9. Federal Solution Providers Bulk Up To Address More Complex Challenges

Some of the largest IT players in the U.S. government space have brought their capabilities together to better address emerging security threats and a growing acceptance of off-premise technologies.

Groundwork was laid for the creation of the world's largest pure-play U.S. government solution provider in January when Lockheed Martin announced plans to merge its $4.7 billion government IT business with $5 billion powerhouse Leidos. The combined company is expected to be better positioned to win network modernization deals and aviation modernization contracts. 

And CACI International, No. 17 on the CRN SP 500, closed its $550 million acquisition of the government services group of L-3 Communications Holdings in February. L-3 had a significant footprint in the intelligence space, where funding has been increased to put a single IT infrastructure in place that will allow information to move security across various agencies.