Winvale helps companies get into the federal marketplace

The U.S. government spends billions every year on everything from office furniture to cyber security technology, but smaller firms might be lacking the edge to win a contract. That’s where D.C.–based Winvale steps in with a mission to get small and emerging businesses and technologies into the federal market for the first time.

“Our clients go where the money is. The government buys everything,” Brian Dunn, Winvale’s cofounder and managing partner, told Technical.ly DC. “If you understand the game and how to network and understand regulations, it can be a very solid market.”

The U.S. General Services Administration’s Schedule Program, for instance, has a $38 billion budget – the largest contracting program in the government. Dunn said that the government is looking into cybersecurity services, health IT and moving data to cloud platforms that meet federal security standards.

“One of the largest barriers that small business presents in the federal market is a lot of frustration and apprehension with being able to compete with the big boys,” Dunn said, adding that a majority of applicants to federal contracts are rejected, which can extend a contract process by months. “We know what the government is looking for…  Getting people on the [GSA] schedule is close to 100 percent.”

Specifically, Winvale works to understand the value proposition of a client, facilitate paperwork and help with marketing. Their clients include Lowes, Toshiba,  Symantec and cybersecurity firm Palantir, which entered the federal market a decade ago.

“There’s a lot of red tape,” Dunn said. “If you work with the right partner… to help you navigate this maze, it could be the biggest business line for your company.”