
Federal Government FY24 Budget Priorities
The Federal Government’s FY24 budge request includes record R&D requests, specifically for critical and emerging technologies (CET), artificial intelligence (AI), cyber, citizen experience, quantum and 5G.
The Administration has stated that the2024 budget request aims to tap into the strengths of cutting-edge technologies like digital identity and artificial intelligence (AI) while restructuring the security capabilities of software and cloud services used by the Federal Government.

Emerging Technologies - What is the Federal Government Spending on?
Marion Square continues to highlight the importance of not only understanding the landscape regarding budgets, funded programs, and initiatives, but also the criticality of ensuring your message and go to market sales motions are "tuned" for a Government audience.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and Quantum Computing - Specifically Post Quantum Cryptography are two high priority emerging technologies the Federal Government is spending on.

AFWERX Industry Innovation Days 2023 Recap
Marion Square’s Co-Founders Harvey Morrison and Greg Imahara attended the recently completed AFWERX Innovation Conference held in San Antonio Texas. (2023 Innovation Industry Days (eventsquid.com))
The conference was attended by over 100 innovative technology companies that are interested in the AFWERX/SpaceWerx SBIR/STTR programs and key program offices inside of both AFWERX and SpaceWerx.


Launching Emerging Technologies in the Federal Government (eBook)
Organizations with innovative emerging technologies should have a strategy for working with the Federal Government. Government contracts are a great way to not only access non-dilutive funding to help with product development but saying you are working with the Federal Government provides credibility for your technology in commercial markets.

Emerging Technologies: Carahsoft’s 2nd Annual Marketing Summit
Emerging Technologies: Carahsoft’s 2nd Annual Marketing Summit

The Federal Budget Process
Working with clients we often times hear, "opportunities in our sales pipeline never seem to close". At Marion Square, we categorize Government sales opportunities along a spectrum. On one end of the spectrum are opportunities with an identified budget line item and a clear mandate to make a purchase, similar to the Government’s current Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) mandate which agencies are budgeting for today. On the other end of the spectrum, you have sales opportunities that can best be described by the Government’s comments " we like your technology, it solves a problem, we really need it", but there is currently no line item budget or mandate for this technology.

FY2023 Kickoff - Key Government Initiatives
As we begin a new Government fiscal year, we wanted to highlight a few key items for you to consider as you develop your FY 23 Government sales go to market strategy and objectives. A successful Government go to market sales strategy should start with a clear understanding of the funded initiatives and programs. Having this knowledge will ensure that you are deploying your resources and time on opportunities that will yield the greatest results.

What is a Continuing Resolution (CR), and How Does it Impact Your Sales Strategy for the Upcoming Year?
As the Federal Governments fiscal year rapidly comes to a close (Sept. 30th), many companies are in the process of developing both their sales strategies and revenue forecasting models to support their government business for FY 2023. One of the items companies should account for when developing their strategies and models (especially around forecasting) is the Governments Continuing Resolution process or CR as it is more commonly referred to in Government circles.

A Sales Strategy to Overcome Economic Uncertainty
If you have ever considered developing a Government market for your technology, now maybe the ideal time. With the chance of an economic recession increasing, (some would argue we are already in a recession) companies are hard at work developing strategies to overcome the potential loss in revenue and the effects this could have on their business growth and operations. A sales strategy that includes the US Government, which is the largest purchaser of software and IT services in the world with a budget for FY 2023 estimated to be $65B, may be an option for you to consider.

Increasing Your Company’s Revenue with Government Sales
As the US economy begins to slow throughout the later half of 2022 and into 2023, organizations should consider developing a Government go to market strategy as a way to diversify their sales and reduce the risk of revenue shortfall.

Government Sales Plan for FY23 - When Should you Start Planning?
With the US Government FY 2022 quickly winding down (US Government year end is Sept 2022), now is the time for organizations to begin development of their FY 2023 Government sales plans.
Each year at this time, software companies begin to hear stories about how much money the Federal Government spends at the close of their fiscal year (yes, many of these stories are true) and ask themselves "how can I participate?"

Zero Trust: More than just a Buzzword
In May of 2021, the White House released Executive Order 14028 (Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity | The White House) entitled "Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity". This Executive Order was released in response to the Solar Winds attack and directs agencies to migrate to a Zero Trust security architecture by the of FY 2024.

SBIR Phase I Specifics
Why SBIR's:
As a quick refresher, at Marion Square we work with our clients to develop a comprehensive strategy for pursuing SBIR's. These programs are a critical piece to any successful Government go to market. Just recently Defense Secretary Austin stated that he wants to “double down on our Small Business Innovation Research program”, which is emerging as a preferred resource for gaining accelerated access to cutting-edge commercial technology through phased R&D and pilot programs. (Want To Scale Innovation at the DOD? Strengthen the SBIR Program - Nextgov)

What is the SBIR Program and why is it Potentially Valuable for your Organization?
Are you an innovative small company that has a technology you believe will solve a Government problem or provide an innovative solution to a Government need or requirement? Are you actively pursuing commercial customers or do you have a presence in the commercial markets today? Are you seeking non-dilutive types of funding to complete the development of your technology?

The Importance of B2G Market Research
In discussions with many of our client and prospect we are are constantly asked "What is the best practice for launching a Government sales program (B2G)?" Is it hiring the right sales rep? Is it getting a GSA schedule or other contract vehicle? Is it signing up the right reseller? While all of these activities play a vital role in the ultimate success of B2G program in our opinion the most important activity to invest in from the start is your market research!!

Federal Budget for FY2022- what can it tell us?
Getting mired in long sales cycles and endless meetings that yield little to no results is one of the greatest risks small businesses face when pursuing Government contracts. One of the critical success factors is understanding where, across the vast Federal landscape, to deploy sales and marketing resources to generate the greatest and quickest return.

When is the best time to start pursuing Government contracts?
The US Federal Government spends more money on IT than any Fortune 500 company, as proof the FY 21 IT budget exceeded $91B and the FY 22 IT budget is set at $97B. (Welcome to IT Dashboard | IT Dashboard) Unlike most commercial businesses, Governmental agencies are NOT incented to save and return budget dollars, this has in turn created a "use it or lose it" mentality among Government agencies when it comes to spending on IT solutions.

SBIR and the Lean Start Up…
At Marion Square we focus on helping technology companies launch/grow their US Government business. We view the Governments Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) research program as a low cost, low risk approach for small technology companies to test Government product / market fit for their product or service. Instead of guessing at market requirements or running around the DC beltway trying to meet with dozens of agencies the SBIR program (especially the USAF Open Topic) allows organizations to submit a short proposal (typically less than 10 pages) explaining how their product/service will solve a USAF problem.

A Government Sales Plan for 2021
At Marion Square we spend a great deal of time thinking about and researching the best approaches to enable small, innovative, technology companies successfully enter into the US Government marketplace.