Government contractors across Texas are being invited to participate in a new industry survey aimed at uncovering how firms are building visibility, winning work, and positioning themselves before the RFP ever hits.

Hot Dog Marketing, a Central Texas-based branding, marketing and strategic communications firm with more than 15 years of experience working with government contractors and public entities, has launched the initiative to better understand the evolving marketing landscape in the public sector.

The result will be a comprehensive thought leadership report, one of the first of its kind, focused specifically on Texas-based government contractors and sub-consultants.

Competition from National Firms and AI is Making Winning Work Harder

For many firms operating in the government space, marketing has traditionally taken a backseat to relationships, proposals, and past performance. But that’s changing.

As competition increases and procurement processes evolve, firms are being challenged to:

• Build credibility earlier in the buying cycle
• Increase visibility with agencies before opportunities are released
• Differentiate in crowded, qualification-heavy markets

With the assistance of AI, firms with departments dedicated to bidding on work, are now bidding on work with a looser go-no-go process than ever before. It’s more important than ever to differentiate before the proposal process.

“This is something we hear consistently from contractors across Texas,” said Jessica Scanlon, CEO and Founder at Hot Dog Marketing. “Firms are doing great work, but they’re struggling to stand out in a crowded marketplace and bid environment. This study is about understanding those challenges and helping the industry move forward so Texas contracts go to Texas businesses.”

👉 Take the survey here

Insights from Industry Leaders

This initiative builds on insights gathered during Hot Dog Marketing’s recent roundtable with government contractors and industry partners across Central Texas. A consistent theme emerged: while relationships and past performance remain critical, firms are feeling increased pressure to stand out earlier in the process. Many participants noted challenges around clearly communicating their differentiators, maintaining consistent visibility with agencies, and aligning marketing efforts with long sales cycles. At the same time, there was strong interest in more strategic, proactive approaches to positioning—especially when it comes to thought leadership, digital presence, and building credibility before procurement begins.

What the Survey Covers

The survey is designed specifically for:

• Prime government contractors
• Sub-consultants and specialty firms
• Businesses supporting local, state, or federal agencies

Participants will be asked about:

• Their biggest marketing and business development challenges
• How they currently build visibility and credibility
• Strategies used to connect with agencies before procurement begins
• Plans for future growth and positioning

The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

This study is completely anonymous, the names of the companies and the participants will not be published.

What Participants Receive

In exchange for their input, participants will receive:

• A free copy of the final report, featuring aggregated insights from across Texas
• The option to receive a custom benchmark report comparing their approach to peers
• An opportunity to schedule a strategy session to review findings and identify growth opportunities

Supporting the Texas Government Contracting Community

This initiative is designed to do more than gather data—it aims to provide actionable insights that help Texas-based firms compete more effectively.

By participating, companies are contributing to a broader effort to:

• Elevate how government contractors approach marketing
• Share best practices across the industry
• Strengthen the visibility and competitiveness of Texas firms

Hot Dog Marketing plans to publish and share the findings with the broader business community, including through industry events and conferences.

Take the Survey

Government contractors and sub-consultants across Texas are encouraged to participate.

👉 Survey here

About Hot Dog Marketing

Hot Dog Marketing is a full-service branding, marketing, and strategic communications firm based in Central Texas. For over 15 years, the team has partnered with professional services firms, government contractors, and public entities to their support long-term growth. For more information about Hot Dog Marketing, visit: hotdogmarketing.com.