Author: fcr

(CCR) Central Contractor Registration: An Entity No More

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Central contractor registration via the CCR database used to be one of the main ways contractors could register and then bid on lucrative government contracts. But the CCR no longer exists, and these days everything is all about SAM.

SAM is the System for Award Management, which is a centralized database for all government contractors. Before SAM’s creation in 2012, there were several independent databases, including CCR and other systems, such as Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) to name a few.

Now everything is part of SAM, so if you want to become a government contractor, you no longer complete central contractor registration, now you will need to complete SAM registration. The downside is that while centralizing all of these systems makes good sense, it’s still not any easier to complete SAM registration.

It can take about 10 hours (or more) to complete the application, and it’s full of confusing government-speak that tends to frustrate many users. At Federal Contractor Registry, we’ve had years of experience with SAM registration (and CCR and ORCA in the past), and can complete your SAM registration or renewal and save you the time and trouble.

SAM registration is free, and we do charge for our services, and sometimes people become confused about this issue. Basically, we are a third-party registration service that can handle the burden of SAM registration quickly and easily, much like an accountant serves as your third-party tax preparer. It’s certainly free to do your own taxes, but it takes up a ton of your valuable time, so that’s why you hire the accountant.

It’s the same for us; we’ll handle the complexities of SAM registration, and leave you free to concentrate on running your business and learning all you can about government contracting.

If you have a small business, we highly recommend that you utilize the Small Business Administration and all it offers. For instance, did you know that the federal government sets aside a certain percentage of its contracts just for small businesses? These are known as “set-asides” or “set-aside codes,” and you’ll want to include any qualifying set-asides in your SAM registration.

For instance, if 51% or more of your business is owned by a woman, you can qualify as a woman-owned business. If your small business is located in a HUBZone, which is a historically underutilized area, you might qualify for HUBZone set asides. There are other options as well for veteran-owned businesses, Native American-owned businesses and more.

If you go to the Small Business Administration website you’ll see a tab at the top for Federal Contracting. Click here and you will find tons of resources for small business owners who wish to contract or sell to the federal government.

Once you’ve registered with SAM, you can start bidding on federal contracts, but don’t forget about your state government. These entities also need contractors, so it’s wise to register with your state so that you can take advantage of the contractor opportunities. Every state has its own database of approved contractors. For instance, in California, you can head to CalEProcure.ca.gov to register. In Wisconsin, you can register at Vendornet.wi.gov. In New York, the go-to website is OGS.NY.gov. Every state is a little bit different, but there definitely are some lucrative state and local contracts in all 50 states.

To reiterate, if you’ve been googling “central contractor registration” and coming up with nothing, that’s because what you really want to search for is SAM registration. If you’d like us to handle SAM registration (or renewals) for you, we are happy to get started at any time. Just head to our homepage and click on the New Registration tab and a registration specialist will be in touch with you soon.

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CAGE Codes: Everything You Need To Know

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If you’ve clicked on this article, you probably have been wondering how to get a CAGE Code. These codes are necessary for anyone wishing to do business with the federal government, and we can help you complete the paperwork needed to get your code, but first, let’s talk a little bit about the process in general.

CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity, and this is a unique identifier that is given to every business or individual that has complete System for Award Management registration. Once you have this code, you will be able to bid on government contracts.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is a database that includes all of the government contractors. This used to be several different databases (CCR, ORCA, FBO and more), but a few years ago multiple databases were consolidated to form one universal database.

This consolidation process has not been without its hiccups, but having a centralized database was definitely a smart move by the General Services Administration, which is the independent government agency that oversees SAM.

The First Step – DUNS
As you may have noticed, government entities seem quite partial to the use of acronyms and aside from CAGE and SAM; there are several others that you will need to know. The first of which is DUNS, which stands for Data Universal Numbering System. When searching how to get a CAGE Code, you may note that acquiring your DUNS number is the first step.

SAM registration can take many, many hours to complete, and we can do that for you, but you will need to register for your DUNS number before handing over SAM registration to us. Fortunately it takes to just a few minutes to apply for your DUNS number. Just go to the Dun & Bradstreet website and sign up.

It’s possible that your business already has a DUNS number, and you can check on that as well as the Dun & Bradstreet website. If you don’t, then the system will ask you some questions about your business and in a few days provide you with this number. There is no charge to receive your DUNS number.

The Second Step – The Notarized Letter
This is a fairly new requirement for SAM registration. Due to some fraudulent activity in the SAM database, the government decided to require businesses to complete and send in a notarized letter listing the Entity Administrator for the SAM account. This is the person at your company that has the authority to make any changes to your SAM account.

There is a template for the letter at the Federal Service Desk website at FSD.gov, which is yet another component of the General Services Administration. Once you get the Federal Service Desk homepage, if you look at the very top of the page, you will see a tab called “Top Help Topics.” Click on this tab, and a page opens up with categorized help topics. The first box includes “Tips for Notarized Letter,” if you click on that and then click on the blue “Template” button, it will lead you to the template for this notarized letter.

Just download the letter and follow the instructions exactly. You will need your DUNS number as well as your legal business name and physical address (not a PO Box). Be sure that the legal name is 100% correct; it should match what is on your DUNS account.

You can send in your letter as soon as you have it completed and notarized. You don’t have to wait to complete your SAM registration. In the past, you actually couldn’t be approved in SAM until after your letter was approved, but that ended up being a logistical nightmare for the government, as many contractors’ SAM registrations expired before their letter was approved.

SAM registration must be renewed every year. When your registration expires, the government no longer is able to do business with you, and many contractors were left in a lurch, mid-job, without a paycheck in sight and government entities were left with half-finished jobs. So the powers that be at GSA decided to allow registrations and renewals to continue without requiring letter approval first. Still, you do need to complete that letter and send it in right away so that it can be approved and filed away.

The Third Step – SAM Registration
If this all seems a bit overwhelming, get ready for the truly time-consuming part of how to get a CAGE code. Once you’ve got your DUNS and sent your letter, you can head online and start filling out the SAM application. While it is free to sign up, the process can be frustrating and confusing, and can take as many as 10 hours to complete.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can handle this part of the process for you. While it’s true, we do charge for our services, we can save you the time and frustration associated with SAM registration. We quickly can complete the application, and accurately fill out each section. Many of our clients get about halfway through the process, throw up their hands in frustration and contact us for help.

Still more people just give up entirely on government contracting, and that’s a shame. The government offers billions of dollars in contracts every year, and these contracts can be quite lucrative. If you qualify as a small business, some of these contracts are set aside specifically for small and emerging businesses, as well as woman-owned and veteran-owned businesses. You can miss out on some amazing profits if you give up on SAM.

So, if you are worrying about how to get a CAGE Code; let us help. Think of Federal Contractor Registry just as you would an accountant. The tax code is very confusing, and while you could do it yourself for free, it’s usually just easier to hire an accountant and let this expert handle the chore. With us, we can handle the chore of SAM registration and help to get that CAGE Code and get you on the way to government contracting.

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The SAM.Gov Website & Your Set-Aside Codes

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When you sign up to become a government contractor at the SAM.gov website, you will be asked about your set-aside codes. Understanding these codes and taking advantage of the opportunities they can provide is crucial to successful government contracting. Let’s take a quick look at set asides and what it all means.

The United States government has 15 departments, as well as a myriad of independent agencies, commissions and boards. Virtually all of these entities will need government contractors at some time or another. Most of these agencies, particularly the departments, such as the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Education, try to “set aside” a portion of their contracting jobs just for certain types of small businesses.

Are You A Small Business?
Before we do a deep dive into these small business set-asides, it’s important to note that you first need to discover whether or not your business qualifies as a small business. The government has specific requirements, based upon your number of employees and earnings, which you must meet in order to qualify.

To check to see if your business qualifies, go to the Small Business Administration’s webpage at https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards and click on the Measure My Business tab. From there you will need to know your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These are codes that identify the exact type of goods and services you provide.

There are more than a dozen set-aside codes and your business may qualify for one or more of these codes, which include:

Competitive 8(a) – These are small businesses that are owned by people or entities that are found to be socially or economically disadvantaged. These are persons that, according to the United States government, have been subjected to racial, ethnic or cultural prejudice. This includes a wide range of persons, from women to Native Americans to those with certain physical disabilities.

In order to qualify, your business must be at least 51% owned by someone is economically and socially disadvantaged, and be owned by someone with a personal net worth of $250,000 or less, someone with assets of $4 million or less and there are several other criteria.

Woman-Owned Small Business & Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business – These two set asides are a bit easier to understand. To qualify, a business must be at least 51% owned by a woman. Obviously to qualify for the economically-disadvantaged set aside, you will need to prove that your income and assets are within the limits set forth by the government.

Veteran-Owned Small Business & Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business – Again, this one is fairly straight-forward and these set asides are simply meant for business that are 51% or more owned by a veteran or a veteran that was disabled during their years of service in the military.

Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises & Indian Economic Enterprises – If your business or organization is 51% Native American-owned, there are many resources available to you and two set-aside codes. This can be a small business owned by an individual that is Native American or a small business owned by a tribe, band or nation.

Partial HBCU/MI & Total HBCU/MI – For this set aside, the HBCU stands for Historically Black College or University, while the MI stands for Minority Institution. These are set asides for qualifying colleges and universities that are seeking government grants or contracting jobs.

Emerging Small Business – These are set asides to help newer businesses get their start. Typically, these businesses must be 50% smaller than the small business standard set by the SBA and your NAICS codes. For instance, perhaps your business counts as small business if you have 100 employees or less, but you only have 40 employees. In this case, you may be eligible as an emerging small business.

Very Small Business – If your business size and profits are well below the SBA requirements as a small business. Typically, the contracts you would bid on would be fairly small, ranging from about $2,500 up to $50,000. Of course, if you are a small firm with just a few employees, this amount of money might not seem that small.

HUBZone – In some cases, your small business might be located in what is known as a HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zones) or have at least 35% of its employees living in a HUBZone. These zones are found around the United States and the SBA has map showcasing all of these zones on its website.

It’s definitely smart to head to the SBA’s HUBZone Map to see if your business is located within one of these zones, as at least three percent of all government contracts are set aside for qualifying HUBZone businesses. That might seem like a small number, but if you are competing against other businesses for a contract and your business has a set-aside code, the agency may be much more likely to select your business.

But what does all of this have to do with the SAM.gov website? Well, when you register with SAM and add your set-aside codes, agencies looking for contractors may search for businesses that qualify for these codes so it’s crucial that you know which codes apply to you.

In addition to adding these codes when you register at the SAM.gov website, you also should register as a government contractor in your state. These set-aside codes don’t just apply to federal contracts; they also might help you acquire contracts from state government agencies, as well.

Of course, you can bypass the SAM.gov website and let us help with SAM registration. We can help you identify whether or not you qualify for any set-aside codes, and we can handle your entire SAM registration. The SAM registration process can be very time-consuming and frustrating, and we help hundreds of companies every year complete the initial registration process and the renewal process.

Rather than struggling for hours on the SAM.gov website, consider contacting Federal Contractor Registry and let us do the work. To get started, just go to our homepage and click on the green New Registration tab.

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Government Contracting Jobs: 3 Agencies That Need Help

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If you are getting ready to complete your SAM registration and start bidding on government contracting jobs, you probably would love to know which agencies are out there seeking contracts. The truth is there are hundreds of agencies and just about all of them need contractors. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find when you start looking for opportunities.

FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency constantly offers government contracting jobs. Every time there’s a flood, a spate of tornadoes, a hurricane, an earthquake or any other type of disaster, people need help and FEMA aims to provide it. In order to do so, however, they need the help of government contracting jobs. These jobs range from debris cleanup up services to security services to providing trailers and temporary housing and even providing bottled water and shelf-stable food.

Keep in mind, as you search, that FEMA is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and when you are doing a search at FBO.gov, you may want to start your search by typing Department of Homeland Security into the Agency box. This will trigger a list of many different agencies within DHS that are in need of help. So while you might be thinking about FEMA opportunities, there could be other DHS agencies that could benefit from your skills and services.

Department of Defense
Did you know that more than $400 billion in contracts are awarded every year by the United States government? A good portion of this money was paid out by the Department of Defense (DOD). When you think about DOD contracts, you probably think these are mostly huge contracts awarded to massive companies that build tanks, rockets and other related items.

While these types of huge contracts are common, that doesn’t mean that a small business can’t take a piece of the DOD contracting pie. It’s not all about military equipment and weapons systems. The DOD needs people to print materials, provide custodial services, repair copiers and other machinery, provide educational materials and much more.

In many cases, especially with DOD or Homeland Security, it can be a great idea to work as a subcontractor for a Prime Contractor. Prime Contractors are government contractors that typically have a good deal of experience with government contracting. Some Prime Contractors also are required to offer subcontracting jobs as part of their contract with an agency.

Becoming a subcontractor can be a smart for anyone just getting started with government contracting. In fact, the DOD has a goal to award more than 20% of its subcontracts to small businesses, so when it comes to government contracting jobs, there’s room for everyone.

USDA
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) might seem like it only needs agriculture-related companies to bid on contracts, but that definitely is not the case. While there certainly are opportunities for these types of companies, there are plenty of other jobs that USDA needs completed.

For instance, if you search for contracting jobs for the Forest Service department of USDA, you’ll see road maintenance jobs, janitorial services, housekeeping services, construction jobs and requests for the sale or leasing of various types of equipment and vehicles and these are just a few of the jobs we saw that were available.

Other Agencies
Of course, these are just three of the places where you might look for government jobs. In addition to the DHS and FEMA, DOD and USDA, there are 12 other departments of the federal government. Within these departments are hundreds of agencies and most, at one time or another, will offer government contracting jobs. There are also independent agencies and commissions that might need contractors, such as the United States Postal Service, the Social Security Administration and even the Peace Corps.

How To Search
We highly recommend that you become familiar with the FBO.gov (also known as FedBizOpps.gov). This is a centralized location where you can find all sorts of government contracting jobs from just about any federal agency.

When you head there, you will notice that there is a basic search area where you can select opportunities by posted date, set-aside code, state or territory, agency, type and using keywords or actual solicitation numbers. However, you also can click on the advanced search to really dive deep and find government contractor jobs that are a good fit for you or your company.

In the advanced search menu, you can search using the same criteria as above but set multiple criteria to come up the contracting jobs most suited to your business and business type rather than searching by just one criterion. For instance, you can create a search within a specific state from a specific agency and with your specific set-aside code. This may yield better results than simply searching by agency. You also can search by NAICS codes, which are the codes specific to your type of business.

How We Can Help
Of course, you cannot bid on government contracting jobs until you complete your SAM registration, and this is our area of specialization. While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, this process can be extremely time-consuming and it can be quite frustrating to wade through all of the government-speak and understand what to do.

As a third-party SAM registration service, we do charge a fee, but we can handle all of the intricacies of SAM registration for you, saving you time and eliminating frustration. Basically, we are to government contracting what an accountant is to the IRS. We make it easy for you to get registered and start looking for government contracting jobs. To get started, just head to our homepage and click on the green New Registration tab.

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Government Contracting: 5 Tips For Success

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Every year, the hundreds of agencies within the federal government, offer a myriad of government contracting opportunities. These jobs can be financially rewarding, but it does take some research and extra work to learn how to appeal to government agencies and win bids. Check out a few of our helpful tips that might make the process easier.

1. Learn How To Market Yourself

While you already might know how to market yourself for the private sector, the government is another ball of wax altogether. For instance, perhaps you’re an IT consultant and you typically advertise using terms such as “boost your ROI,” or “reduce downtime by 40% or more.”

While reducing downtime definitely can be beneficial for government agencies, boosting the ROI is not really a concern. After all, these agencies are not for-profit businesses, they simply want an IT company that can streamline their IT systems and keep it as secure as possible.

You have to think like a government agency when you design marketing materials. What does this agency truly need from you? Whatever the need, make sure your marketing brochures, information sheets and other materials clearly showcase how you can help meet their needs.

Learning how to create a competitive bid is crucial, but it’s important to keep in mind that many agencies actively search through the System for Award Management (SAM) database for possible contractors. If an agency rep finds you through SAM, it’s crucial that your marketing materials and your website be top quality. It’s not just about the bid, it’s also about how your market yourself.

2. Evaluate Your Website

Does your website provide a user-friendly experience? You need to ensure that your website is well-designed and easy to navigate. Do the web pages load quickly? Does your site work well on mobile devices as well as on desktops? A great website can set you apart from your competitors, both with your government and non-government clients.

Government representatives need to quickly identify your services and qualifications. It would be smart to design a page devoted to government contracting, so that an agency rep quickly can find information about your core competencies, your CAGE code, DUNS number, set-aside codes and so-forth.

3. Create A Top-Notch Capability Statement

Most government agencies will want you to provide a Capability Statement, which is a bit like a resume, although the information that you need to include looks a bit different than a resume.

Still, government agencies sift through hundreds or thousands of these throughout the year, so yours does need to stand out. You need an eye-catching, easy-to-read design, but more importantly, you need to provide the type of content that the agency representatives are seeking.

This statement will include a list of your core competencies, which is basically a quick list of the types of services you can provide. You also need to list past experiences, which should include a list of clients you’ve served along with their contact information. Additionally, you will want to include a short list of differentiators, and this is a list that showcases how your company stands out from the pack.

The last section of this document includes your company data, including basic information about your physical location and perhaps your founding date, as well as your DUNS number, your CAGE code, your Socio-Economic Certifications, your NAICS codes and any additional certifications that might be of interest to a potential employer.

4. Attend A Workshop Or Class

Learning how to write bids can be tough, but there are some helpful resources available, particularly if you qualify as a small business. As part of the SAM registration process, we can help you find out if you do qualify as a small business, and then you’ll be able to use all of the resources available through the government-run Small Business Administration.

If you don’t qualify as a small business, there are still plenty of classes, online tutorials and even third-party services that can help you write your bid or proposal. Not only do you need to learn how to write a bid, you also need to learn about the different types of bids.

A government agency might issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Tender (RFT) or perhaps a Request for Quotation. There are also Invitations for Bids (IFB). Each of these is slightly different, and it’s important to understand these differences so that you can find the best opportunities for your company.

For instance, an RFP or RFT typically is issued for contracts with a value greater than $25,000 and for contracts where the supplier will be chosen based on several factors, and not just for offering the lowest price point. An RFQ is typically awarded very quickly, and the value of these contracts is less than $25,000. An IFB typically has a value greater than $100,000. These bids are competitive, and the lowest bin will win the award.

5. Keep Your SAM Registration Current

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you get started with government contracting by completing your SAM registrations for you. We also can help with SAM renewals, and it’s important to get your SAM renewals completed well before your expiration date.

SAM registration expires every year, and you must update and renew your listing. It can take several weeks for this renewal to be approved, so it’s essential that you renew months before your actual expiration date. If an agency sees that your registration is going to expire in two or three months, they might be wary of using your company.

This is because if your registration expires in the middle of a job, they can no longer use your services because you aren’t legally able to do business with the government unless you have a current SAM registration. We highly recommend that you renew about three months before you expiration date, and we also encourage you to keep your information up-to-date. If a phone number changes or your address changes, immediately update this information in SAM.

While the government does not charge for SAM registration, it can be an extremely frustrating experience, and can take 10 or more hours to complete the application. If you wish to save some time and ensure that your registration is completed correctly, we can help. We are a third-party SAM registration service and we’ve helped thousands of companies, large and small, get started with government contracting. To get the process rolling, simply head to our homepage and click on the green New Registration button and one of our registration specialists will begin working on your registration as quickly as possible.

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Federal Contractor Jobs: Creating A Capability Statement

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There are thousands of lucrative federal government contractor jobs out there, and when you are putting yourself out there and bidding on jobs, one of the items you’ll need is a top-notch capability statement. Here’s a quick look at this statement and some tips to make yours stand out.

What Is A Capability Statement?

In some ways, a capability statement is a bit like a resume. It’s meant to be brief, usually just a single page and never more than two, and it provides a quick glimpse at your company, the services it offers and exemplifies what makes your business a good contender for federal government contractor jobs.

Typically, your Capability Statement will include an introduction followed by four main areas:

The Introduction – At the top of the page, simply use the word “Capability Statement” and include your company logo. You might also include contact information at the top of the page. After adding this information, you’ll want to write a short paragraph introducing your company and quickly describing your services and experience.

Core Competencies – This is where you would list your areas of specialization, but not necessarily every service that your offer. Basically create a quick list of your most valuable services, or the services that best match what you will provide as far as federal government contractor jobs go.

Experience/Past Performance – In this section, you will want to list some past customers and include contact information for those clients. If you’ve done work for state and local government agencies, this is definitely something to highlight, as this makes you more attractive to federal agencies.

Differentiators – Basically, this area is a sales pitch for your company. For this section, you’ll want to identify how your business can better serve a government agency than another company offering services similar to your own. If you aren’t quite sure what to say, consider reading over some reviews or surveys from previous clients. What did they find distinguished you over another service? What factors did they use to select your company over a competitor?

Company Data

In this section, you will want to highlight all pertinent information regarding your business. You can begin by listing your DUNS number and CAGE code, as well as your physical address and an email and phone number, as well as the name of the contact person in charge of your federal government contractor jobs and bidding.

Additionally, you will want to list any “set-aside” types. The federal government sets aside a portion of federal government contractor jobs specifically for certain types of small businesses. For instance, you might be a woman-owned small business, or a veteran-owned small business, or both. Be sure to list your set-asides in this section, which you can label as Socio-Economic Certifications.

You also will want to list all of our NAICS codes. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System, and there are thousands of these codes, and each one identifies a specific type of service you might provide.  You can simply list the numbers here, and you don’t have to include a description, as representatives from government agencies already know which codes they need to see.

You also can list additional certifications that your company has earned, and your license numbers, if this applies to your type of business. If space permits, you can even list any industry awards that you might have won. 

Some Additional Tips:

1. Edit, Edit, Edit – Ensure that there are no grammar and spelling mistakes, and be sure to double-check your contact information as well as the contact information for any of the companies with whom you’ve worked previously.

2. Keep A Consistent Style – Stick with just one or two typefaces at the most, and ensure that all of your bulleted lists are in the same style with the same margin sizes. Keep it clean and crisp so that the person reading it will be focusing more on the content than any weird design inconsistencies.

3. Look For Style Examples

If you are still stumped, there are many good examples of attractive Capability Statements on the internet. Take a look at how others have designed their statements to give you some good ideas about what to do. You also can hire an outsourcer to create and design your Capability Statement.

At Federal Contractor Registry, our piece of the government contracting pie is helping you with SAM registration, which must be completed before you bid on any federal government contractor jobs.

While you can complete SAM registration on your own, at no charge, the process is long and often confusing and frustrating. Hiring an experienced third-party registration service can make the process easier. Additionally, as we fill at your registration, we also can provide you with helpful information, such as researching your set-aside types and finding your specific NAICS codes, which then can be added to your Capability Statement. To get started with SAM registration, just head to our homepage and click on the green New Registration tab. This leads you to a quick contact form, and once you’ve filled it out, one of our registration specialists will be in touch as soon as possible.

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Government Contractor Jobs: 7 Tips For Newbies

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If you are new to the world of government contracting, then you probably have many questions about how to find and bid on government contractor jobs. The process definitely takes some getting used to, but the following tips can make it easier to bid and win contracts.

1. Think About Your NAICS Codes

When you complete your SAM registration, part of the process is determining your North American Industry Classification System codes. This can be a time-consuming process, and if you choose to use our SAM registration service, we can determine which codes are the best matches for your business.

There are thousands of NAICS codes, and each describes a specific type of good or service that you might provide. When representatives for government agencies search for contractors, they search using these codes, so it’s crucial that your codes truly reflect what your business can provide.

For instance, perhaps your company provides construction services. There are many codes that might apply to you. As an example, your service might fall under the section of Building Finishing Contractors, which is section 2383. Under this section, there are many types of contracting services, including Drywall & Insulation Contractors, Painting and Wall-Covering Contractors, Flooring Contractors, Tile & Terrazzo Contractors, Finish Carpentry Contractors and Other Building Finishing Contractors.

You might provide several of these services, so you will want your System for Award Management (SAM) entry to include all of the codes that showcase services you can provide. It’s wise to add more than one code, but not too many, simply stick with the services that best describe your areas of expertise.

2. Determine Your Small Business Status

At Federal Contractor Registry, we help businesses of all sizes with their SAM registration, and while some businesses can skip over this tip, many businesses do qualify as a small business and this designation can make it easier to find government contractor jobs.

Your first step will be to go to the Small Business Administration at SBA.gov and determine whether or not you qualify as a small business. Again, this is something we can do for you if you use Federal Contractor Registry for your SAM registration.

In order to see if you qualify as a small business, you will need to know your NAICS codes, as the SBA uses these codes to determine what size of business qualifies as small. You also need to know the amount of full-time and part-time employees at your company, not counting independent contractors.

As an example, perhaps you are a cement manufacturer, which has an NAICS code of 32731, and you have 25 employees. The SBA has determined that a cement manufacturing company with 1,000 employees or less qualifies as a small business. Therefore, you may be eligible for government contractor jobs that are “set-aside” specifically for qualifying small businesses.

3. Learn More About Set-Asides

As part of the SAM registration process, we can identify your NAICS codes, determine whether or not you qualify as a small business and help you discover if you also qualify for other Set-Asides.

A portion of all federal government contractor jobs are set aside for unique types of small business. For instance, if the majority of your small business is women-owned, this is a set aside. If the majority of your business is veteran-owned, this is a set aside. If your business qualifies as an Indian Economic Enterprise, this is yet another set aside. We strongly encourage you use the set-asides to your advantage whenever possible.

4. Head to USA.gov

This website includes a Contracting Opportunity Finder, at https://www.usa.gov/find-government-contracts, which allows you to search for contracting jobs in several ways. You can search by keyword (and this includes searching using your NAICS codes), search by location, by the posted date of contracting jobs or search by Set-Aside Type.

We recommend searching using your NAICS codes, as this is the best way to find contracting jobs that are truly a match for your skills and services. You also can search using multiple filters, so you could do a search using your NAICS code, your state and by set-aside type to truly find opportunities in your area.

5. Check Out FedBizOpps.gov

This is yet another website operated by the federal government where you can find government contractor jobs. Here you can search by government agency, by set-aside type, by state or search using a classification, such as your NAICS code. You can find some additional information regarding government contracting and governments on this website, as well.

6. Research The Bidding Process

If you do qualify as any type of small business, the SBA has quite a bit of helpful information on their website. Head to SBA.gov/federal-contracting and you’ll find links to the SBA’s Contracting guide, Contracting assistance programs and Counseling services.

For larger firms, it can make sense to outsource the bidding process, at least at first. There are quite a few private companies that can help you find government contractor jobs and prepare your bid or proposal. Alternatively, whether you are a small or large firm, you could simply designate one employee as your bid writing expert, and send them to a contractor training course or perhaps enroll in online training. Keep in mind, that many opportunities at SBA.gov are free for qualifying small businesses.

7. Consider Starting Out As A Subcontractor

When you work as a subcontractor, you have the peace of mind that comes with working alongside an experienced government contractor. They can help guide you through the process, and this can be the best way to handle your first few contracting jobs. Once you get the hang of the government contracting process, you can head out on your own, and subcontracting can be quite lucrative.

Of course, in order to truly bid on government contractor jobs, you have to complete your SAM registration, and that’s where we can help. While the government does not charge for SAM registration, it is a complicated and lengthy process, and rather than devote many hours of your precious time, you could hire us to handle this arduous (and often frustrating) task for you.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we’ve helped thousands of companies, of all sizes, complete their SAM registration and renewals. We liken our services to that of an accountant. The federal tax code is complicated, and using an accountant saves you a ton of hassle. It’s the same with us, as we can spare you the trouble and time associated with SAM registration. To get started, simply click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, fill out our quick contact form and a representative will be in contact with you shortly.

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Frustrated With SAM.gov? Let Us Help

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Government contracting can be profitable, but it’s not always easy to wade through the mire of government-speak and fully understand the rules, regulations and registration instructions. If you’ve been struggling with SAM.gov, you’re not alone, but there is help available.

If you are reading this, you probably already know that registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) is the first step you take as a new government contractor. You probably also know that after a few minutes on the SAM.gov website that this registration process may be free, but it’s definitely not easy.

The folks at SAM.gov constantly stress that it’s free to register, but, of course, they won’t tell you that it actually does cost you something. It can take 15 to 20 hours to complete the registration process, so while they don’t charge you a fee, you will pay the cost of your valuable time. Additionally, it’s not just taking up time, it’s also a frustrating process, forcing you to stop every few minutes and find a set of Frequently Asked Questions or perhaps a video tutorial to help you understand each specific section of the application.

The easiest solution would be to hire a third-party registration service, such as Federal Contractor Registry. We do charge for our services, but it’s much like paying an accountant to handle your yearly taxes. An accountant understands all the details and updates to the U.S. tax codes, and we fully understand every part of the SAM registration process.

What We Need From You

Before you contact us gather together some preliminary information, including your DUNS number, your bank account number and bank routing number, your business’s taxpayer ID number and be prepared to give us a description of your business, the number of employees and what services or products you provide.

If you do not yet have a DUNS, which stands for Data Universal Numbering System, just head to the Dun & Bradstreet website and apply for one. This is a free service, and it takes about five minutes to apply for a DUNS. It does take about two business days for you to receive the number, but once you have it as well as the aforementioned information, you can give us a call and we’ll get started on your SAM registration.

The Notarized Letter Requirement

While we are handling your SAM.gov registration tasks, you have one step you will need to take on your own. In 2018, the government began requiring businesses to provide a notarized letter that signifies the name of the Entity Administrator for your SAM account. This is the person that is authorized to update and make changes to your SAM account.

This is a new requirement, and it came about because the General Services Desk (GSA), which is the agency responsible for SAM, notice potentially fraudulent activity in SAM, so they now require the notarized letter to ensure that they have the name of the Entity Administrator.

You can find a template for this letter at SAM.gov, and we highly recommend that you complete this letter as soon as possible. We also recommend that you send the letter using certified mail so that you can track the letter’s arrival. The government will not send you any type of confirmation until they have reviewed the letter and either approved or rejected it. If it is rejected, they will tell you why it was not approved. We highly recommend that you follow the template exactly, so that no mistakes are made.

In the past, the government would not approve your SAM registration or provide you with a CAGE Code until the letter was approved. However, there was such a huge backlog of letters that no SAM registrations or renewals were being approved. This was frustrating for those new to SAM, but it was extremely costly to those who were waiting on renewal, particularly if they had active government contracts. Without a current SAM registration, the government cannot do business with you, even if you already are in the middle of a contract.

Obviously, this didn’t work, and many contractors were losing money, not to mention the project delays. Subsequently, the GSA decided to continue requiring the letter, but they no longer require it before issuing a CAGE Code to first-timers or before approving a SAM renewal. If your head is spinning, you are not alone. Learning how to do business with the government and dealing the ins and outs of SAM.gov can be tricky. If you are feeling overwhelmed, contact us today and we can handle your initial SAM registration as well as SAM renewals.

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SAM & The Excluded Parties List: What Does It Mean?

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If you are new to the world of government contracting, you’ve probably done some research about the System for Award Management (SAM) database. This database includes all of the contractors approved to do business with the federal government, and it also contains a list of companies that aren’t allowed to bid on contracts. Here’s a quick look at the Excluded Parties List and how to ensure your business doesn’t appear on the list.

A few years ago, the government created a centralized database for government contracting. This is the System for Award Management or SAM. Before SAM, there were multiple databases, including the Central Contractor Registry (CCR), the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), the Federal Agency Registration (Fedreg) and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). All of those are now merged into SAM, and while you may still hear people talk about CCR and ORCA, these no longer exist.

Government agencies use SAM to find potential contractors and to review information about contractors that have submitted bids. If you are marked as having “an active exclusion,” the agency cannot do business with you. There are several reasons why a company might be excluded from government contracting.

For instance, if you are an individual that has been barred from entering the United States for any reason, this would mean you cannot do business with the government or rather act as the Entity Administrator for a business that wishes to bid on government contracts. Along those same lines, if an entity has violated national security protocols, this also would cause that entity to become excluded.

Other reasons for being excluded might be an entity that has been convicted of tax fraud or even an entity that has student loan debt possibly could be excluded. Basically, if you owe the government money or have violated certain federal laws, this easily could result in exclusion, but anytime a government agency suspects that an entity or people within that entity have acted in an unethical manner, they might decide to push for your exclusion from receiving future government contracts.

While being excluded certainly is serious, it’s not the end of the matter. In some cases, the exclusion will only be temporary, and once the exclusion has expired, you will be eligible to apply to be reinstated and then you can begin to bid on contracts again. Of course, most companies or entities will never need to worry about the exclusions list, because they, no doubt, won’t engage in an unethical conduct.

The easiest way to avoid ending up with an “excluded” status is to ensure that all of your business practices align with current federal regulations. Read each bid carefully to ensure that your company can provide the services or products needed and that these are in compliance with federal regulations.

For most contractors, exclusions aren’t a big problem, but registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) can be a huge hassle. This is where we can help. If you’ve been struggling with your SAM registration and have become frustrated with the process, give us a call and hire us to handle these registration tasks for you. While it is free to sign up in the System for Award Management, SAM is not an easy system to use; especially if you have no experience with government contracting and government speak. We do charge for our registration services, but we can save you the 15 or more hours it might take to complete the registration process and we will ensure that everything was done correctly, so that you can gain approval as quickly as possible and start bidding on government contracts.

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Applying For A SAM Number: What You Need To Know

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If you want to bid on government contracts, either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor, you’ll need to register with the System for Award Management (SAM) and obtain a SAM number. SAM is a huge database that includes every entity that is registered to do business with the federal government.

The SAM number actually is known as a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Once you’ve completed the SAM registration process, the government will provide you with a CAGE Code, which is a five-character identifier for your business. However, if you are a foreign business, located outside the United States, you must first obtain an NCAGE Code before you can register with SAM.

Before you begin the registration process, you’ll need to gather together some information. If you do not have a DUNS number, your first step will be to head to the Dun & Bradstreet website site to procure this number, which stands for Data Universal Numbering System. It is free to apply for this number and after you fill out the application, it takes just a couple of business days for Dun & Bradstreet to provide you with your DUNS.

Keep in mind, you will need to know the precise legal name of your business, as this is the exact name you need to use in SAM and all things SAM-related, including DUNS. It might sound obvious, but there can be problems if you are listed as Adams & Smith Marketing in DUNS, but Adams & Smith Marketing, Inc. is actually your legal name. Your complete legal name should be exactly the same with DUNS, SAM and everywhere else where you register.

While you are waiting for your DUNS, locate your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or your company’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). An EIN and a TIN are the same thing, so don’t worry if you find the TIN but can’t find your EIN. They are simply two acronyms for the same number. You also will need your bank’s routing number and your bank account number, as the government agencies will be paying you through the SAM system, and routing money into your bank account.

That completes the easy part of the process. Now, it gets a bit more complicated. Every entity (company or person registered with SAM) must have an Entity Administrator. This is simply the person that is authorized to make changes to the SAM account. In order to register with SAM, you need to send the government a notarized letter listing the Entity Administrator. You can find templates for this letter at FSD.gov, and we recommend that you send this in as soon as possible and follow all of the directions on the template carefully.

At this point, you have two choices before you. You can head to SAM.gov and start the SAM registration process by yourself, which is free. Or, you can contact a third-party registration service and pay them to complete the registration process for you. Why should you use a third-party service, such as Federal Contractor Registration? The SAM registration process is by no means an easy process; in fact, it can take up to 20 hours to complete the process.

We receive calls all of the time from people who started the registration process, but quickly became frustrated with the process. It’s complicated and full of government-speak. Let’s put it this way, it’s more frustrating than filling out your tax forms, and you probably hire an accountant to handle that process, so it just makes sense to let a SAM expert handle your SAM registration. We’ve completed SAM registrations for small businesses, mid-size businesses and many Fortune 500 companies, and we can help you deal with this convoluted process. After we’ve completed your SAM registration process, it can take up to 12 business days for the registration application to be processed. Once it’s complete, the government will send you your SAM number, or CAGE Code, and you can get started bidding on various government contacts.

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