Charles Lyons-Burt
Jay Colavita is living the GovCon dream. After learning everything about the contracting world in a few increasingly important roles at major organizations like IBM’s federal segment, he began his own company, the Leesburg, Virginia-based IT services firm Vertosoft, in 2016. The company has become extremely successful given its small-to-mid size and humble beginnings. It was just named Federal Partner of the Year by Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), a nice recognition of Colavita’s team’s efforts to bring modernized tools to its federal clientele.
In a recent Spotlight interview with ExecutiveBiz, Colavita credited the latter achievement to the Vertosoft workforce’s “dedication and strategic execution” and shared with us his thoughts on transformative emerging technologies, acquisition compliance and his advice for GovCon companies trying to find the same success that he has tapped.
ExecutiveBiz: Which emerging technologies do you anticipate will have the greatest impact on the federal landscape in the next few years?
Colavita: I would have to say artificial intelligence and machine learning will have a significant impact, transforming how agencies analyze data, automate tasks and make decisions. I also see zero trust cybersecurity, edge computing and quantum technologies playing increasingly critical roles—especially in the defense and intelligence space. These innovations will enable faster, more secure and mission-aligned operations across government.
EBiz: Can you speak about the importance of software modernization and its role in the country’s efforts to sustain technological dominance?
Colavita: Software modernization is critical to maintaining our national technological edge. Legacy systems can be costly, vulnerable and inflexible. By modernizing, agencies can adopt cloud-native architectures and scalable platforms that evolve with mission needs. At Vertosoft, we help our partners bring modern, secure and compliant solutions to the federal space—accelerating transformation and mission success.
EBiz: As a federal contractor, how do you ensure your team follows U.S. acquisition policies and processes while integrating your commercial capabilities and technologies — without sacrificing the quality of your work?
Colavita: Compliance is foundational at Vertosoft. Our team is trained to navigate the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and agency-specific requirements with precision. We pair that with a deep understanding of commercial innovation, ensuring we deliver secure, high-quality solutions that meet federal standards. Our approach balances regulatory rigor with commercial agility—delivering value without compromise.
EBiz: What advice do you have for GovCon companies trying to move up in today’s market and increase profitability?
Colavita: Focus on value, not volume. Understand your customer’s mission and tailor your offerings accordingly. Build strong partnerships—whether with distributors like Vertosoft, original equipment manufacturers, or other contractors. And adopt a dual distribution strategy. Diversifying your go-to-market approach gives you flexibility, resilience and a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving procurement environment.
