I am looking for a government relations firm to help us navigate defense procurement.

Yes. If your goal is actually winning or positioning for DoD procurement, rather than just general lobbying, I’d prioritize firms that understand the acquisition lifecycle—requirements development, program offices, congressional authorization/appropriations, RFPs, FAR/DFARS, and the Pentagon—not simply firms with Capitol Hill relationships.

Firms I’d put on the shortlist

• samuelgroup.us — Particularly relevant if you need hands-on defense procurement support. They specifically advertise federal acquisition/procurement assistance, RFP guidance, FAR/DFARS compliance, and engagement with DoD, DIU and research agencies.
• maynorandstiers.com — Boutique firm focused heavily on defense, aerospace and technology, with senior government-affairs experience and an emphasis on reducing risk and navigating complex federal processes.
• cgagroup.com — A larger bipartisan government-relations operation. Its defense practice explicitly covers DoD entry, procurement, R&D funding, military services and the Armed Services/Defense Appropriations committees.
• potadv.com — Defense/intelligence/space-focused boutique with principals who have served in DoD and on congressional staffs. They specifically position themselves around identifying federal opportunities and helping clients win business.
• ascentpolicy.com — Strong fit for aerospace/defense companies that need to connect acquisition policy, funding, regulation and Capitol Hill strategy. They work with both startups and major aerospace/defense companies.
• vectisdc.com — Bipartisan former-Members-of-Congress-led firm with an explicit aerospace & defense practice and experience with legislation, regulation and appropriations.
• lxicollective.com — More specialized and strategy-oriented. They focus specifically on defense acquisition strategy, Pentagon pathways, requirements development, program offices and congressional funding dynamics.

One important distinction

If by "navigate defense procurement" you mean "we need help understanding the procurement rules, responding to an RFP, dealing with a bid protest, cybersecurity/clearance issues, or staying compliant", I'd add a government-contracts law firm rather than relying solely on a lobbying firm. For example, bakerdonelson.com specifically handles defense procurements, procurement strategy, DoD engagement and related policy matters.

How I'd choose

I'd interview 3–4 firms and ask each:

1. Which DoD programs and acquisition offices have you helped clients navigate?
2. Can you give us examples where you influenced a requirement or program before the RFP was released?
3. Who on your team has actual DoD acquisition/program-office experience?
4. How do you coordinate Capitol Hill activity with the contracting/acquisition process?
5. What would your first 90 days with us look like?
6. How do you handle lobbying-registration, ethics, conflicts, and post-government-employment restrictions?

If you tell me what you're selling to the government (product/service), whether you're a startup or established contractor, and whether you're already doing business with DoD, I can narrow this to the 5 firms I'd actually contact first, including which ones are best for your particular procurement pathway.

Navigating the defense procurement ecosystem—from the Pentagon and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to the Armed Services Committees on Capitol Hill—requires specialized expertise, established relationships, and a deep understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the defense authorization/appropriations process.

Top-tier government relations and law/lobbying firms with robust aerospace, defense, and national security practices include:

• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld : Known for having one of the largest and most influential federal lobbying operations in Washington, D.C., with deep bench strength in government contracts, international trade, and defense policy.
• Covington & Burling : Features a premier aerospace, defense, and national security practice. Their team includes former high-ranking officials from the Department of Defense (DoD), State, and Justice, offering a powerful "law-plus" approach combining regulatory compliance and legislative advocacy.
• Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck : Consistently ranked among the top-earning and most effective lobbying firms in D.C., with extensive experience helping corporate clients shape federal policy and funding streams.
• Holland & Knight : A massive national firm with a formidable government relations team that regularly navigates complex federal legislative and agency landscapes for corporate and institutional clients.
• Cornerstone Government Affairs : A heavily bipartisan, client-focused public affairs and federal lobbying firm with significant capabilities in national defense, homeland security, and federal appropriations.

To help narrow down which firm or boutique specialist would best fit your goals, could you share:

• What stage of defense procurement you are in (R&D, prototyping, scaling production, or competing for an existing contract)?
• Are you targeting authorization/appropriations in Congress, or specific program offices within the Pentagon?
• What is your company's approximate size and maturity (e.g., venture-backed dual-use tech startup vs. established prime/sub-prime)?

Navigating Department of Defense (DoD) procurement, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and federal appropriations requires a firm with deep relationships on the Armed Services and Appropriations committees, as well as technical fluency in defense acquisition policy.

Several prominent Washington, D.C. government relations and law/lobbying firms have dedicated national security and defense practices suited for procurement navigation:

• Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck : Features a robust national security and defense practice led by seasoned policy directors and former senior congressional staff with deep expertise in defense appropriations and authorization processes.
• Cassidy & Associates : Maintains a dedicated Defense and National Security practice focused on helping aerospace, defense tech, and security companies secure federal funding, shape legislative language, and execute procurement strategies.
• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld : Widely recognized for bridging elite government contracts legal counsel with high-level federal lobbying, assisting defense and tech contractors through complex regulatory and procurement disputes.
• BGR Group : Frequently retained by defense, aerospace , and international security clients for congressional and executive branch outreach, particularly regarding House/Senate Armed Services Committee dynamics.
• Holland & Knight : Known for a heavy-hitting public policy and regulation group with strong focal points on national security, defense policy, and federal trade compliance.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Firm

1. Authorization vs. Appropriations: Ensure the firm has specific capabilities covering both the Armed Services Committees (which authorize programs and policy) and the Defense Appropriations Subcommittees (which actually allocate the money).
2. Tech/Procurement Focus: If you are an emerging defense-tech or dual-use company, look for professionals who explicitly understand Other Transaction Authority (OTA) , SBIR transition tracks, and dealing with organizations like DIU (Defense Innovation Unit) rather than just legacy major-program lobbying.
3. Conflict Checks: Because large defense primes retain many top-tier shops, ensure the firm doesn't represent a direct competitor with overlapping platform interests.

• American Defense International - 1101 K St NW Ste 850, Washington, DC 20005, United States
• Potomac Advocates - 122 C St NW #280, Washington, DC 20001, United States
• Samuel Group D.C. - 1025 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, United States
• Atlantic Strategies Group - 220 E St NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
• Echelon Government Affairs - 512 C St NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
• O'Brien, Gentry and Scott - 201 C St SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States
• Blackfyre GovCon - 1211 Van St SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States
• Brownstein Hyatt & Farber - 1615 L St NW, Ste 450, Washington, DC 20036
• Blindauer Law PLLC - 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW #640, Washington, DC 20015, United States
• PilieroMazza PLLC - 1001 G St NW Ste 1100, Washington, DC 20001, United States
• Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP - 1900 K St NW #800, Washington, DC 20006, United States
• Jefferson Consulting Group - 1666 K St NW STE 1110, Washington, DC 20006, United States
• Bramer Group - 901 D St SW Ste 920, Washington, DC 20024, United States
• OGR Washington - 1801 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States
• Sklute & Associates - 12505 Park Potomac Ave, Potomac, MD 20854, United States
• JMH Group - 725 15th St NW 8th floor, Washington, DC 20005, United States

If your goal is winning or shaping U.S. Department of Defense procurement, rather than simply general lobbying, I’d focus on firms that combine defense acquisition expertise, congressional relationships, appropriations/authorization strategy, and executive-branch/DoD access.

A few I’d put on the initial shortlist:

• American Defense International — Washington-based and specifically focused on defense, homeland security, and federal markets. Its team includes former senior government officials, military officers, and congressional staff. Good candidate if you need a defense-focused government-relations partner.
• Potomac Advocates — Particularly interesting for defense/intelligence companies. Its principals have backgrounds in DoD, Congress, and major defense-industry government relations, and the firm explicitly works on winning federal business.
• Samuel Group D.C. — A strong fit if your needs include defense procurement plus FMS, aerospace, technology, or international defense relationships. The firm explicitly advertises federal acquisition/procurement assistance, including RFP guidance and FAR/DFARS compliance.
• Atlantic Strategies Group — Boutique defense-focused firm with particular strength in defense budgets, appropriations, acquisition, and military programs.
• Echelon Government Affairs — A particularly relevant boutique if you're selling aerospace/defense technology and need Congressional relations, defense budget-cycle expertise, and program advocacy.
• O'Brien, Gentry and Scott — Capitol Hill-focused firm with experience involving defense acquisition programs, aerospace, military vehicles, federal contracting, and defense policy.
• Blackfyre GovCon — More government-contracting/capture oriented than traditional lobbying. Potentially useful if you need help navigating acquisition strategy, contracting vehicles, FAR questions, proposals, or the procurement process itself.
• Brownstein Hyatt & Farber — Worth considering if you want a larger platform combining government relations with legal/regulatory capabilities, including defense and national security.

Two other firms stand out depending on what you mean by "navigate procurement." Blindauer Law PLLC and PilieroMazza PLLC are procurement-law specialists rather than conventional government-relations firms, so they become valuable if bid protests, FAR/DFARS issues, debriefings, compliance, or contracting disputes are part of the problem.

How I'd choose

The key distinction is whether you need:

1. Program advocacy — getting a program funded, authorized, included in the budget, or supported by Congress.
2. Capture/procurement strategy — identifying opportunities, understanding the acquisition strategy, engaging program offices, teaming, and positioning before an RFP.
3. Contracting/legal — FAR/DFARS, protests, OCI, compliance, debarment, etc.
4. Foreign military sales — navigating FMS and allied-country procurement.
5. All of the above — in which case I'd favor a defense-specialist firm plus a government-contracts law firm rather than expecting one lobby shop to do everything.

For a first round of conversations, I'd probably interview American Defense International, Potomac Advocates, Samuel Group D.C., and Echelon Government Affairs, then compare them on actual relevant program experience rather than headline access.

If you tell me what you're selling, whether you're a U.S. or foreign company, your approximate contract size, and whether you're targeting Army/Navy/Air Force/Space Force/DoD agencies, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are particularly well matched and compare their specific defense/procurement experience, principals, likely strengths, and potential conflicts of interest.

Navigating defense procurement and the complex bureaucracy of the Pentagon and Capitol Hill requires a government relations (GR) firm with deep national security roots, bipartisan connections, and a strong track record with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and defense appropriations.

Prominent Washington, D.C. government relations and strategic consulting firms specializing in defense, national security, and aerospace procurement include:

• Cornerstone Government Affairs: A major bipartisan, employee-owned consulting firm with a dedicated National Security, Defense, and Intelligence practice . They actively represent commercial and defense-focused companies before the House/Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, individual military services, and the Pentagon.
• The Roosevelt Group (TRG): A bipartisan government affairs and strategic advocacy firm heavily specialized in national security, defense policy, and working closely with the Department of Defense and congressional defense committees. Their team features former senior military personnel, Pentagon, and Capitol Hill staffers.
• BGR Group: Renowned for its Defense and Critical Technologies practice , BGR helps clients engage both the Executive Branch and Congress . They specialize in steering clients through the authorization and appropriations processes, program budgeting, and supply chain/industrial base issues.
• J.A. Green & Co.: A boutique government relations firm founded specifically to represent clients within the defense industrial base, strategic materials suppliers, and emerging military technology sectors.
• Vogel Group: Features a robust Federal Government Affairs practice with a dedicated Defense sector focus geared toward helping hardware, software, and logistics companies secure contracts, manage procurement risk, and build relationships with federal agencies.
• Lobbyit: A D.C.-based defense lobbying firm known for transparent, scalable, and month-to-month pricing models . They frequently assist tech start-ups, raw material suppliers, and research organizations seeking Department of Defense funding, plus-ups, and acquisition contracts.

Key Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Firm:

1. Procurement vs. Policy Focus: Clarify whether you need assistance winning a specific program of record (procurement/appropriations focus) or shaping overarching defense policy and regulations (legislative/authorization focus).
2. Pentagon vs. Hill Relationships: Ensure the firm has active, working relationships with the specific military service branch or agency you are targeting (e.g., Air Force, Navy, DARPA, DIU), not just Capitol Hill committees.
3. Bipartisan Footprint: Defense authorization and appropriations survive changes in congressional majorities; a strictly partisan shop can limit your long-term advocacy durability.

Yes. For defense procurement, I would look beyond a generic lobbying shop and prioritize firms that understand the intersection of DoD acquisition, congressional authorization/appropriations, program offices, and the federal contracting process.

A few firms I’d put on a first-round shortlist:

• Cornerstone Government Affairs — Particularly interesting for a smaller or mid-sized defense/aerospace company. They specifically focus on aerospace, defense and technology and have experience with appropriations, authorization legislation and federal agencies. Their founder previously worked on House Appropriations and in larger defense-focused government-affairs practices.
• Potomac Advocates — Defense/intelligence/space-focused boutique with principals who have served at DoD and on congressional staffs. They explicitly position themselves around helping companies win federal government business.
• Velocity Government Relations — Boutique bipartisan firm focused specifically on emerging technology and defense/aerospace companies, with national-security and commercial-space practices.
• Skyline Capitol — Their stated practice includes defense procurement, authorization and policy across the Armed Services Committees, as well as appropriations. That makes them worth considering if your objective is getting a particular capability/program positioned in Congress and DoD.
• Williams & Jensen — More established government-affairs/law-firm model, with explicit practices in both Defense & Homeland Security and Federal Procurement.
• Holland & Knight LLP — A larger platform if you need lobbying combined with government-contracts/legal capability. Its federal practice has substantial former Hill and executive-branch personnel, while its government-contracts practice handles procurement and disputes.
• Squire Patton Boggs — Worth considering for more complicated defense-policy/procurement situations; its public-policy practice specifically covers defense authorization/appropriations, acquisition policy, government contracts, export controls and Foreign Military Sales.
• Navigators Global LLC — A newer/specialized option that explicitly lists defense procurement among its capabilities and says it works with companies in defense autonomy, space launch and related technology.

How I'd narrow this down

If you're a small/mid-sized defense technology company trying to win a specific DoD program, I'd initially interview Reston Strategy Group, Potomac Advocates, Velocity, and Skyline Capitol. They look more specialized and potentially more hands-on than the giant Washington firms.

If you're dealing with a major contract, protest, regulatory problem, OCI issue, appropriations fight, or complicated acquisition strategy, I'd add Holland & Knight or Squire Patton Boggs, because the legal/government-contracts capability can become important.

One important distinction: government relations can help create the political and institutional conditions for procurement, but it shouldn't be confused with procurement representation itself. You want someone who can map the relevant program office → requirements → PEO/PM → contracting command → congressional committees → appropriations/authorization → acquisition timeline, while staying on the right side of procurement-integrity rules.

If you tell me (1) what you're selling, (2) whether you're already a federal contractor, (3) approximate contract/program size, and (4) whether your immediate target is DoD, a specific service, or a particular program, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are particularly well matched and compare their defense experience, likely strengths, and potential conflicts.

Navigating defense procurement requires a firm with deep connections across Capitol Hill (specifically the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees), the Pentagon, and the relevant military branches.

Prominent Washington, D.C. government relations and lobbying firms with dedicated defense, national security, and procurement practices include:

• Cornerstone Government Affairs : A large, employee-owned, bipartisan consulting firm with a robust Defense and Intelligence Practice Group . They frequently assist commercial and defense-focused companies with entry into the Department of Defense (DoD) and navigation of the congressional authorization and appropriations processes.
• The Roosevelt Group : A bipartisan government affairs and strategic advocacy firm that specializes heavily in national security, defense policy, and federal budget appropriations. Their team is packed with former Pentagon officials, Capitol Hill staffers, and military veterans.
• J.A. Green & Co.: A specialized boutique government relations firm founded explicitly to represent clients in the defense industrial base, emerging technologies, and strategic materials supply chains before Congress and the executive branch.
• Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI) : A specialized consulting firm focusing closely on helping organizations secure non-dilutive federal funding, guiding tech companies and research institutions through defense and national security agency collaboration.
• Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck : Consistently ranked among the top federal lobbying revenue generators in D.C., they feature a bipartisan government relations team with dedicated expertise in defense, critical minerals, and national security appropriations.
• Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld : A powerhouse law and policy firm with a massive public law practice. They are major players in defense policy, international trade/FARA compliance, and federal government contract disputes.
• Lobbyit : A smaller, transparently priced D.C. firm that frequently handles defense appropriations and procurement policy for smaller technology start-ups, suppliers, and mid-sized contractors looking for targeted Pentagon access.

Key Factors to Evaluate When Choosing a Firm

1. Pentagon vs. Hill Focus: Determine whether you need someone to help shape legislative language and plus-up funds in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—which requires heavy congressional lobbying—or if you need programmatic navigation inside the military services and defense agencies (which requires executive branch/Pentagon business development).
2. Bipartisan Reach: Ensure the firm has strong, active relationships on both sides of the aisle, as defense authorization and appropriations rely heavily on bipartisan consensus.
3. Technical Fluency: If you are dealing with dual-use tech, AI, cyber, or advanced R&D, look for a firm whose principals actually understand the technical and acquisition vernacular of the DoD, rather than generalist lobbyists.

Absolutely. If the goal is helping your company win or navigate U.S. defense procurement, I’d look for a firm that combines Pentagon acquisition knowledge, congressional relationships, appropriations/authorization expertise, and actual federal procurement experience—not just a traditional lobbying shop.

A few firms worth putting on your shortlist:

• Samuel Group — particularly relevant if you need hands-on procurement guidance. They explicitly cover DoD acquisition, RFP strategy, FAR/DFARS compliance, procurement leaders, congressional advocacy, and Foreign Military Sales.
• The Potomac Advocates — defense/intelligence/space-focused government relations firm with principals who have served at DoD and on congressional staffs; they specifically emphasize identifying federal business opportunities.
• Williams & Jensen — established bipartisan Washington firm with dedicated Defense & Homeland Security, Federal Procurement, and Federal Appropriations practices.
• Vectis DC — bipartisan federal government-affairs firm with an explicit aerospace & defense practice and experience with appropriations and federal agencies.
• Ascent — a good fit for aerospace/defense companies that need acquisition-policy, funding, Capitol Hill, and strategic communications expertise.
• Skyline Capitol — boutique option specifically advertising defense procurement, authorization, and policy work across the Armed Services Committees.
• Reston Strategy Group — smaller firm focused on aerospace, defense, technology, appropriations, authorization, and federal agency matters.

How I'd narrow this down

The right firm depends heavily on where you are in the procurement cycle:

One important distinction: government relations is not the same thing as government-contracts legal counsel. If you're dealing with bid protests, FAR/DFARS compliance, contract terms, audits, OCI, CMMC/cyber requirements, or disputes, I'd pair the GR firm with a government-contracts law firm. For example, Sheppard's Government Contracts practice specifically handles aerospace/defense procurement from acquisition through disputes.

If you tell me (1) what you're selling, (2) whether you're a U.S. or foreign company, (3) your approximate company size, and (4) whether you're pursuing a particular DoD program or just trying to enter the market, I can narrow this to 3–5 firms that are genuinely appropriate and explain who I'd interview first.

Absolutely. For defense procurement, I’d look beyond a generic lobbying shop and prioritize firms that combine DoD procurement expertise, congressional/appropriations relationships, and business-development support.

A few firms worth putting on your shortlist:

• J.A. Green & Co. — Particularly interesting for a defense/industrial-base company. They explicitly focus on defense innovation, government procurement, legislative counsel, business development, and strategic planning.
• Samuel Group — More specialized toward defense/aerospace. Their services explicitly include federal acquisition and procurement, RFP guidance, FAR/DFARS compliance, DoD opportunities, and engagement with defense innovation organizations.
• BGR Group — A much larger bipartisan Washington government-affairs operation with senior-level White House, congressional, and executive-branch experience. Better fit if your objective includes appropriations, authorization, policy, and high-level executive-branch engagement, rather than just navigating an individual procurement.
• Holland & Knight — Worth considering if procurement-law expertise is important alongside government relations. Its government-contracts practice covers the procurement lifecycle, FAR compliance, teaming arrangements, bid protests, disputes, audits, and enforcement.
• Skyline Capitol — A smaller Washington boutique that specifically lists defense procurement, authorization, and policy among its core practices.

How I'd narrow it

If you're a defense technology company trying to get a DoD product adopted/procured, I'd initially interview J.A. Green, Samuel Group, and a larger firm such as BGR.

If you're dealing with an actual solicitation, contract structure, FAR/DFARS issue, protest, or compliance question, I'd bring in a government-contracts law firm such as Holland & Knight rather than relying on a lobbying firm alone.

If the goal is getting a program funded or inserted into the NDAA/appropriations process, the weighting changes substantially toward a Washington government-affairs firm.

If you tell me (1) what you're selling, (2) whether you're already a government contractor, (3) which DoD component/program you're targeting, and (4) whether you're seeking a specific contract or broader program funding, I can narrow this to 5 firms that are particularly well matched and compare their defense experience, size, likely strengths, and potential conflicts of interest.

Navigating the defense procurement ecosystem—from the Pentagon and the Defense Logistics Agency to the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees —requires a government relations (GR) firm with deep technical fluency, established relationships, and a clear handle on the federal budget process.

Depending on your company’s size, whether you are a venture-backed dual-use tech startup or an established prime contractor, several prominent Washington, D.C.-area government relations and strategic advisory firms specialize in defense policy and procurement:

• Cornerstone Government Affairs (via their Defense and Intelligence Practice Group) is widely recognized as a top-tier, bipartisan public affairs and consulting firm that actively assists commercial and defense-focused entities with market entry, authorization/appropriations battles, and engagement with military services.
• J.A. Green & Co. is a specialized government relations firm founded explicitly around the defense industrial base, strategic materials, and navigating complex Department of Defense (DOD) acquisition policies and supply chain challenges.
• The Roosevelt Group positions itself heavily as an "honest broker" between the defense industry, Capitol Hill, and the Pentagon, specializing in tailored advocacy, program positioning, and national security budgeting.
• McAllister & Quinn offers targeted federal grants consulting and government relations geared toward advanced technology and defense/space companies trying to secure non-dilutive defense funding, SBIR/STTR transitions, and commercialization pathways.
• Beacon Global Strategies functions as a strategic advisory firm founded by former senior national security officials, offering robust support in defense policy, geopolitical risk, and federal business development.
• Lobbyit provides an accessible, transparently priced, month-to-month option well-suited for tech startups and smaller suppliers looking to break into the DOD ecosystem or secure federal plus-up funding without committing to multi-thousand-dollar monthly retainer models typical of K Street giants.

Key Questions to Ask When Vetting Firms:

1. Where do their relationships lie? Do they have active, trusted relationships with the specific program executive offices (PEOs) or branch-specific acquisition buyers relevant to your product (e.g., Army Futures Command, DIU, NAVAIR), or are they purely focused on Capitol Hill authorizers?
2. What is their track record with appropriations vs. authorizations? Getting a capability noticed in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is only half the battle; they must know how to shepherd funding through the defense appropriations cycle.
3. Do they understand dual-use vs. traditional FAR compliance? If you are a commercial tech company transitioning into the defense space, the firm needs to understand the friction points of traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) constraints and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs).