Fairfax Deal Points to Sort Early
- Which contracts need agency approval to move to a buyer
- Whether your size status will survive the sale
- Who on staff holds the clearances and the client ties
- Whether you are in the county or the City of Fairfax, for local filings
- Three years of statements your CPA stands behind
County or City
Start with the address, because two places share the name. Fairfax County is the large county that includes Tysons. The City of Fairfax is a separate, smaller city surrounded by the county, and it is the county seat.
The difference matters for local taxes and licenses, which go to different offices. The sale itself works the same way in either one.
The Firms Here and the Buyers They Draw
Tysons and the rest of the county hold many federal contractors and tech firms. Think IT services, software, engineering, consulting, data and cybersecurity.
Buyers for those firms are often larger contractors who want past performance, cleared staff and a seat on a contract vehicle. Private equity groups also buy here, usually the larger firms with a team that runs without the founder.
The county also has plenty of companies that don't touch the government at all: builders and trades, medical and dental practices, schools and tutoring, auto services and distributors.
Local owners and first time buyers with SBA loans often buy these.
Where Contractor Deals Slow Down
Government contracts don't move to a buyer on their own in an asset sale. The contracting agency must approve a novation, and that takes time.
If you hold small business set aside contracts, the company usually must recertify its size after the deal, which can end its eligibility for new set aside work. A change of ownership in a cleared company must also be reported and reviewed.
Your attorney handles these steps. Our pages on federal contractors and cybersecurity firms explain what buyers look for.
Your Filings Stay in Virginia
A company based in Fairfax County or the City of Fairfax files with Virginia, not with DC.
The Virginia Department of Taxation handles state taxes, the State Corporation Commission handles entity filings, and the Virginia Employment Commission runs unemployment insurance.
The business license, called BPOL, and the business tangible personal property tax are local. In the City of Fairfax they go to the city's commissioner of revenue. Elsewhere in the county they go to the county's own tax office.
Your CPA and attorney handle the rates, deadlines and closing steps. DC filings apply only if the company also operates in the District.
Price First, Then Plans
Larger firms are priced on EBITDA, smaller ones on what one working owner takes home.
Customer concentration hurts. If your top few clients bring in more than about 15 to 20 percent of revenue, expect a lower offer or more of the price tied to results.
The valuation page shows how buyers reach a number.
To find out where your company stands, fill in the form or call (202) 555-0174.