Senior Engineer need resources on helping my company acquire a small firm

I'm a Sr. Engineer at mid size web development firm. We assist clients with lots of different technology stacks and solutions, but regarding one particular set of technologies we've had problems hiring, staffing, keeping engineers, growing our team, and getting quality output.

We recently lost a bid for some work to a much smaller, less mature company who happens to have really high competency in this one particular stack.

I've seen other firms have great success acquiring small firms like this in what is essentially a talent acquisition.

I know absolutely nothing about the factors that go into acquiring a small firm and I was wondering if anyone here has any advice or good resources about the process. I want to educate myself and if this comes up, perhaps be involved even though its outside the realm of my normal expertise.

Thanks!