Small business delivers in a big way

I've said it before and I'll say it again, our annual small-business special report is one of my favorite issues.In this issue, we celebrate the success small businesses have achieved in the government marketplace. With the growth rates of some of the companies on the Fast 50, it is likely few will remain in the small-business category for long.Associate Editor David Hubler tells some of their stories and shares lessons on how these companies have managed to achieve such stellar growth.But all is not well in the small-business arena. One festering controversy is the 8(a) small businesses owned by American Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. These aren't your average small businesses. Some are huge, as you can see on the Top 25 8(a) list, which the tribally owned and ANC-owned companies now dominate. They hold 15 of the 25 spots. Some of the advantages they hold over other 8(a)s and small businesses are expanding, and some people aren't happy about it.Associate Editor Michael Hardy looks at mentor-protégé programs and how to make the most of these relationships between large and small companies. Surprisingly, the answer isn't to just win more contracts.Our online small-business package includes dynamic lists of our Fast 50 and Top 25 8(a) lists that let readers drill deeper into each company. We'll also host an e-seminar Sept. 24 with the Small Business Administration. Look for more details at http://www.washingtontechnology.com.