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.

Know the problem, plan accordingly

ESCgov Inc. makes its debut on the Fast 50 list in the No. 1 spot, having recorded $46.5 million in revenue in 2007, for a five-year annual growth rate of 275.59 percent.

Relationships aid company's growth

Thomas Laskowski left the corporate world and founded Gantech Inc. in 1999 to provide information technology consulting and information technology security services.

Prove your worth as a partner

Partnership has been a central ethos for Ace Info Solutions Inc. since Jay Challa founded the business in his basement in 2001.

Earn a track record

Established in Atlanta in 1990 by four graduates of India's famed Indian Institute of Technology, Vector Consulting Inc. provides information technology workforce solutions and services. The company ranks No. 20 on the 2008 Fast 50 list, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 102.7 percent.

Domain expertise equals success

Sentek Consulting, an 8(a) small disadvantaged business and a California certified disabled veteran business, ranks No. 33 on the 2008 Fast 50, having racked up $4.12 million in government contracts in 2007. That's a 78.91 percent growth increase over five years.

Focus lays groundwork for success

S4 Inc. specializes in information domain-based solutions and services for Defense Department clients. The Burlington, Mass.-based company reported $16.7 million in government contracting revenue last year, up from $9.15 million in 2006.

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.

3e to develop surveillance system for Navy, TSA

3e Technologies International will provide surveillance and physical detection technology to the Navy and the Transportation Security Administration.

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.

The rise of the hybrid government contractor

The slowing of federal budget growth increases the competitive challenge for government contractors, especially for the companies that no longer qualify as small businesses. In this tough environment, a company's distinguishing characteristics become even more important.

Veteran subcommittee nominations sought

The Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Subcommittee would help GSA to meet its 3 percent contracting goal for small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans.

Letter to the editor | Small-business programs deserve protection

As a long time advocate for legitimate small businesses across the country, I have to disagree with Jerry Grossman's comments on federal small business contracting policy.

Letter to the editor | Yes to the 30 percent small biz goal

Readers Rafael Collado and Sascha Mornell comment on Jerry Grossman's recent Market Watch Column on small business.

New firm targets federal information assurance opportunities

Industry veterans Jim Gerretson and Tom Loveland have partnered to establish Gerretson LLC, which will provide information assurance services to the federal government.

Know your customer and your technology

The key to persuading customers to adopt a new technology is to provide features they will find irresistible.

Look inside for the best new hires

Small and midsize government services companies need to grow, be acquired or be gone. Building a business development organization is a significant challenge but a crucial component of success.