This is a myth that’s exaggerated by specific anecdotes around sole-source (which is where you work with the govt and they put out a notice saying they intend t

This is a myth that’s exaggerated by specific anecdotes around sole-source (which is where you work with the govt and they put out a notice saying they intend to go with you). Because of there not being constraints on time there and them needing to allow others to protest this makes timelines highly random. Most are not like this, usually the government puts out solicitations (RFI/Q/Ps). They have a set deadline by which they have to answer your questions, a set deadline for bids, and a set deadline (usually 30d) by which they have to select someone. You can also game this by emailing people around september, which is when they are getting ready to close their budgets. They need to spend any surplus, and I’ve seen many prominent civil agencies (won’t name and shame) throw around $1-2mm on a same-day contract with vague constraints.