Peter is acknowledged in the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) community as a national expert in governmental contracting for design, construction, design-build, construction management, and construction management at risk. He has managed the organization, procurement, and promotional response to major sales campaigns to federal agencies including the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, General Services Administration, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the U.S. Postal Service.

Together with his Associates, The Downes Company's expertise includes monitoring federal procurement programs, negotiating A/E and construction general condition contracts; developing A/E fee estimates; proposal management of RFP packages; negotiating subcontracts for project management contracts; preparing subcontracting plans; and auditing general and administrative costs, overhead, direct and indirect costs, fringe benefits, and profit.