Lockheed & Martin, Raytheon, Boeing and General Dynamics are the 4 biggest players in government contracting.
Behemoth companies each take almost 100 Billion in government contract revenue each year. Defense and military spending are Federally some of the largest budgets and they get a majority of this market share. Our tech needs to stay number one!
Even a subcontractor for these guys can make unbelievable amounts of generation-sustaining money if they do well enough. These companies outsource or subcontract waste management and other non-specialty trivialities to small businesses all the time. It is one of the easiest ways to start your contracting network and eventually be a sole beneficiary of contracts like them.
While I wouldn’t suggest going after their contracts if you are starting off, subcontracting with them or applying for work specifically set aside for smaller companies have much better chances for you to actually win something and build to a substantial savings.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin offers opportunities for the development of small businesses through outreach programs as well as partnerships. Their Supplier Diversity Programs include the following:
- AbilityOne Program
A Federal initiative to help people who are blind or severely disabled find employment by working for nonprofit agencies that sell products and/or services to the U.S. government - Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
HBCUs, TCUs and Minority Institutions (MIs), are given subcontracting opportunities, technology transfer, cooperative education programs, and other collaborative initiatives. - Indian Incentives Program
The Department of Defense Indian Incentive Program applies to corporation programs seeking reimbursement on open DOD contracts and subcontracts. - Mentor Protégé
A government outreach program designed to encourage large defense contractors to develop technical and business capabilities of small disadvantaged businesses to enable them to compete more effectively for defense-related work. - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Federal programs designed to fund small businesses to conduct research and develop emerging technology. - Veteran_Owned Businesses
The first-ever program to train veteran small business owners to succeed in the federal contracting market.
Raytheon
Raytheon works with small businesses through the SBIR and STTR programs..
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transition (STTR)
These are federally funded programs that help small business engage and provide innovation in emerging technologies to address and identify needs.
Boeing
Boeing recognizes and works with SBA-certified small businesses including HUBZone, WOSB, SDB, and 8(a) as well as M/WBE and other state/municipal certifications.
General Dynamics
General Dynamics partners with AbilityOne organizations, small disadvantaged businesses and SBA-certified HUBZone, Native American-owned businesses, and minority owned companies.