The FY 2025 Elev8 GovCon Nomination Period is Closed – On-Ramp for new companies

Updated August 16 – The nomination window for 2025 Elev8 Honorees has now closed.

Save the Date: November 20th – The annual Elev8 GovCon & Engage FedGov event, which will bring together the top brands and leaders from across the Federal GovCon space, and again will be hosted at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery (located north of DC) this year will be even bigger with more attendees, more activities, more to miss out on if you’re not there. Details here.

The Federal GovCon sector is one of the most complex and competitive marketplaces in the world. The consistent and long-term winners are those which not only drive innovative and effective solutions, but that also demonstrate their own excellence in measurable and defined ways, making them a beacon for talent, for partners, and for clients. 

The inaugural Elev8 GovCon awards nudged opened the door and shed a light on what these companies are doing, and on what government clients and top talent have identified as important. As with anything, however, maintaining the status quo is not enough and the next iteration of Elev8 GovCon will take it up a level by identifying, recognizing, and fostering a growing community of companies that are exceptional and that share common values and goals. Details related to the nomination form, the timeline, and the commitment that will be required to be considered an Elev8 GovCon honoree are provided below.  

The defined characteristics of a 2025 Elev8 GovCon recognized company serve as a key competitive edge, to include in higher levels of employee and customer engagement and loyalty which translate into higher growth and profits. The companies that will be recognized, and the leaders guiding these teams forward, understand what it takes and are models of continuous improvement and #doingittherightway. #Elev8GovCon   

Meet the 2024 Elev8 GovCon Honorees here.

Meet the 2024 Elev8 GovCon Honorees here.

Elev8 GovCon companies are evaluated and stand out from the competition based on their outstanding characteristics in two or more of the following 8 key areas:   

Good Partner    

Partners come in many shapes, sizes and with different purposes but those who do it the right way are sought after and are partners anyone would happily engage again. Other words that may define this category include ethical, reputable, moral, upright, and exemplary.  Partners that are exceptional not only uphold the ‘letter of the law’ when it comes to teaming agreements, they find ways to go above and beyond to provide support, mentorship, engagement, to collaborate and to bridge the divide, building one successful team to deliver for their client. 

Growing Your Talent  

Taking care of people means helping them be and do better than they did before. Whether that is through internal or external training, certifications, mentorship programs, or opportunities to take on leadership roles, companies that take care of their teams find ways for them to excel, and they support and encourage those efforts. Growing talent may mean helping people evolve and grow into opportunities outside of the company as they seek fulfillment, or may help develop the next level of leadership within the company. Either way, the focus is on what is best for the individual. 

Philanthropy    

Narrowly defined as the donation of money, philanthropy implies a generosity that can also translate to money, pro-bono work or in-kind donations that underlies it is not all about the bottom dollar but about the bigger picture.  True philanthropy is not a checkbox or cheque that is signed based on company profits, but rather is driven by its team, by its focus, and by what is happening the world and communities it works in. 

Exemplify Innovation  

Whether it is through technology, culture, mission or approach, companies that succeed do not stand still. Innovation signifies life, implies thought and forward movement, and is critical as the world becomes increasingly complex and challenging. Innovation must exist in how teams come together, in benefits and compensation offered, in ways business engages with partners and clients in order to drive true forward motion. Companies must be guided by principles that understand the status quo is not enough and they must demonstrate they are doing more and doing better. 

Industry Engagement  

Whether it is hosting or driving the development of events and activities intended to support the industry as a whole, companies that ‘do it right’ all seem to have some component of giving back to the industry that sustains them that is authentic and appreciated. True engagement is not a one day a year activity, is not focused on a single act or single organization. Industry engagement looks at the whole of the community and will include multiple aspects including mentorship, giving of time or services, sharing of intel, will involve people from across the company and will be driven by a desire to give back. 

Inclusive and Diverse  

Better for the diversity we bring, unique for the ideas of the individual, variety is the spice of life, are terms that all drive home the value of inclusivity, of hiring people who are different. More than that, inclusive and diverse teams find ways to have those voices heard, for combining those personalities on shared efforts for the betterment of all involved.   

Sustainability Practices   

Not just a recent buzzword, sustainability is important for industry and is becoming increasingly important for government. We know sustainability may be harder to define for smaller businesses but those that are #doingitright understand that everyone must do their part and they have identified and defined ways they can #dobetter for themselves and their government clients. 

Investment for the Sake of Betterment 

Investing to grow is natural. Investing to do better is exceptional. Whether it is investment in internal systems and processes, adding to the team to lighten workloads, adding SME support focused on the softer side of business, seeking external counsel aimed at improving the company, maturing processes and customer delivery through certifications or process standards companies that #doitright are willing to put money behind their commitment to improving the work environment and experience for both internal teams and as it relates to customer delivery. 

The Elev8 GovCon Nomination and Selection Process and Timeline – New Companies for consideration*

The 2024 Elev8 GovCon submission and onward requires an additional Commitment. Elev8 GovCon Honorees understand that doing it the right way is not a one and done series of actions. A focus now and in future will center around not only identifying and honoring these exceptional companies and leaders, but on also on providing exclusive opportunities for this community of leading companies that share a common value set to come together, connect with, learn from, mentor, and partner as we strive to support and drive the increasingly important and varied set of missions that this government contracting community serves every day.  

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