Unisys launches initiative, unveils public-sector tech solutions

Unisys Corp. unveiled a new strategy, called Business Blueprinting, and four related public-sector technology solutions that the company said would help government agencies streamline business processes.

Satellite system to help Pakistani schools

WorldSpace Corp. has won a two-year, multimillion-dollar contract to provide educational materials via satellite to Pakistani schools.

GSA proposes putting fed contracts online

The General Services Administration today asked for public comments on a pilot project that will put federal contracts on the Web.

Plateau Systems' learning system selected for TSA job

Plateau Systems Ltd. will provide a system to help manage all online, classroom and on-the-job security training for more than 55,000 Transportation Security Administration employees.

E-gov project raises Deloitte's fed profile

Deloitte Consulting has operated quietly in the federal marketplace for three years, while amassing the bulk of its government work in the state and local arena. A high-profile e-government job with the Transportation Security Administration, however, could put a spotlight on its federal business.

Mind your mentors

Many agencies have mentor-protégé programs that pair a large business with a small business. The programs are designed to foster more than just a prime contractor-subcontractor relationship. The large business mentor helps its protégé with business development, training and learning the ropes of business in general and government contracting in particular.

Strategy 7: Sell yourself -- literally

Quality Research Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., was "too small to be big, and too big to be small" after graduation from the 8(a) program in 2001, said its former president, Gary Ryan.

Strategy 6: Partner with the big guys

Lou Ray, president and chief executive officer of MATCOM International Corp. in Alexandria, Va., said he's paying a lot more attention to partnering with large contractors than he used to.

Strategy 5: Learn from the best

Executives at NCI Information Systems started planning for the firm's 1999 graduation from the 9-year-long 8(a) program five years in advance, said Linda Allan, executive vice president of strategic programs for the McLean, Va., firm. Small firms compete for set-aside contracts through the 8(a) program, which is run by the Small Business Administration.

Strategy 4: Take advantage of small-business programs

Small businesses can apply for several programs meant to help them move from fledgling to fully competitive firm.

Strategy 3: Build a prototype

Big, name-brand companies are seen as more credible than small firms, so getting government customers to accept newfangled solutions from a small company can be hard, Ray Muslimani said. His firm, 4-year-old Global Computer Enterprises Inc., employs about 100 people.

Strategy 2: Focus, and be picky

A successful small business excels at a few things, said Valerie Perlowitz, president and chief executive officer of Reliable Integration Services Inc. in Dunn Loring, Va.

Strategy 1: Move to Washington

One of the first things Michael Barbee did after joining WAM!NET Government Services in 2001 was move the unit of Eagan, Minn.-based WAM!NET Inc. to Herndon, Va.

Strategies for success: How top small and mid-size companies survive in federal IT market

Michael Barbee believes his company is not quite ready for prime contracting in the federal information technology arena, so it works as a subcontractor about 80 percent of the time.

Report refutes arguments against public-private competition

A new report from the IBM Endowment for the Business of Government refutes six common arguments against putting government work up for competition with the private sector.

Dynamics Research to support Air Force HR work

Dynamics Research Corp. has won a five-year prime contract to support the Air Force Personnel Center Human Resources System Program Office at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Rule allows interest payments on cost-reimbursement deals

Federal agencies must pay an interest penalty to their contractors when they make late payments under cost-reimbursement contracts, according to a final rule published in the Federal Register.

WorldSpace creates government unit

WorldSpace Corp. has launched a government sales unit to take advantage of growing public-sector demand for satellite communications.

Karen Evans Q&A: 'Manage from a corporate perspective'

Karen Evans, a federal employee of more than 20 years, became chief information officer of the Energy Department in January 2002. In December 2002, she became vice chair of the federal Chief Information Officers Council. The council is the principal forum for agency CIOs to develop recommendations for federal information technology management policy, procedures and standards. As vice chairman, Evans has called for federal CIOs to continue developing a governance process for IT architecture and to develop standards for common transactions between government agencies.

Titan gets $69M geospatial info and services task order

Titan Corp. won a task order from the General Services Administration for geospatial information and services support for U.S. Air Force bases in the Pacific Air Forces.