and even some large organizations.

Knowledge is power for small businesses

Know your small-business regulations. That's one of the first pieces of advice agency small-business directors give to companies trying to get a foothold in the federal market.

Small business 101

Experts offer advice and tips on the latest trends impacting small businesses in the government market.

FDA might have sidestepped acquisition regs

The Food and Drug Administration might have bypassed federal acquisition regulations by awarding a sole-source contract to an Alaskan native firm that passed along the work to Qorvis Communications.

Multiple Award Schedules fall to new GSA division

The MAS Program Office will develop and put into practice acquisition policy and guidance regarding the agency's MAS contracts.

Political, regulatory winds batter M&A

Companies with outsourcing and program management capabilities continue to serve as attractive acquisition targets.

Business as usual isn't an option

The key to growing revenue is to focus on business development via three critical components: Planning, People and Process.

DHS IG to investigate award fees in 2009

DHS IG Richard Skinner said 78 new investigations will be conducted next year, and 75 audits will be carried over.

SBA wants to give women-owned businesses more preferences

The Small Business Administration has drafted a new plan that would grant set-aside and sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses in 31 industry sectors.

Treasury seeks broader acquisition powers

A bailout plan for the nation's financial institutions is likely to include a provision giving the Treasury secretary the power to waive acquisition regulations.

McCain would require fixed-price contracting

The Republican presidential nominee and senator said he would stop the government from entering into cost-plus contracts during last week's debate.

E-Government reauthorization bill held up

A controversial amendment has stalled the E-Government Reauthorization Act of 2007 intended, in part, to extend appropriations for programs through 2012.

Bailout may increase pressure on contractors

As the feds edge closer a $700 billion bailout of financial services companies suffering from bad mortgage loans, agency heads are likely to feel pressure to cut contractor spending.

Five ways the financial crisis makes things tougher for contractors

It's not a pretty picture when recession, and even an economic depression, are discussed in polite conversation.

Gathering more info on DHS' acquisition authority a must

GAO auditors found that 44 of the 53 agreements that involved the special authority used nontraditional contractors, and about half were small businesses.

Navy issues RFI for intelligence system

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command has issued a RFI to determine the technical capabilities and qualifications of companies to support the Navy's Distributed Common Ground System.

Report calls SBInet progress into question

Technology is being poorly managed, schedules have slipped and capabilities are not clear in DHS' SBInet border surveillance system, according to a GAO report.

Obama vows cuts to contractor spending

Presidential candidate Barack Obama told a Wisconsin audience today that he will cut federal spending on contractors.