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GAUGE
2026 REPORT

In it to win it: Outthink, outbid, outlast

An annual industry roadmap of benchmarks and trends

Meet the authors

 
  • Kim Koster-1

    Kim Koster

    VP of Product Marketing
    Unanet
     
  • christine-williamson-480x480

    Christine Williamson

    Partner, Government Contracting Industry
    CohnReznick

10 YEARS OF INSIGHT

Brought to you by Unanet and CohnReznick, the 10th anniversary GAUGE Report is your early look at how leading GovCons are working to win more, deliver compliantly, and make better, faster decisions in a turbulent, high-compliance market. Grounded in real contractor data, this year’s edition surfaces the competitive, AI, and compliance trends that are reshaping pipeline, project performance, and audit readiness across the GovCon lifecycle.

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Key Findings

Competition ranks as the top concern, prompting firms to further refine their positioning and growth strategies

Business development and marketing functions show the highest levels of AI adoption.

AI adoption drives transformation over the next five years, according to 70% of companies.

88% of firms report confidence in their ability to successfully navigate an unexpected audit
PRESSURES IMPACTING THE GOVCON INDUSTRY
confidence in federal government contracting over the last year
  • 23
    Very pessimistic
    • false
  • 36
    Somewhat lower
    • false
  • 36
    About the same
    • false
  • 4
    Somewhat higher
    • false
  • 1
    Much higher
    • false

What's Changed?

Change is never easy. And GovCon has changed. Feelings about the business environment are mixed, with nearly as many pessimists as optimists. Small firms, AI non-users, and low-win firms are feeling particularly pessimistic. And nearly 60% say their confidence in federal contracting has dropped, with low-profit, low-win firms being most doubtful.

Access key insights and trends for the GovCon industry. 

Claim your free copy of GAUGE 2026.

 
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