How the Buzz Around Iowa Women’s Basketball vs. Baylor Can Inspire Small Businesses to Engage in Government Contracting Opportunities

How the Buzz Around Iowa Women’s Basketball vs. Baylor Can Inspire Small Businesses to Engage in Government Contracting Opportunities

The recent Iowa women’s basketball upset over No. 10 Baylor has generated substantial buzz on social media, highlighting the power of teamwork, perseverance, and seizing opportunity. While this thrilling game may seem unrelated to government contracting, small businesses can draw valuable lessons from it to strengthen their approach in a competitive federal marketplace.

1. Underdogs Winning Through Preparation and Focus

Iowa entered the WBCA Showcase as an unheralded team, yet they toppled a perennial powerhouse in Baylor. This triumph stemmed from focused preparation, adapting to late changes (playing without key guard Chit-Chat Wright), and executing under pressure. Similarly, small businesses may feel overshadowed by large, established federal contractors but can compete by thoroughly preparing and focusing on their niche capabilities.

Actionable Takeaway: Invest time in understanding federal buyers’ needs, learn the nuances of solicitations posted on platforms like SAM.gov, and tailor your proposals to highlight your unique strengths — much like Iowa emphasized its defensive efforts late in the game.

2. The Power of a Cohesive Team

Iowa’s success was not due to a single star but a combination of players stepping up when needed, including a bench player delivering a career-high performance. For SMBs, building a capable contract team—from capture managers to proposal writers—and leveraging partners or subcontractors can create a winning coalition.

Actionable Takeaway: Identify experts familiar with GSA schedules or other contracting vehicles and collaborate to present comprehensive solutions. Your “bench strength” in compliance, pricing, and technical expertise will enhance your chances of winning contracts.

3. Momentum and Closing Strong

Iowa’s defensive stand in the final minutes exemplifies closing strong—a vital principle in federal proposals or contract negotiations. Momentum builds as you submit compliant, polished proposals on time and follow up diligently, demonstrating reliability.

Actionable Takeaway: Treat every interaction with contracting officers professionally. Meeting regulatory requirements (FAR compliance), deadlines, and communication standards turns the tide in your favor.

4. Leveraging Social Buzz to Build Brand Awareness

The social media excitement following Iowa’s win extended the team’s visibility and engagement well beyond the game. For small businesses, building an online presence around government contracting success stories, certifications, or wins helps credibility and outreach.

Actionable Takeaway: Share your government contract awards or milestones on LinkedIn and Twitter. Engage with government procurement forums and agencies’ social channels to build relationships and remain top of mind for opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Just as Iowa’s women’s basketball team leveraged teamwork, resilience, and strategic focus to upset Baylor, small businesses can adopt these principles to punch above their weight in federal contracting. Small business owners should view government contracts not as an insurmountable challenge but as an opportunity requiring preparation, collaboration, consistency, and visibility.

To get started, register your business in SAM.gov, explore relevant NAICS codes, research applicable GSA schedules, and continually build your capabilities and network. With perseverance akin to an underdog team, your SMB can score big in the federal marketplace.

GovScout helps small businesses break into federal contracting. We simplify SAM.gov, surface winnable contracts, and give you the insights to grow in the public sector. Learn more at govscout.io.