Larry Reagan, Senior Managing Director at Maximus

September 15, 2024

Presented by Maximus

Best Practices for Small and Large Businesses in Government Contracting

Larry Reagan, Senior Managing Director at Maximus, discusses the critical role of collaboration between large companies and small businesses in government contracting. Maximus has long recognized the value that small businesses bring, especially in building and maintaining a mission-focused workforce. However, Reagan shares that successful partnerships require careful selection to ensure cultural compatibility and alignment with the larger company's mission objectives. One of the main challenges for large companies is when government contracts are shifted exclusively to small businesses, which can disrupt established processes and relationships. To overcome these challenges, small businesses must clearly articulate their niche expertise and demonstrate how they contribute to the overall mission rather than attempting to cover all areas. Reagan highlighted Maximus's successful partnership with Chivo Consulting, which has endured for over a decade due to a strong cultural fit and mutual understanding of mission priorities. This type of relationship, based on trust and long-term collaboration, is essential for delivering effective solutions to government clients.

Key Takeaways:

1. Small businesses should focus on defining their niche and value when partnering with large companies.
   
   
2. A successful collaboration hinges on a strong cultural fit and mission alignment.
   
   
3. Long-term partnerships are built on mutual trust and a shared focus on achieving government missions.