Law360, New York ( May 17, 2016, 11:25 AM EDT) -- Government contracting has never been easy. But occasionally it is exciting, at least at the outset: Figuring out how to prepare the most competitive proposal and landing a significant contract are memorable achievements (assuming one survives the bid protest). The work also can be satisfying: Getting the customer what it needs, when it needs it, and doing this well can make a difference in peoples' lives. Indeed, it may save lives, whether one is delivering health care services or military equipment. Patriotism is an underappreciated and real motivator for many contractors, often more so than profits, which — unbeknownst to the general public — are slim enough under the weight of this regulated industry. Now, though, they are taking all fun out of contracting....