Author: Nancy Patel, General Manager, Commercial
A year ago, I embarked on a journey with Unison, bringing a suitcase filled with experiences in introducing new technology to the government – from cybersecurity to Data Analytics and Data Security software. But here’s the twist: many times, in my career, contracting has been pigeonholed into the big, cumbersome elephant in the room, often stalling progress, sometimes even at the cost of the government’s mission. I’ve always held onto the belief that there’s a better way, a belief that software could be the liberator to some of these problems.
Fast forward to today, after a year of drinking from the GovCon and acquisition firehose, I’ve realized something crucial: This world is more intricate and complex than any software alone can unravel. But that’s not the end of the story; it’s just the beginning.
Reconnecting with old friends and colleagues in this industry, I’ve started to see government contracts and acquisitions in a new light. It’s easy to grumble about the process, but understanding it, really getting to the nuts and bolts, and thinking creatively about solutions – that’s the game-changer.
It’s easy to point fingers when the contracts process goes awry or seems impossible. But the thing is that although making it better is a lot harder, it’s vital. It’s critical to ensure the government can carry out its mission, whether that’s in defense, intelligence, or civilian services. And you know what? I’m all in, ready to think outside the box to support these incredible people.
The community here is something else. There’s a shared commitment to supporting customers and ensuring the government does right by the taxpayer and fulfills its mission responsibly. This might seem like an uphill battle at times, but the energy and willingness to think differently is palpable and inspiring.
Reflecting on 2023, a couple of highlights stand out for me. First, I’m part of a team passionate about making a tangible difference in government contracting. Sure, we’re not fixing policy. But we are driving progress by improving workflows, reporting, and compliance processes, one contracts professional at a time. Second, I’ve unraveled the mystery of what my old friend at Lockheed Martin – the “pricing guy” – did each day. Thanks to Unison’s Cost Engineering team, those cost models that he spent so much time on and once seemed like a black box in our Bid & Proposal (B&P) process are now much clearer.
Looking ahead to 2024, I’m excited to focus on enhancing the roles and lives of cost engineers. A credible, defensible cost estimate goes beyond the numbers—it’s about setting projects up for success, empowering project managers, and instilling belief in teams. Then, there’s the challenge of driving the evolution of contract lifecycle management, diving into new functional and technical spaces, including data validation and AI.
And, at the risk of sounding cheesy, I’m genuinely excited to listen more to our customers, using their feedback to guide our product evolution. I firmly believe that the best way to drive a product into the future is by listening to those who use it. These conversations are the building blocks of innovation, the real-life inputs that fuel our vision for the future. As we continue to listen, learn, and adapt based on what our customers share, we can craft solutions that resonate with their needs, challenges, and aspirations.
As I look to the future with Unison, I’m ready to walk right along with my team, customers, and partners. Together, we’ll tackle these complex challenges one at a time, helping drive progress and find new ways to enhance our customers’ experiences and make their lives a little better.
Unison CLM and CE Teams strive to provide solutions that empower government contractors with data-driven, optimized workflows that enhance efficiency.