A Look into the Top 50 Fastest Growing Federal Contractors of 2012

The success of the top 50 fastest growing Federal contractors of 2012 reveals small businesses can not only compete, but also dominate a tough market. Every year Washington Technology ranks contractors by their growth, which reminds us, that success “in this market, it is also about resiliency and diversity.”

According to Washington Technology in order to be considered, “companies submit five years of government contracting revenue, which is used to determine a five-year compound annual growth rate. The companies are then ranked by that rate, not by overall revenue.” Additionally, “companies must be a small business according to one of the myriad small-business categories the government uses.” [1]

Therefore, it is no surprise most of the businesses listed fall under a socioeconomic indicator. Washington Technology recognized the commonality by stating, “Many of the companies on the list are taking advantage of programs for small disadvantaged businesses, for companies in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) and for companies owned by service-disabled veterans.” Furthermore, John Metzger, the President of Universal Understanding (ranked No. 1), remarked “Socioeconomic indicators are very important in the federal market and are becoming more important in mainstream companies.” As one can see, “many of the companies on this year’s list are either 8(a) or veteran-owned.” [2]

Despite the fact that the contractors do not focus on one industry, but rather on a “diversity of market segments” according to Washington Technology, “they [all] share a belief in customer service, employee satisfaction and agility in tackling new opportunities.” Although large businesses may also endorse similar values, it is easier for small businesses due to their smaller numbers, to champion them. Another benefit of being a small business, Karen Trowbridge, President and Founder of Trowbridge and Trowbridge remarked, is that they “can quickly respond to customer needs.” This is easily proven by the years of return business these small, competitive companies have experienced.

Furthermore, the top 50 contractors can bear witness that the secret to success is growth. It is evident, according to Washington Technology that the “relentless search for growth is what drives [these] companies.” A strong supporter of this belief is Karen Trowbridge, whose company ranked in at No. 46. Karen has argued “If you aren’t growing, you are dying.” Thus, successful contractors know all too well that one must grow within, in order to excel in this competitive market.

Washington Technology ranked the following companies by revenue growth for 2012:

[1]Wakeman, Nicole. Washington Technology: What the Fast 50 teaches about growth in a tough market. August 22, 2012 (http://washingtontechnology.com).

[2] Wakeman, Nicole. Washington Technology: What the Fast 50 teaches about growth in a tough market. August 22, 2012 (http://washingtontechnology.com).