The Top 100 companies assert their presence

Throughout the year, we write stories about contracts, mergers and acquisitions, and other activities that get measured in the billions of dollars. Sometimes we toss the numbers around like we’re talking about nickels and dimes.

Then the Top 100 comes around, and the numbers leave little doubt that these companies are the dominant players in the government market. The top 23 had more than $1 billion each in prime contracts in fiscal 2008, and the total value of all the prime contracts for the Top 100 companies was $120 billion.

They adjust their strategies based on the market as a whole. Our profiles of the top 20 companies and the expanded information we’ve posted online provide valuable insight into today’s important issues, such as the stimulus package, procurement reform and emerging business opportunities.

Our Web site also has the results of a survey of Washington Technology readers. We asked respondents to tell us what worries them and how much or how little they think the market will grow. They compared the government market to the broader economy and told us where they think growth will originate in the year ahead.

And we asked Brad Antle, former chief executive officer of SI International, to tell us about how he built that company into a Top 100 regular before selling it to Serco Inc. in 2008. Look for the full interview on our Web site.

And, finally, there is the online version of the Top 100, where the stories and the rankings live on as a resource.

We look forward to your feedback and suggestions on how we can improve this barometer of the government market.