--- title: "GovCons: Are You an Inch Deep and a Mile Wide?" description: Often times, you will see companies in the government contracting space that list a large array of NAICS codes under which they are qualified to perform services or sell products - but could a lack of specialization be holding you back in other ways? image: https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/womanbusy.jpg --- [Contact: 800-437-8151](tel:18004378151) [Help Desk](https://aldebaron.assist.com/portal) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - [AUDITS](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [DCAA Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [Single Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/a-133-audits/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.sympaq.com/#) - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [SYMPAQ Demos](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) [![REQUEST DEMO](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - [AUDITS](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [DCAA Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [Single Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/a-133-audits/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.sympaq.com/#) - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [SYMPAQ Demos](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) [![REQUEST DEMO](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) menu close close - PRODUCTS - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - RESOURCES - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) ## Blog ### Subscribe to our Blog # GovCons: Are You an Inch Deep and a Mile Wide? [Government Contractor](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/government-contractor), [Business Tips](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/business-tips), [Small Government Contractor](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/small-government-contractor) 08/28/2019 [G. Chris Brown](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/author/cbrown) ![Busy Businesswoman](https://sql.sympaq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/womanbusy.jpg?width=300&name=womanbusy.jpg)Often times, you will see companies in the government contracting space that list a large array of NAICS codes under which they are qualified to perform services or sell products. What are NAICS Codes? NAICS is the [National Association of Industry Classification System](https://www.naics.com/) for identifying via a numeric code what it is your company provides (goods and services) to its customers. Some examples of codes, of which there are hundreds, include 541511 for Custom Computer Programming Services and 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. The Small Business Administration imposes caps otherwise known as [size standards](https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Size_Standards_Table.pdf) based on the dollar threshold or number of employees a contractor may have to receive awards under a particular NAICS code and still be considered to be a small business. Therefore, an emerging government contractor - especially those with a small disadvantaged designation - will often advertise that they are able to perform services under literally dozens of NAICS codes, apart from their primary NAICS code. We've seen first hand where an aerospace engineering company also had in its portfolio of services several NAICS codes in unrelated fields, including courier services. We refer to this shotgun strategy by the acronym AFAB\*. As a result, the government agency that procures services cannot easily pinpoint the contractor's capabilities and offering in order to clearly identify the value So what is it within a company's staff experience, past performance and background that uniquely qualifies a contractor with specific expertise (primary NAICS) to successfully perform contract work under such disparate codes? Often times, the answer is a resounding "nothing". When the expertise sought does not align with successful past performance in a particular field, this in turn could lead to a contract termination for convenience or - worse yet – termination for default. Could a lack of specialization be holding you back in other ways? The market research book, “Spiraling Up” is based on a compilation of results surveys conducted by Hinge Marketing of professional services firms. In it, the author’s observe, “High growth firms tend to specialize and are much more likely to have strong, easy-to-understand differentiators.” Therefore, a company that does not specialize is most likely to experience lackluster growth while attempting to be all things to all people. Organic growth and contracting success is not met by offering services within a large mix of varied and unrelated NAICS codes, but rather within a fine tuned strategy of identifying your particular niche within a focused set of NAICS codes, including those closely related to your primary NAICS code. That way, your government customer can better understand your unique selling proposition that you provide, and exactly what it is about your company that sets you apart from your competitors. \* **A**nything **F**or **A** **B**uck   ### Recent Blogs February, 07 2025 ## [Strong Headwinds Ahead for Federal Government Contractors in 2025](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0) [Government Contractor](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/government-contractor) [Accounting Software](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/accounting-software) [SYMPAQ Benefits](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/sympaq-benefits) [Business Tips](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/business-tips) [Headwinds](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/headwinds) Poised to bid on contracts with the Federal Government? you will likely encounter challenges with procurement regulations and bureaucracy.[ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0#comments-listing) January, 10 2025 ## [End of Year Tax Form Filing Has Never Been Easier!](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier) [tax](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/tax) [2024](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/2024) As we learned last year when the paper filing threshold dropped from 250 for each tax form to 10 tax forms in aggregate (i.e., 1099-NEC plus 1099-Misc plus W2), one should no longer be contemplating t\[...\][ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier#comments-listing) December, 04 2024 ## [Another Year, Another End-of-Year Update](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update) [2024](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/2024) One thing we've learned over the years as a software publisher is that unless you are planning on sunsetting a legacy application, you are never "done" with development.[ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update#comments-listing) ![](https://sql.sympaq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png?width=200&name=crop-trans-logo.png) We are focused on delivering reliable cost accounting, timekeeping and expense reporting solutions to labor-intensive federal government contractors and not-for-profit organizations in search of fully compliant, standards-based, project accounting software. ### Get In Touch [contact@sympaq.com](mailto:contact@sympaq.com) Local phone:[(301) 670-0858](tel:3016700858) Fax: (301) 840-1591 15839 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. 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