Getting Started in Government Contracting

Below is a basic outline to help in your decision to become a Government Contractor.

• Set your Business up and register with the government for contracting purposes.

• Learn the Language of the Government

• Determine your interest, the Niche, what is your market?

• Find Solicitations / Needs / Buyers

• Compile all Data relating to Solicitation / technical data, drawings, packing requirements etc.

• Find Partners / Vendors for the product you are dealing with.

• Request Quotes from your Sources. There is a technique to this.

• Send in Bid to Government.

• Perform Contract.

• Collect Money

• Close out Contract

• File and Keep records.

Below is an Online Step-by-Step Guide for the basic requirements / steps to help your business get started contracting with the government. The Federal Technology Center

1. Create a business plan

   • Need help?
     Contact a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SCORE: www.SCORE.org, or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): www.sba.gov/starting_business.
      

2. Get your Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S) Number

   • Call Dun & Bradstreet at 1.866.705.5711 and select the "Government Contractor" option to obtain your D-U-N-S Number. The process to obtain a D-U-N-S Number via phone takes about 10 minutes and is free of charge.
      

3. Research your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and U.S. Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes.

   • Go to the Bureau of the Census website:
     www.census.gov/epcd/naics07/index.html
     And look up all the NAICS/SIC codes that identify the types of contracts your business can perform.
      

   • Go to the SBA's table of Small Business Size Standards: www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage
     /serv_sstd_tablepdf.pdf, download the table, and match your NAICS codes with the matching size standard(s).
      

4. Set up Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) with your bank or financial institution.

   • You will need the EFT information to register your company in the Central Contractor's Registration (CCR) (step 5). For more in-depth information about EFT, go to www.ccr.gov/handbook.asp. (See the "Financial Information" section of the CCR Handbook.)
      

5. Register your company online in the Central Contractor's
   Registration (CCR): www.ccr.gov

   • We recommend you print out the entire CCR User's Guide for reference. For details on the information to gather before you register, see the section, "Information Needed to Register." If you have all the necessary information on hand, the online registration takes approximately one hour to complete, depending upon the size and complexity of your company. During the registration process, you will create your own Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN) in the CCR.
      

   • Complete your small business profile, called Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS). This site is used by government agencies and prime contractors to find small businesses that can meet their government contracting or subcontracting needs. Make sure your keywords and narrative make it easy to find you!
     Go to www.ccr.gov. Click on: "UPDATE or RENEW REGISTRATIONS" in the menu on the left. On the next screen select "I am not a U.S. Federal Government entity." and click "Continue." On the next screen, enter your DUNS and TPIN. Scroll to the bottom of the next page that comes up and select "Validate." The next page gives you access to the SBA Profile, where you can update your Dynamic Business Search. It may take 48-72 hours for the update to be completed.
      

   • Procure Government Codes that are used with the CCR registration and will be required of / or needed by your government business to find, understand and bid on government contracts.
     
     NOTE: You must select "Small Business" in the Corporate Information section (under the Socio-Economic heading) in CCR to gain access to the Dynamic Business Search.
      

6. Complete your Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA): https://orca.bpn.gov/

   • ORCA is an e-Government initiative that was designed by the Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE) to replace the paper based Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) process. Your CCR registration (see number five above) must be completed and accepted first. You will need your D-U-N-S Number and MPIN to login. Click on “Help” for the handbook and sample questionnaire.
      

7. Complete the Veterans Employment and Training Service Report
   (VETS-100):  https://vets100.vets.dol.gov/

   • Any entity who receives a contract(s) or subcontract(s) from the federal government in the amount of $100,000 or more, must file a VETS-100 Report on an annual basis. File your report online by scrolling to the bottom of the page and clicking "File VETS 100 Report Online." If this is your first time to file, click on https://vets100.vets.dol.gov/HowCompanyNumber.pdf to obtain a company number.

8. Apply for Certifications

   • Small Business Administration (SBA) Programs - For help with the SBA programs, register for one of our free Upcoming Classes

   • Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Program: https://eweb1.sba.gov/hubzone/internet/

   • 8(a) Business Development Program:
     www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/
     8abd_bdmis_user_guide.pdf

   • Service-Disabled Verteran-Owned Business (SDVOB): Ensure you have designated that you are an SDVOB in your CCR registration. Then register with the Veteran's Administration at www.vip.vetbiz.gov.

     • State of California Certifications

       1. Small Business Certification:
          www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/certapps.htm If you choose to apply online, select "apply online" and view the slide show provided at "Click here first!"

       2. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification:
          www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/smbus/dvbecert.htm Click "Certification Application" from the menu on the right. Then follow the instructions in 8.b.i. above.

     • California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program:

       • www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/

       California Public Utilities Commission Supplier Clearinghouse

       • www.asianinc.org
          

9. Search for Government Contracting Opportunities (Website Examples)
    

10. Sign up for a Bid-Matching Service

    • State of California Subscription Outreach Service(Free) -searches
      California contracting opportunities only Register at: www.eprocure.dgs.ca.gov

    • Federal Notices (greater than or equal to $25,000) - go to https://www.fbo.gov and create a user name and password. Once you have established a free account, you may create "Search Agents" that will generate free notices.

    • GovLink Bid-Matching ($199/year) - provides a customized search of over 1000 federal, state, city, county, and municipality contracting opportunities. www.TheFTC.org/bid-matching
       

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