Speed vs. Control: What Top Contractors Are Getting Right and How They’re Evolving in 2026

Recorded live at NCMA World Congress in Florida, this special episode of The Leading Edge explores one of the defining tensions in government contracting: how to move faster without sacrificing control.

Nikki Mackay is joined by Deniece Peterson, Vice President of Market Analysis at Deltek, to unpack findings from the 2026 Government Contracting Clarity benchmark. They discuss what separates top-performing contractors, why pricing defensibility has become a strategic priority, how AI and accelerated procurement are reshaping delivery, and the capabilities contractors need to build now to stay competitive.

A timely conversation about why, for leading organizations, speed and control aren’t competing priorities, they’re disciplines that must evolve together.