Succeeding within the labyrinthian world of presidency contracting requires extra than simply technical experience and trade information. For Margarita Howard, sole proprietor and CEO/president of HX5, success has come via a mixture of strategic foresight, infrastructure funding, and an unwavering dedication to excellence. This has established her firm as a revered supplier {of professional} mission help providers to the Division of Protection and NASA.
From its humble beginnings in 2004 to its present standing as a contractor with over 1,000 staff throughout 34 states and 90 authorities areas, HX5 has carved out a particular path in authorities contracting. The expansion trajectory of the Fort Walton Seashore, Florida-based firm displays Howard’s distinctive method to constructing a sustainable enterprise in a extremely aggressive trade.
Margarita Howard’s journey to entrepreneurship was formed by her army service and subsequent expertise with the Tricare program, the Division of Protection’s complete well being care initiative. Howard says, “I used to be a part of the Tricare implementation group when it was first launched. Earlier than that, the army’s care had by no means been managed in such a vogue.”
She explains, “No one likes change. So we had a number of city corridor conferences. I used to be an space subject supervisor on the time, answerable for my workplace in Florida. I then rapidly superior to a regional director the place I had seven states within the Southeast that I used to be answerable for.”
This background supplied her with invaluable insights into the operational and business points of presidency contracting, laying the groundwork for her future success.
Margarita Howard on Overcoming Trade Challenges
The federal government contracting sector in 2024 presents distinctive obstacles and alternatives, formed by report federal spending ranges and an elevated concentrate on rising applied sciences like cybersecurity and synthetic intelligence. Whereas the surge in protection spending, well being care initiatives, and infrastructure tasks has created vital contractor alternatives, it additionally brings intensified scrutiny and oversight.
Howard understands that success on this surroundings requires rigorous consideration to element. “Companies should put money into educating themselves about these rules and guarantee strict adherence to them,” she says. “It’s essential that an organization’s information are impeccable when working with the federal government because of the compliance reporting and audits that corporations need to comply with carry out on authorities contracts.”
All through her profession in authorities contracting, Margarita Howard has witnessed vital shifts in trade dynamics, significantly in alternatives for girls. The growing presence of girls represents a significant evolution in what was traditionally a male-dominated subject. But she stays clear-eyed about each progress and protracted challenges.
“It’s rewarding to see that girls are making vital strides within the authorities contracting trade, through the years, breaking obstacles and extra usually assuming management roles on this trade and inside authorities businesses that we work with,” she says. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that: “It’s nonetheless considerably difficult for girls on this trade, and whereas progress has been made, some biases sadly stay to be overcome.”
At HX5, Howard has put these observations into follow, creating the inclusive surroundings she envisions for the broader trade. She has constructed a various management group that displays her dedication to advancing ladies within the trade. A lot of HX5’s senior administration positions are held by ladies, and plenty of of them have been with the corporate for prolonged durations. “On the finish of the day, it’s our group of nice staff and administration that makes us profitable,” Margarita Howard acknowledges.
Her cautious method to constructing this sturdy basis has paid dividends. “We had been very selective of folks that we selected for our administration group. And actually, I couldn’t be extra happy with them,” she says. “A lot of them have been with us for 10 years or so, and we simply have a extremely devoted, skilled administration group. We couldn’t do what we do with out them.”
HX5’s Strategic Progress By means of Aggressive Excellence
What distinguishes HX5 from lots of its friends is Howard’s determination to concentrate on aggressive bidding moderately than relying solely on sole-source awards. Howard says, “We had been within the trade, we knew small companies in our space, and that’s what lots of them did (relied on sole-source awards). And as soon as this system was over after 9 years, they had been finished. They’d by no means competed. They’d by no means actually finished it on their very own.”
She’s speaking in regards to the 8(a) program, a federal initiative designed to offer contracting alternatives and coaching for small-business house owners going through social and financial disadvantages. It proved instrumental in catalyzing HX5’s development and growth. “After turning into an 8(a) firm, we had been awarded in a short time 4 contracts in a single yr and that basically helped in getting us off the bottom,” she recollects.
Margarita Howard’s emphasis on constructing sturdy infrastructure from the outset has been significantly essential. “Giant companies and the federal government have to satisfy small-business objectives,” she explains. “So once they discover a small firm that they know understands the trade [and] they’re not going to have to carry their hand, I’m proud to say they had been very impressed with us.”
Regardless of the complexities inherent in authorities contracting, Howard maintains an unwavering dedication to her firm’s mission. “Working aspect by aspect with civil servants and the army, supporting their respective missions, is a privilege. I really like this enterprise and the work that we do. I’m extraordinarily happy with it,” she says.
As HX5 continues to develop and adapt within the authorities contracting house, Margarita Howard’s management fashion and imaginative and prescient function a blueprint for achievement on this demanding trade. HX5 demonstrates how women-owned companies can thrive and lead within the authorities contracting sector, setting new requirements for excellence and innovation.
