How we navigate challenges in government contracting

Government contracting is complex. Between procurement regulations, security requirements, and stakeholder management, even simple projects can become challenging. Here's how we navigate these waters while staying true to our values.

Understanding the landscape

"Government contracting isn't like commercial work," explains Dan Levenson, President of Agile Six. "The procurement process is designed for fairness and accountability, which means more rules, more oversight, and longer timelines."

This reality shapes how we approach business development. We focus on building long-term relationships with agencies, demonstrating our capabilities through past performance, and positioning ourselves on contract vehicles that align with our strengths.

Balancing compliance and agility

Software Engineer Tanner Heffner works at the intersection of delivery and compliance. "There's a perception that government work can't be agile because of all the regulations. That's not true—you just have to be smart about how you work."

The key is understanding which constraints are real and which are assumed. Many "requirements" turn out to be habits or preferences that can be reconsidered. Where real constraints exist, we design our processes to accommodate them without sacrificing agility.

Building trust

"Trust is everything in this business," Dan says. "Agencies are taking a risk when they work with us. Our job is to deliver consistently, communicate transparently, and always act in their best interest—even when it's not in our short-term financial interest."

This long-term approach to relationships has served Agile Six well. Many of our engagements began as small pilots and grew into significant partnerships as we demonstrated value and built trust.

Advice for newcomers

For companies entering the government space, we offer this advice:

• Start small. Look for subcontracting opportunities or small contracts where you can build past performance.
• Invest in relationships. Government buyers prefer working with people they know and trust.
• Be patient. Government sales cycles are long, but relationships can last for years.
• Stay true to your values. Don't compromise on quality or culture just to win work.