WashingtonExec 2013 Government Contracting Outlook Series:
The new year brings big changes for the Federal IT industry, and WashingtonExec is back with its Government Contracting Industry Outlook Series.
We are giving local executives the opportunity to share their thoughts on where they see our industry headed this year and beyond. Leaders were asked a series of questions focused on cloud computing, healthcare IT, defense, mobility, and more.
Lisa Dezzutti, President and CEO of Market Connections, Inc., spoke with us about her predictions for 2013.
WashingtonExec: What will next year hold for Government Contracting?
Lisa Dezzutti: The past year was a struggle for many in the government contracting community. Unfortunately, it will continue to be difficult through the first half of 2013. Though, as we settle into the ‘new normal,’ there will be stronger revenue growth in the second half of the year when we have a greater understanding of the impact of the budget cuts.
Now more than ever, contractors need to understand client needs and solution requirements quickly, not through trial and error, so that they can meet those needs in a way that differentiates them from the competition and delivers value to both the customer and the bottom line.
In addition, contractors who prepared for the budget cuts by building out capabilities in emerging areas, and sought opportunities in adjacent markets, will fare much better in the latter half of 2013.
WashingtonExec: More M&A Activity? More IT budget cuts?
Lisa Dezzutti: M&A activity will continue to increase as contractors buy new capabilities in cyber, health IT, big data, mobility and cloud computing, as opposed to building them organically.
WashingtonExec: What shape will collaboration take between industry and government in addressing tough issues: Healthcare, Defense, Big Data, Mobility, Cloud, etc?
Lisa Dezzutti: Healthcare data management will be a major opportunity for the government contracting community – even outside of the federal marketplace. The need for solutions for managing Electronic Health Records (EHR) will only increase, which presents a unique opportunity for the contracting community.
We will also see big data mature a bit more in 2013. Though agencies are still struggling to get their arms around what data analytics means and how can it benefit them. The contracting community has an opportunity to collaborate more with agencies and help them define their needs, as well as better articulate the types of solutions they are offering.
For last year’s Washington Exec predictions issue, one of the participants said that the theme song for 2012 would be “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.” For 2013, I predict that the theme song will be “I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again.”
We still have some challenges ahead of us, but we are already getting up again.
