At RELI Group, we believe that government solutions should do more than meet technical specifications—they should serve a higher purpose. That belief is at the heart of how Sarah Sanchez, our Vice President of Digital Services, defines “purpose-driven solutions.” In a recent appearance on The Peel Podcast by OrangeSlices AI, Sarah shared her perspective with host Shelley McGuire on what it means to build solutions that align with agency missions, optimize public value and remain resilient for the future.
What Does “Purpose-Driven” Really Mean?
For Sarah, purpose-driven solutions are not just about solving a problem—they’re about understanding the mission behind the problem. It’s a mindset shift from transactional delivery to transformational outcomes.
“We’re here to support the agency’s mission—not just their current state, but their future state too,” she explains. “That means being intentional about how we design, configure, and deliver technology and services that have a meaningful, measurable impact.”
That intention begins with stewardship. As Sarah puts it, purpose-driven government contracting means delivering maximum value for taxpayer dollars. It also requires acknowledging the wide spectrum of users—from digital natives to late adopters—and adapting to their needs as technologies evolve.
Why This Matters in Today’s Government Contracting Landscape
The government contracting environment has changed dramatically in recent years. Before 2025, much of the landscape was siloed and tactical. Agencies often told contractors exactly what to build—leaving little room for innovation or agility. But now, with efforts to centralize acquisition and reduce redundancy, the expectations of contractors are evolving.
“Industry can’t sit back and wait for detailed requirements anymore,” Sarah notes. “We have to be agile, knowledgeable, and proactive. It’s our job to understand what tools the agency already has, how we can align with them, and where we can drive value through smarter integration and configuration.”
She points to a recent Executive Order emphasizing Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions over custom builds. That shift demands that contractors not only understand agency missions but also bring forward tools that are scalable, cost-effective and mission-ready—with the ability to configure for each agency’s unique needs.
From Data to Insight: Real-World Purpose in Action
One powerful example Sarah shared comes from RELI Group’s work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). In a program aimed at improving cost-effective care, RELI leverages health economists, analysts and clinical experts to connect the dots between cost, services and outcomes. The approach blends the right people, processes and technologies to support better decisions, better care and better value.
As new mandates around data sharing between agencies come into play, the potential for purpose-driven solutions only grows. Consider the health data held across HHS, CMS, Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. When combined and analyzed with purpose, this data holds immense potential to drive policy and improve lives.
What Government Contractors Should Keep, Stop and Start Doing
Sarah offered a candid call to action for fellow contractors:
- Stop relying on custom software development when COTS tools can deliver greater efficiency.
- Stop expecting agencies to define every detail—bring innovation and domain-specific ideas forward.
- Keep grounding every solution in a deep understanding of the agency’s mission and future direction.
- Start leveraging the rich datasets and technologies already available to uncover new insights and improve service delivery.
Contractors should define their own north star and use it to guide every interaction, engagement and solution they deliver to government partners.
What’s Next: Trends Fueling Purpose-Driven Innovation
Two emerging trends will continue pushing this approach forward:
- Cybersecurity with Human Insight
Behavior-based security is gaining traction. Instead of relying solely on tech safeguards, how do we make users the strongest part of a security strategy? Purpose-driven solutions ask these questions and build training and infrastructure that strengthens human behavior as a defense mechanism.
- AI with Intention
The rise of artificial intelligence creates new opportunities—but also new responsibilities. We must be intentional about the questions we ask and the outcomes we pursue. The real value of AI will come from its ability to deliver insights that align with—and accelerate—agency missions.
Sarah’s message is clear: purpose is not just a nice-to-have in government contracting—it’s a must-have. As agencies face evolving mandates, expanding datasets and emerging technologies, contractors must become proactive problem solvers, mission-minded partners and trusted stewards of public investment.
At RELI Group, we’re proud to walk that path with our clients every day.
