To say the odds are stacked against small businesses that target federal government with IT products and services is a major understatement. Standard challenges that plague all contractors--long sales cycles, procurement red tape--are magnified, and "fair competition" suddenly seems more like a page out of David vs. Goliath. So when small businesses manage to succeed despite this, they deserve accolades.

Slide Show: Meet 5 VARs Who Are Beating the Odds