Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2025 – With federal agencies increasing oversight on contractor performance and professional conduct, the Federal Management Institute (FMI) today issued the GovCon Delivery & Performance Handbook — a free, practical guide aimed at helping contractors develop consistent standards of professionalism and accountability within their teams.
Each year, more than $700 billion in federal contracts depend on contractor personnel to deliver mission-critical services. Yet many firms still face challenges in ensuring consistent communication, ethics, and delivery discipline across diverse client sites. The GovCon Delivery & Performance Handbook closes that gap by providing organizations with a ready-to-use framework to distribute to every employee supporting a federal program.
FMI’s initiative aligns with findings from Deltek’s 2025 Clarity Government Contracting Industry Study, which surveyed nearly 900 contractors and reported that 54% of respondents saw growth in government revenue in 2024, even as many anticipate increased pressure on contract performance in 2025. Those results underscore what FMI’s leaders have observed in the field: technical success alone no longer guarantees contract stability — professionalism, communication, and accountability are equally critical.
“The handbook defines what professionalism looks like in practice,” said J. Caesar, Partnership and Community Manager at the FMI. “It gives every employee a clear playbook for representing their company and supporting the mission.”
A Practical Framework for Federal Delivery
The handbook turns complex contractual expectations into everyday habits that drive performance. Topics include:
- How to navigate dual reporting lines between clients and corporate management.
- Managing out-of-scope requests and maintaining contractual alignment.
- Communicating effectively with CORs and government stakeholders.
- Protecting data and maintaining cybersecurity awareness.
- Representing the company professionally onsite and online.
- Bringing value and continuous improvement to every task.
Each section pairs plain-language explanations with realistic examples and “Delivery Tips” that reinforce daily application. The guide’s conversational tone and real-world focus make it equally useful for analysts, specialists, and team leads.
Built for Organizational Use
The handbook was intentionally designed for organizational adoption. Organizations can incorporate it into onboarding, training, or performance programs — and may customize it with their own logo or branding while maintaining FMI’s standardized professional framework.
“The intent isn’t to create a rigid rulebook,” Caesar explained. “It’s a foundation the industry can build on. We want HR teams and delivery leads to adapt it for their environment while preserving the same core principles of professionalism and accountability.”
This adaptable format allows companies of any size to reinforce professional standards, reduce risk, and strengthen relationships with their federal clients.
Supporting a Broader Workforce Development Mission
The handbook complements FMI’s suite of certification and training programs, including the Certified GovCon Professional (CGCP), Certified GovCon Project Manager (CGPM), and Certified GovCon Program Manager (CGPrM) credentials. Together, these initiatives provide a structured pathway for GovCon professionals — from new hires mastering delivery basics to program leaders managing multimillion-dollar portfolios.
“Technical skill delivers the task,” Caesar added. “Professional behavior sustains the trust. This handbook helps people do both.”
The GovCon Delivery & Performance Handbook is available now as a free digital download at federalmi.org/delivery-and-performance-handbook.
FMI encourages contracting firms, HR leaders, and program managers to integrate the handbook into their internal training or adapt it under their own branding to establish a consistent baseline for professional conduct.
About the Federal Management Institute
The Federal Management Institute (FMI) is a professional training and certification organization serving the U.S. government contracting (GovCon) industry. Founded by practitioners with extensive federal experience, FMI develops frameworks, tools, and credentials that strengthen delivery performance, compliance, and workforce capability across all contract types.
Its mission is to elevate the standard for delivery excellence and arm GovCon professionals — from analysts to executives — with the structure and confidence to act with integrity and accountability in every engagement.
For more information or to download the handbook, visit www.federalmi.org.
Media Contact:
Federal Management Institute
Email: info@federalmi.org
Website: www.federalmi.org
Final line for reprint blurbs:
By turning everyday professionalism into a shared performance standard, FMI is helping contractors deliver not just on scope — but on trust.
Media Contact
Company Name: Federal Management Institute
Country: United States
Website: http://federalmi.org/
