The Summit Explorer

The government contracting (GovCon) industry is more uncertain than ever. Federal contract awards are stalling, procurement budgets are tightening, and competition is increasing across agencies. If your firm is struggling to keep a steady pipeline, now is the time to rethink your approach to business development (BD) and proposal management.

If you're in the U.S. and have a pulse, you’ve probably seen the headlines: 🚨 “DOGE Eliminates Billions in Government Waste!” 🚨 Sounds great, right? But let’s break down what’s really happening.

When businesses think about government contracts, their minds usually go straight to federal opportunities. But here’s the thing: state, local, and education (aka SLED) contracting is a trillion-dollar market with faster awards, fewer barriers to entry, and major opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

The state, local, and education (SLED) market is booming, and if you’re a government contractor looking to diversify beyond federal work, now is the time to expand. So where should you be looking? I’ve broken down the five hottest SLED markets across the country… covering every region so you can find the right fit for your business.

If your federal pipeline is shrinking, stalling, or straight-up vanishing, you’re not alone. If you’re only focused on federal work right now, you’re leaving money on the table. The best time to diversify your client portfolio was last year; the next best time is NOW.

The federal contracting landscape is changing and FAST. If you’re still using the same old generic, bloated messaging, you’re making it harder for decision-makers to see your value. The companies that win in this environment will be the ones that can clearly communicate why they are the right choice – and why cutting their contract shouldn’t be an option.

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In the most recently reported year, the US government spent more than $750 billion on contracts. These contracts cover the spectrum of things to buy, from highly specialized military planes all the way down to leadership development courses or cafeteria food.