The Summit Explorer

Let’s be real: navigating federal contracting is about as straightforward as assembling Ikea furniture without instructions. And if you spend even a little time in this world, people start throwing out acronyms and terms that make a lot of sense to industry vets, but can feel hard to navigate when you’re new. At some point you might still have questions but feel like you’re too afraid to ask. Don’t worry, we’ll cover the basics so you can get some real answers. This guide will break it down: no fluff, just facts and definitions.

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.