A Rather Exclusive Club
So, what happens when one of the big players gets chased out of town? In most industries, a swarm of new competitors would rush in. But the world of U.S. federal contracting isn't like most industries. To me, it’s more like a stuffy, exclusive members' club. Getting in is an absolute nightmare. You need security clearances that take years to acquire, a track record as long as your arm, and an intimate understanding of Byzantine procurement rules.
Once you’re in, however, it’s remarkably cosy. The contracts are long, the revenue is stable, and the government, for all its faults, usually pays its bills on time. This is why Capgemini's sudden departure is so significant. The £20 billion pie hasn't shrunk, but there's one less mouth to feed. The business doesn’t simply vanish, it gets reallocated amongst the remaining members of the club.