HX5 on the Difficulties and Rewards of Working on Complex Government Projects

HX5, under the leadership of Margarita Howard, sole owner, CEO, and president, has carved out a significant niche in the challenging sectors of defense and space, working closely with the Department of Defense and NASA. The company’s success, shaped by various complexities and strict regulations, highlights the significant challenges and unique rewards in government contracting.

The defense and space sectors are renowned for their intricate logistical challenges and changing mission priorities. Margarita Howard says, “We always have to be ready for changing mission priorities based on real-time world events.” This readiness extends to handling fluctuations in funding, especially as the fiscal year end approaches. “Every year, we run into, ‘Is the budget going to be approved? Are they going to have budget cuts?’” Howard explains.

She recognizes the need for meticulous preparation. “We always prepare for the month of September, what changes may come about, or they’re going to let us know at the last minute of something that they need, or that we may see some cuts in the following year that we need to prepare for. It’s a lot of very much typical government bureaucracy. If it’s in the news, we’re probably dealing with it,” says Howard.

Although last-minute budget cuts are not usually the main issue, the possibility of personnel furloughs due to budget delays remains a significant concern. Work must continue without interruption, making it impossible for furlough staff to actively engage in critical overseas missions. This situation requires temporarily self-funding essential operations to ensure mission continuity until budget approvals are secured.

In response to these uncertainties, HX5 has implemented a multifaceted strategy. For essential missions, the company is prepared to “work at risk for a little while,” explains Howard. This approach involves temporarily financing operations out of pocket until budget approvals come through and reimbursements are made. “We know that with the work that we do, we will get reimbursed,” she says.

Margarita Howard on Regulatory Compliance and Expertise

HX5 recognizes that its success hinges on the caliber of its workforce. The company prioritizes attracting and retaining professionals with strong backgrounds in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math and relevant certifications. This focus on top-tier talent is essential for upholding the company’s reputation for excellence and operational prowess.

Beyond recruitment, HX5 is deeply committed to ongoing professional development. The company invests substantially in comprehensive training initiatives to sharpen employees’ skills and expand their expertise. These programs cover various critical areas, from cutting-edge industry practices to rigorous security protocols and intricate compliance requirements.

By fostering a continuous learning and improvement culture, HX5 ensures its team remains at the forefront of industry developments. This approach not only enhances individual performance; it also bolsters the company’s overall capabilities, enabling HX5 to consistently deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of its clients.

Working within the defense and space industries demands rigorous adherence to many regulations, so hiring individuals with extensive experience in the government sector is essential. “We prefer to hire experienced individuals, so we look for people that have worked with or supported NASA or the Department of Defense as this experience is always very helpful,” says Howard. “Experience in their respective fields such as contracting, accounting/finance, and HR is key because leading a workforce in this industry is very different than leading it in the commercial world.”

Howard continues, “We have built and keep a team of advisers that specialize in the government industry, in the government field. These external experts help us with the more challenging and complex regulatory matters, for example, whether it’s a contracting issue, an accounting issue, or an audit issue. Those are types of external situations where we may need to consult with these experts. They’re part of our practice and business model.”

Maintaining a solid company culture amid the dynamic and often high-pressure government contracting environment is essential. Howard emphasized the principle of leading by example. “We hold ourselves to the same high standards of performance, and integrity, and honesty that we would expect of our employees,” she says.

HX5 Capabilities

The path to success in government contracting is fraught with challenges, including intense competition and complex procurement processes. Howard recounted the difficulties faced by HX5 in its early days, particularly the significant upfront investments required in proposal development, marketing, and infrastructure. “As a small business starting up many years ago, HX5 faced these and other challenges due to limited financial resources and personnel,” says Margarita Howard.

While the challenges are numerous, the rewards of working on complex government projects are equally significant. The opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge missions in defense and space provides a unique sense of fulfillment. Howard shared a glimpse into the fascinating aspects of the firm’s work, like the various NASA labs that the company supports.  “The work we do is very, very exciting,” she said. “It’s not being done anywhere else in the world.”

This sentiment is echoed throughout HX5, emphasizing the intrinsic motivation that drives the company’s team. The prevailing philosophy at HX5 is that the work isn’t primarily about financial gain, but the thrill of pushing boundaries and achieving monumental goals. HX5 attracts and retains professionals genuinely excited by the prospect of space exploration or supporting critical defense missions taking place all over the world.

This passion for groundbreaking achievements and meaningful contributions to national objectives is a cornerstone of HX5’s corporate culture. This shared enthusiasm for tackling grand challenges unites the team and propels the company forward in its ambitious pursuits within government contracting sectors.

The company’s expertise extends from supporting groundbreaking scientific research to boots-on-the-ground operational support. It excels in providing support to its government colleagues who are involved in advanced scientific exploration technologies, advanced precision engineering and systems design, and mission operations support services for military environments. However, the company’s capabilities continue beyond that.

HX5 is also at the forefront of supporting forward-looking digital infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives, providing on-site operational assistance in these various areas within respective customer environments. Its end-to-end project oversight and resource optimization ensure that every aspect of a project is managed with utmost efficiency and effectiveness.

By seamlessly integrating these diverse capabilities, HX5 is an indispensable partner throughout the project. The company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, coupled with its laser focus on flawless execution, ensures that it not only meets but consistently surpasses the exacting standards of its NASA and Department of Defense clientele. At HX5, the company doesn’t just deliver services — it works alongside its government counterparts to engineer the future of defense and space technology.