Christmas in July: Capitalizing on Federal Year-End Spending
As we welcome July, the start of the federal government’s fiscal year 4th Quarter ending on September 30th, we also prepare for the government’s annual year-end spending spree.
In the world of federal agencies, unspent budget allocations can be seen as a misjudgment of need and potentially lead to reduced allocations in the subsequent budget year. Hence, the phrase “use-it-or-lose-it spending” has become synonymous with the 4th Quarter (“Q4”), as agencies hurry to utilize their remaining budget funding.
In an annual pattern, during the months of July, August, and September, the federal government expends nearly one-third of its annual budget. The crescendo of this spending spree reaches its peak in September, marking it as the highest spending month of the year.
For companies aspiring to expand their government contracting business, Q4 represents a unique window of opportunity. The most critical step to benefit from Q4 spending is to begin your groundwork early.
Begin by investigating expiring contracts and engage with the respective agencies well in advance to establish professional relationships. When contracts are up for renewal or rebidding, your company will already be a familiar name in their contact list.
It is essential for businesses to market themselves to the government and take advantage of programs such as the MatchMaker and Market Intel Database platforms to help build relationships and find contract opportunities.
Starting in July, it’s beneficial to actively revisit your relationships with these agencies, remind them of your offerings, send your Capability Statement, and don’t be afraid to ask for the order and to steer some of the Q4 budget allocation towards your business.
You should also ensure that your SAM & DSBS are current, compliant, and complete. If you are listed on a GSA MAS Schedule, make sure your information and pricing are updated and all mandatory modifications have been submitted. You want to be certain that your prices, products, and services are current before the spending rush begins.
In addition, if you qualify under certain socio-economic conditions get SBA Certified to qualify for sole source and set-aside contracts.
As per trends and predictions, Q4 spending for FYE2023 is anticipated to surpass $220 Billion. This presents an immense opportunity to boost your revenues. In times of urgent or pressing spending, federal buyers rely on trusted sources. Do they know you?
FedBiz Access (“FedBiz”) has an experienced team that works with small businesses and takes the time to get to know your business and ask questions to ensure you have a solid contracting plan. FedBiz is a leading government contracting business development and marketing firm that provides engagement strategy coaching, SAM & DSBS registration, set-aside certification registrations, GSA Schedules, and targeted market research.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- 1 What is the "Christmas in July" phenomenon in federal contracting?
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Christmas in July refers to the beginning of the federal government's 4th Quarter (July-September), a period marked by a significant increase in spending. Agencies often have a "use-it-or-lose-it" approach to their budgets, leading to a surge in contract opportunities as they aim to utilize remaining funds before the fiscal year ends on September 30th.
- 2 Why is the federal government's 4th Quarter a key opportunity for contractors?
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The federal government spends nearly one-third of its annual budget during July, August, and September, with September being the peak spending month. This creates a unique window for businesses to secure contracts as agencies accelerate spending to utilize unspent allocations before the fiscal year concludes.
- 3 What steps should businesses take to prepare for Q4 federal spending?
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Businesses should begin groundwork early by investigating expiring contracts and engaging with agencies to build relationships. It's essential to market your offerings, send updated Capability Statements, and ensure your SAM & DSBS registrations are current and complete.
- 4 How can businesses effectively market themselves to federal agencies during Q4?
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Actively revisit relationships with agencies, remind them of your offerings, and send your Capability Statement. Utilizing platforms like MatchMaker and Market Intel Database can help build connections and identify contract opportunities. Don't hesitate to ask for the order to steer Q4 budget allocation towards your business.









