Sunday, April 2, 2017

Learn How To Be A Government Grantee Or Contractor

By Jason Gray


Business owners who are interested in new opportunities and expanding their market are always on the lookout for new clients who can help them do that. There are many companies that don't seriously consider applying to become contractors for federal agencies. Some believe they don't have a chance of winning a bid, and others feel the solicitation process is too complicated and time consuming. You can learn how to be a government grantee or contractor by taking simple steps. It may not happen overnight, but you becoming a competitive bidder is possible.

There are some requirements you will need to fulfill before you begin the process of bidding. There are company identification numbers you will have to get. At some point, you may have to get additional insurance in order to finalize a contract. This is something you should find out about in advance, so you can factor these additional costs into your bids.

There is a governmental database you will have to register for, and then fill out the company profile. Some owners, mistakenly, don't take the time necessary to fill out the form thoroughly because they consider it a formality. Procurement agents search the database all the time to find potential businesses for jobs. Filling out the keyword field will bring up your company name more often than those who left the field blank. Be sure the references field is also completed. Good references and past performance may be more important than the lowest bid.

Networking is a fact of business life these days, and getting yourself noticed by federal agencies will require some. The first step may be to introduce yourself to the appropriate procurement office, and stay in touch. If you persist, you will probably be able to talk directly with an official. Getting to know these people, even on a casual basis, will help you in the long run. Federal agencies periodically have conferences that are open to vendors, and you should consider attending any of them that you can.

Once you finally get to the stage where you are ready to start filling out a solicitation bid, you may be alarmed to find some of them can run a hundred pages or more. They might be complicated and confusing, but taking them section by section will make the process more manageable. You will learn to not to skip a section, because if you do, your bid will be rejected outright. Representatives are willing to meet with you, if your bid is rejected, to explain how they made their decisions.

Certain bids must be awarded to small businesses, and if you qualify, you may want to concentrate on these solicitations. You should find out exactly what the federal agencies consider small businesses in order to make sure you have everything you need. Governmental agencies encourage small businesses to bid on larger contracts as well as long as they are able to handle the work.

Businesses owned by individuals considered disadvantaged or minorities get even extra consideration. Companies owned by disabled veterans and those that are located in low income areas are examples of these types of businesses.

Growing a business can be challenging, but there is a world of opportunity with governmental contracts. You just have to be determined and diligent and understand how the process works.




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