As federal reductions have caused uncertainties for federal contractors, one Alexandria-based firm feels confident about its future.
Systems Planning & Analysis, located in the West End near the Mark Center, has been headquartered in the city since its 1972 founding. Its more than 3,000 employees worldwide work with clients from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, federal intelligence and other agencies to deliver mission engineering, advanced analytics, operational insights, and technology solutions.
In the spring, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments reported the D.C. region’s federal workforce was down to its lowest level since 1990 due to reductions pursued by the Trump administration. Data from the Brookings Institute’s DMV Monitor shows that federal funding obligations for contracts were down 13% in Alexandria from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025.
SPA has been able to stay afloat in Alexandria.
Michelle Howell, chief people officer at SPA, says the federal contracting environment has evolved “as priorities, budgets, and mission requirements change.”
“Organizations across the industry are navigating that uncertainty while continuing to focus on delivering critical capabilities for government clients,” Howell said. “Throughout our history, SPA has adapted alongside our clients’ evolving needs. Our focus remains on delivering technical excellence, investing in our workforce, and advancing the capabilities our clients rely on to address complex national security challenges.”
Last year, SPA had announced it was expanding its workforce and Alexandria headquarters with help from state economic development grants. With a commitment to add 1,200 jobs over five years, the defense contractor plans to bolster its Alexandria workforce by 494, and its Fairfax County office will add 714 new jobs.
Recruitment remains competitive in the engineering, software, artificial intelligence, data science and other tech fields. Howell said job applicants for contractor positions consider pay, opportunities to grow, strong leadership, flexibility and work with a lasting impact.
Factors that have helped support SPA’s competitiveness among applicants were being named among WTOP Top Workplaces for 13 consecutive years and receiving first-time Cultural Excellence Awards from Top Workplaces on professional development, employee appreciation and employee well-being.
“We continue investing in professional development, leadership development, career mobility, and employee well-being because those investments strengthen our culture and position us to attract and retain exceptional talent,” Howell said.
SPA’s strategic location near the Department of Defense’s Mark Center and other government clients continues to be an asset to the defense contractor. It believes Alexandria is well positioned to see growth of additional contractors and companies working in defense, engineering, software, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
“Alexandria combines proximity to federal agencies with a highly educated workforce, a collaborative business community, and a growing technology ecosystem,” Howell said. “As demand evolves across national security and advanced technology, we believe the city is well positioned to continue attracting innovative companies and highly skilled talent.”
