Defense consulting companies operate in one of the most regulated, scrutinized environments in the world. Success isn’t accidental — it’s engineered. Over decades, federal contractors have learned hard lessons that newer entrants ignore at their peril.  Lesson #1 — Compliance Is Not Optional Compliance failures aren’t setbacks — they’re disqualifiers. Security, accounting systems, and regulatory readiness must exist before  you pursue work. Lesson #2 — Past Performance Is a S