According to USAspending.gov, Federal spending for all budget functions is higher January through June 2025 ($7.5 trillion) than during the same period in 2024 ($7.0 trillion). Sure, it is only a difference of $500 billion, or $2.76 billion per day (based on 181 days), but that kind of counts as more spending.

In my world, we often talk about “perception being reality,” but when it comes to the government and the idea of data, I am reminded of the old phrase popularized by Mark Twain: “There are lies, damned lies and statistics.”

If you believe what we’ve been spoon-fed these past 7 months, the Federal Government, under DOGE rule, has slashed spending at every turn. And private businesses swear they have never experienced a more difficult time to be bidding on government jobs.

And then there is the data.

Last week, the Department of Defense announced – as it does every day – some of its newest awards. Among them was the Palantir award of $10,000,000,000. Just another day, just another contract. Lockheed, Boeing, Moog, Raytheon and literally hundreds of other companies get their daily share of wins. And that is all good. These are qualified private businesses competing in open bids to win contracts that more than ever before demand effectiveness and efficiency.

So, what’s a business to believe?

Here’s my two cents: It doesn’t matter. If you have a service and/or product that is excellent and you have the ability to deliver in a timely fashion and you are competitively priced, then the door is open. If you have something extra – small business status, minority ownership status, veteran status – the door is open a little wider. If you are a good business with a known and good reputation and you are willing to do the hard work, the door is open as far as it can go.

Government spending, like the weather, is unpredictable… and it is always there. If you choose to go after your slice of the pie, have something to offer and begin building brand awareness and relationships. And don’t believe everything you hear or read about how things are harder than ever; things have always been hard.

You want it? Work for it.