Points That Move an Arlington Price
- Contract history with each agency or prime, and when each one ends
- Whether key staff hold clearances the work depends on
- How much revenue rides on your top few clients
- Leases and Virginia local accounts that are current
Work That Clusters Near the Pentagon
With the Pentagon in the county, a lot of local firms work on defense. Many are federal contractors in engineering, IT, cybersecurity, program support and training.
Rosslyn and Ballston hold office towers full of consulting, tech and professional firms. National Landing, where Amazon built its second headquarters, adds more tech and services.
Around them are the companies every dense county needs: restaurants, fitness studios, cleaning and building services, couriers and repair shops.
Buyers Who Look Here
Larger government services firms often buy smaller contractors. They want past performance, agency relationships and cleared people they can't hire fast on their own.
Private equity groups look at the larger firms, and they often want the seller to stay on for a while after closing. Local operators and first time owners with SBA financing buy the service and retail companies.
If your company works for the government, read our page on selling a federal contractor, and if it does security work, the one on cybersecurity firms.
Three Things Contractors Learn Late
First, in an asset sale, government contracts don't move to the buyer on their own. The contracting agency has to approve a novation.
Second, a company sold with small business set aside contracts usually must recertify its size after the deal. That can end its eligibility for new set aside work.
Third, a change of ownership in a cleared company must be reported to the government's security office and reviewed. A buyer can't simply take over the clearances. Your attorney handles the details on all three.
Virginia Offices, Not DC Offices
A company based in Arlington files with Virginia, not with DC. The Virginia Department of Taxation handles state taxes. The State Corporation Commission handles entity filings. The Virginia Employment Commission runs unemployment insurance.
Locally, the Arlington County commissioner of revenue handles the business license, known as BPOL, and the business tangible personal property tax.
Your CPA and attorney handle the rates, deadlines and closing steps. DC filings matter only if the company also operates in the District, such as staff or an office there.
Where to Begin
Most sales take 7 to 9 months from hiring a broker to closing. A price range first helps you decide whether to go now or prepare for a year. Our valuation page explains how buyers reach theirs.
For a free read on your company, use the form or call (202) 555-0174.