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6 Myths About Government Contractor Jobs – Debunked

November 13, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

Embarking on a career in government contracting can often seem shrouded in mystery, with many would-be applicants deterred by myths that cloud the reality of this professional path. From notions that every job is about defense and security to misconceptions who can participate, the world of government contracting jobs is rife with misunderstandings. With that said, we’d like to debunk some of the most common myths that prevent many people from considering government contracting.

Myth 1 – Most Government Contracts Deal With Defense

While some of the most lucrative government contracts are related to the Department of Defense, DOD contracts are by no means the only options available. There are hundreds of federal government agencies and all of them need goods and services from the private sector.

The government buys everything from the private sector. This includes paper and office supplies, furniture, vehicles, repair services, security services, food services and just about anything else you can imagine. Goods and services from almost every imaginable industry are needed, and thousands of contracts are awarded every year.

To determine if your goods and services are needed by any federal agency, simply head to Sam.gov and click on the Contract Opportunities tab. We then recommend clicking on the Advanced Search and searching for contacts using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. If you aren’t sure of your codes, you can find them at Census.gov.

Myth 2 – You Must Have Security Clearance

There are some government contractor jobs that do require security clearances, but those are really few and far between. In most cases, security clearances are not an issue, and you can even bid on many contracts with the DOD and not need any level of security clearance. Security is typically only an issue with contracts for goods such as military crafts, weapons, computer security systems, etc.

Myth 3 – Small Businesses Can’t Participate

Many people hear about companies such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing winning massive government contracts, but there is still plenty left over for mid-size and small businesses. In fact, the government sets aside a portion of all government contracting dollars just for small businesses.

The Small Business Administration offers several programs for small businesses to help them find success with government contractor jobs. These programs typically are known as “set-asides” because the participants are eligible to bid on specific contracts set aside for certain types of small businesses.

For instance, if you are a woman that owns 51% (or more) of a small business, you may qualify for the Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set aside. If you are a service-disabled veteran that owns 51% of a small business, you may qualify for the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set aside.

Other programs include the HUBZone certification program, which is a set-aside for businesses in areas known as Historically Underutilized Business Zones. Another option is the 8(a) Business Development Program, which is designed for small businesses owned by socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals. Within this set aside, these contracts are sometimes known as 8a contracts.

Myth 4 – Marketing Isn’t Needed

In the private sector, marketing and advertising is crucial, but many people mistakenly believe that government contractors don’t need to market to government agencies. This is simply not true.

Your first step will be to create a Capability Statement. This is s a document similar to a resume, but the sections are a bit different than what individuals place on a resume or CV. The sections include a section for Corporate Data, Past Performances, Differentiators, Core Competencies and a section for contact information. You can find many examples of good capability statements online.

Additionally, we recommend adding a page to your website just for government contracting. This page should contain all of the information you’d place on a capability statement. It’s also smart to attend any networking events or conferences where you might encounter government procurement agents. This can be a great way to learn more about contracting and build your network.

Myth 5 – All Government Contracting Jobs Are Federal

Not only will you find thousands of federal contractor jobs, but there are also thousands of jobs available at the state level. Every state government also procures its goods and services from the private sector, so it’s wise to sign up with your state’s procurement system as well as the federal system, which is known as the System for Award Management (SAM).

Myth 6 – Government Contracting Is Too Hard

One of the biggest reasons why people don’t consider government contracting jobs is that it seems too difficult. While it’s true that there is a learning curve, there are plenty of helpful resources out there for new government contractors. The SBA offers a plethora of resources for small businesses, and there are private sector companies that can help you learn the basics of bidding on contracts as well as the types of government contracts you might encounter.

Additionally, many people worry about completing the first step you have to take in order to bid on government contracting jobs – SAM registration. This can be an extremely complicated and time-consuming process, and it truly does deter many people from becoming a federal contractor.

The good news is that we can help! At Federal Contractor Registry, we can quickly and accurately complete your SAM registration. Once approved, you will be eligible to bid on government contracts. We do charge a fee (the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration), but we can save you the headaches and 10-12 hours of time it takes to complete registration on your own.

It’s a bit like hiring an accountant to do your taxes. Filing your taxes is free, but the complexities of the tax code and the penalties you incur if you make mistakes are typically enough motivation to hire an expert. SAM registration is much the same. You could do it yourself, but it’s frustrating and complicated, so it makes sense to hire an SAM expert.

In addition to completing your SAM registration, our fee includes helping you sign up with the Small Business Administration, including determining which set-asides fit your business. If you are a Super 8(a) business (owned by Native Americans, Alaskan Native Corporations or Native Hawaiian Organizations), we also can introduce you to federal contractors in our system.

Additionally, we will help you with tasks such as attaining your Unique Entity Identifier (also known as the UEI number) which is a new requirement of SAM registration. We also can help you with the notarized letter requirement that is part of your initial registration. This letter identifies your Entity Administrator, which is the person at your company authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

SBA Set-Asides: 8a Certification, WOSB, VOSB & More

November 13, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

Government contracting can be a great way to grow your small business, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several set-aside designations, including 8a certification, that can make it easier for small businesses to win contracts. The following information can help you determine which set-asides are the best fit for your business.

What Is A Set-Aside?

The federal government spends billions every year and it purchases virtually all of its goods and services from the private sector. Government contracts are the method by which these needs are fulfilled. In order to boost small businesses throughout the United States and its territories, some of these contracts are “set aside” specifically for small businesses. There are several different types of set-asides, including:

Competitive Set-Asides: These contracts are exclusively for small businesses when at least two small businesses can perform the work or provide the products being purchased.

Sole-Source Set-Asides: For purchases between $10,000 and $250,000, the federal government automatically sets these contracts aside for small businesses, given that there are at least two companies that can offer the product or service to federal agencies at a fair and reasonable price.

Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Set-Asides: These set-asides are aimed at businesses that are at least 51% owned by women, with 5% of federal set-aside dollars awarded to WOSB and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSB)3.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Set-Asides: This program supports businesses owned by veterans with service-related disabilities.

HUBZone Set-Asides: Businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones can qualify for set-aside contracts to stimulate economic development in those areas.

Lastly, let’s talk about 8a Certification, which is yet another type of set-aside contract. This program is known officially as the 8(a) Business Development program. This program is designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal contractor marketplace. The key aspects of the program include:

Eligibility: It’s for businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This includes African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, people with disabilities, women and many other groups.

Duration: Small business owners can remain in the program for up to nine years, with a transitional stage in the latter half to prepare for post-8(a) business.

Mentor-Protégé Program: This allows established businesses to mentor 8(a) participants, providing guidance on how to navigate federal contracts, business management and technical assistance.

Sole-Source Contracts: The program enables eligible businesses to receive sole-source government contracting jobs, up to a certain threshold, without having to deal with the competitive bidding process, which can be complicated.

Competitive Set-Asides: 8(a) firms can compete for set-aside contracts within the program, in addition to the standard small business set-asides.

Business Development: The SBA provides business development assistance, including training workshops, counseling, marketing assistance, and high-level executive development.

Annual Review: Businesses in the program undergo annual reviews and systematic evaluations to ensure they meet the goals and criteria.

Goals: The SBA aims to award at least 5% of federal contracting dollars to 8(a) firms annually. 8a contracts can be quite lucrative, providing you with an excellent source of income.

As you can see, the 8(a) program is a powerful tool for small, disadvantaged businesses to gain a foothold in government contracting and build their capabilities and financial viability in general.

SAM Registration Is Essential

Of course, if you plan on bidding on government contracts, including set-aside contracts, you will need to register with the System for Award Management (SAM). This database includes information about all government contractors, and you cannot do business with the federal government without an active SAM listing.

While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, the application process can be an extremely complicated and frustrating endeavor. To avoid the headaches, and the potentially 10 or more hours of work needed to complete your registration, many businesses hire a third-party SAM expert to complete this process.

We also can help you with SAM renewal, which must be completed every year. We recommend starting your SAM registration renewal several months before your listing expires. In some cases, if a federal procurement agent notices that your expiration is coming up soon, they will choose another business over yours because if your listing expires, they cannot do business with you at that point.

It can take several days or several weeks for SAM renewal approval, depending on the workload of the Federal Service Desk, which manages the SAM database. This is why early renewal is always the best strategy.

At Federal Contractor Registry (FCR), we can complete your SAM registration, and while we do charge a fee, our registration services are fast and 100% accurate. Our fee also includes several other value-added features.

For instance, we will help you attain your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is a new requirement for new SAM registrants, and it can be a bit confusing to sign up, but we handle this process frequently, so we can take that step out of your hands.

Additionally, we also can help you fulfill the notarized letter requirement that is part of SAM registration. In order to complete your initial registration, you must submit a notarized letter to the federal government identifying the person in your company who is authorized to make changes to your SAM account. This person is known as an entity identifier.

When it comes to SBA programs, if you do qualify as a small business, we will help you sign up with the SBA and identify which set-aside designations are the best fit for your business, including SBA 8a certification. Linking your SBA account to your SAM account is an essential step in the SAM registration process and we will ensure that this is handled correctly so that you can take full advantage of these SBA programs.

For our Super 8a contractors, we also can introduce you to other federal contractors in our FCR network. The term “Super 8(a)” refers to businesses within the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program that are owned by Indian tribes, Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs), and Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs). These groups are considered socially disadvantaged, and businesses they unconditionally own and control qualify for the Super 8(a) designation.

Super 8(a) businesses benefit from the ability to form joint ventures and receive sole-source government contract jobs above typical competitive thresholds, with certain limitations, to prevent abuse of this expedited acquisition path. The aim is to enhance the participation of these groups in federal contracting opportunities.

Get Started With Federal Contracting

If you are interested in bidding on government contracting jobs, especially set-asides, such as 8a certification, the team at FCR can help. We can provide you with fast, accurate SAM registration and sign you up with the SBA so that you can take advantage of all this federal agency has to offer. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab.

7 Facts About Federal Award Management Registration

October 10, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you’re considering venturing into government contracting, registering with the federal award management system is usually the initial step. While the registration and overall contracting process might appear overwhelming to newcomers, the insights provided below will shed some light on the procedure.

The Government Has Strict Purchasing Rules

The government purchases the bulk of its goods and services from the private sector, which is meant to bolster the economy and help private businesses grow. However, unlike the private sector, where a company employee might be able to easily purchase goods and services needed by a business, the federal government cannot simply call up a company and purchase items or even ask for a cost quote.

Every federal agency employs procurement agents to handle purchasing tasks, and these agents must follow strict rules. In most cases, businesses must compete to win federal awards (contracts) and the bidding process can be complicated. We recommend doing some research into bidding and the types of government contracts before diving into the contracting world.

SAM Registration Is Required For All Contractors

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the proper term for the database that contains information about all government contractors. You cannot bid on federal government contracts without completing SAM registration, and your listing must be active and in good standing.

Each entity’s SAM account will contain helpful information for government procurement officers. By perusing your SAM listing, a procurement agent can learn about your company’s financial information and performance history as well as the type of goods and services you can provide. The agent also can check to ensure that you are not on the Exclude Parties List, which is comprised of companies that have been debarred or suspended from the federal procurement process.

The listing also includes contact information, the size of your business and if you qualify for any Small Business Administration (SBA) set-aside programs. The government “sets aside” a portion of its contracts just for small businesses, and registering with the SBA can make it easier for small businesses to find success with government contracting.

Registration Is Free, But . . .

The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, however, that doesn’t mean that the process is easy. In fact, it’s just the opposite. SAM registration can take 10-12 hours to complete, and many people find the process so frustrating and filled with confusing government-speak, that they bail on the idea of becoming a government contractor.

If you find that SAM registration is too complicated or just want to skip the hassle, it can be smart to simply hire a third-party registration service to complete this process. While a SAM registration service does charge a fee, this is simply like hiring an accountant to complete your taxes. You could do your taxes on your own, but it’s complicated and mistakes are costly. SAM registration is much the same, which is why some people choose to hire a pro to handle this task.

Don’t Share Your MPIN

One of the steps of SAM registration includes creating a SAM MPIN number. MPIN stands for Marketing Partner Identification Number. This is a nine-digit code that all new SAM registrants will receive.

No procurement agent should ever ask you to reveal this code, which is much like your PIN used for a bank ATM. Occasionally, we have heard about people being asked to share their MPIN, but, under no circumstances should you share this number with anyone.

Once your federal award management registration is complete, you will be assigned a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. This code can be shared with others, and procurement agents can use this code to find your business and review your SAM data. Again, sharing a CAGE code is perfectly fine, but do not share your MPIN number.

Companies Must Apply For A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

In the past, companies were asked to provide their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of SAM registration. These numbers were generated from Dun & Bradstreet, a non-government entity.

These days, DUNS numbers are no longer required. Instead, the federal government will generate a UEI number for your company. However, you do have to apply for this number before beginning SAM registration. If you decide to use your registration services, we will complete this step for you.

Companies Must Identify Your Entity Administrator Via Mail

Several years ago, the Federal Service Desk (the agency in charge of the System for Award Management) added an extra step to SAM registration. New registrants are now required to send in a notarized letter listing their company’s Entity Administrator. This is simply the person who is authorized to make changes to your SAM listing. We can help you complete the SAM notarized letter requirement as part of our SAM registration services.

SAM Must Be Renewed Every Year

Every 12 months your SAM registration will expire and will need to be updated and renewed. Usually, this is not as complicated as the initial registration process. For instance, you don’t need to send in another notarized letter, apply for the UEI or link your account to SBA.

However, you will still need to go through each section of the application carefully and make any updates or changes. This can be time-consuming and sometimes challenging, so if you would prefer to have a pro handle this task, we do offer SAM renewal services.

While federal award management registration can be complicated, the team at Federal Contractor Registry can help. We will complete your registration quickly and 100% accurately, as well as help you with the UEI number, the notarized letter requirement and help you sign up with SBA, if applicable. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage.

Storm Cleanup Jobs: FEMA, SAM Registration & More

October 8, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

Storms and other natural disasters are inevitable, and that means the government will need to hire civilian contractors to help after these disasters occur. Storm cleanup jobs can be lucrative, but it’s crucial to learn about the bidding process, how FEMA works and SAM registration. Let’s take a quick look at some of these topics.

How FEMA Allocates Storm Cleanup Contracts

When natural disasters strike, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a pivotal role in coordinating relief and recovery efforts. One of the key components of this recovery process is the allocation of storm cleanup contracts. For new government contractors, understanding this process can be the key to securing valuable contracts and playing a role in community restoration.

Pre-Positioned Contracts

Before a disaster even occurs, FEMA often has pre-positioned contracts in place. These contracts are set up with vendors who can provide goods and services immediately after a disaster. By having these contracts pre-established, FEMA can ensure a rapid response.

For New Contractors: It’s beneficial to explore opportunities for pre-positioned contracts, as these can provide a steady stream of work and revenue.

Local Business Prioritization

FEMA has a strong commitment to supporting local businesses in the aftermath of a disaster. This means that local contractors often get priority when it comes to storm cleanup contracts. The idea is to boost the local economy and speed up the recovery process.

For New Contractors: If you operate in an area prone to natural disasters, ensure you’re well-positioned to take advantage of local contracting opportunities.

SAM Registration

To be eligible for FEMA contracts, businesses must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). This system allows FEMA to vet potential contractors, ensuring they meet specific federal requirements.

For New Contractors: Ensure your business is registered and up-to-date in SAM. This is a non-negotiable step in securing a FEMA contract. At Federal Contractor Registry, we can complete SAM registration (and SAM renewals) for you, and we will discuss more about that later on in this article.

Open Bidding Process

For many contracts, especially those not covered by pre-positioned agreements, FEMA uses an open bidding process. This allows contractors to submit their proposals, which FEMA then evaluates based on various criteria, including cost, capability, and past performance.

For New Contractors: Familiarize yourself with the bidding process and consider seeking expert advice or training to improve your chances of submitting a winning bid.

Set-Asides for Small Businesses

FEMA often sets aside a portion of its contracts for small businesses, minority-owned businesses, and women-owned businesses. This ensures a diverse range of contractors can participate in the recovery process.

For New Contractors: If your business falls into one of these categories, ensure you’re aware of set-aside opportunities and understand how to position your business effectively. The team at Federal Contractor Registry also can help you sign up with SBA and determine which set-asides best fit your business.

Performance and Delivery

Once a contract is awarded, FEMA places a strong emphasis on timely and quality delivery. Contractors who perform well are more likely to secure future contracts.

For New Contractors: Focus on delivering exceptional service and meeting all contract specifications. Building a strong reputation can lead to more opportunities in the future.

SAM Registration

If you want to bid on storm cleanup jobs, including FEMA clean up jobs or any type of disaster relief jobs, SAM registration is a critical first step you must take. SAM is the acronym for the System for Award Management, and this is the central database for all government contractors. You must have an active SAM account to do business with any federal agency, including FEMA.

The government will not charge you a fee for SAM registration, but it can be a difficult and frustrating process, taking many hours to complete. Additionally, if you make any mistakes, the application will not be approved, and this will delay your ability to bid on any patenting storm cleanup jobs or other types of contracts.

Because SAM registration can be so difficult to complete many people simply hire a third-party registration service, such as Federal Contractor Registry. While we do charge a fee, we will complete your SAM registration quickly and 100% accurately leaving you free to handle your many day-to-day business tasks.

We also will help you acquire the new SAM Unique Entity ID (the UEI number) and help you with the SAM notarized letter requirement that is part of your initial SAM registration. These are only needed for first-time registrants, and we can relieve you of this hassle as part of our services.

SBA Registration

If your company qualifies as a small business, we highly recommend that you sign up with the Small Business Administration. Not only might you qualify for certain set-aside programs, such as 8a certification, HUBZone certification or perhaps the Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB) program, but the SBA also offers business planning advice, small business loans and more.

The SBA also runs SubNet, which is the government website that lists available subcontracting jobs. With these types of jobs, you work under a prime contractor, and this can be an easy way to get into government contracting jobs because the prime contractor handles all of the bidding and communication with the federal agency. This allows you to build a contracting resume without having to do any heavy lifting, so to speak.

If you choose to use Federal Contractor Registry to complete your SAM registration or renewal, we also can help you sign up with SBA and discover which set-asides best fit your business. If you qualify as a Super 8a contractor, we also can introduce you to other federal contractors within our FCR Network.

Get Started With Government Contracting

Storm cleanup jobs can be lucrative, but that’s not the only type of government contract jobs that are available. Once you get started with contracting, you will likely find many federal contractor jobs that match your goods and services. If you would like us to complete SAM registration, just click on the green New Registration tab and fill out our quick contact form.

The UEI Number & SAM Registration: 5 Quick Facts

September 5, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you would like to bid on government contracting jobs, registering your company in the System for Award Management is a requirement. Additionally, new registrants need to acquire a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI number, and here are a few important facts about this recent requirement.

The UEI Number Has Replaced DUNS Numbers

In the past, when completing your System For Award Management (SAM) registration, all registrants were required to provide their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. This number was generated by Dun & Bradstreet, a private company, which had a contract with the General Services Administration to provide these numbers.

The DUNS numbers were used, both by government procurement agents as well as business owners, to learn more about the financial stability of a specific company. The transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) from the DUNS Number has been in the works for some time. It’s been a phased transition, with the aim to fully retire the use of the DUNS Number in federal government systems by December 2020. However, mostly because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was extended until April 4, 2022.

The UEI Streamlines The Procurement System

Unlike the DUNS Number, which was assigned by Dun & Bradstreet, the UEI system allows entities to self-assign their identifier, streamlining the process and reducing reliance on a third-party system. One of the main goals of the UEI is to provide a consistent identifier for entities across all federal awarding activities. This includes grants, contracts, and other types of federal financial assistance.

The UEI Improves Accessibility

With the transition to the UEI, the U.S. government aims to make entity data more transparent and accessible. This supports the government’s goals of increasing transparency and accountability in federal spending.

One of the driving forces behind various reforms in U.S. federal procurement and financial assistance has been the desire for increased transparency. By making data on entities that receive federal funds more accessible to the public, the government aims to ensure that taxpayers can see where and how their money is being spent.

SAM provides a wealth of information on registered entities, including details related to their financial and performance capacity, past performance on government contracts and more. With the transition to UEI, the intent is to make this entity data even more transparent and easier to access by the public as well as researchers, journalists and others.

Already Registered? This Step Is Not Necessary

If you have a current or expired SAM registration, then the UEI number already was assigned to you automatically and you won’t need to apply for the UEI. However, it is a good idea to log into SAM and make a note of your unique entity ID for future reference.

Be sure to add the UEI number to your capability statement and any government-related pages on your website. (As a side note, SAM registration expires every year, and if you want to do business with the federal government, we can provide you with fast, accurate SAM renewal services.)

We Can Help Companies Obtain A UEI

At Federal Contractor Registry, we focus on helping companies complete their SAM registration. As part of this service, we provide several value-added features. This includes helping companies that are new to SAM get their UEIs. We can handle this process for you. While it’s not as complicated as SAM registration, it does take some time and we are happy to handle this task as part of our SAM registration services.

Additionally, we also will help you with the SAM notarized letter requirement. During the process of SAM entity registration, all registrants must send a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk, which is the branch of the General Services Administration that handles all issues related to SAM. This letter identifies your company’s entity administrator, which is the individual who is allowed to make any changes to your SAM account.

We also can help small businesses sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA). This includes determining if your business qualifies for any SBA set-asides. The federal government reserves a set portion of its federal contractor jobs just for small businesses, and these are known as set-aside contracts.

There are several different types of set-asides, including 8a certification, HUBZone certification, Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification to name a few. Only companies registered with SBA and that qualify for these set-asides are allowed to bid on these contracts, which can reduce the competition and make it easier for small businesses to grow.

Why Hire A Third Party For SAM.gov Services?

The government charges no fee to apply for a UEI number nor do they charge a fee for SAM registration. So why would you pay someone to complete these tasks? SAM registration is an extremely complicated process that can take 10 to 12 hours to complete (or more).

Hiring a SAM registration expert is essentially just like hiring an accountant to do your taxes. The U.S. tax code is confusing and if you make mistakes, there can be severe penalties. SAM registration is a highly frustrating process, and many people simply give up on the idea of government contracting because of this difficulty.

Hiring an expert ensures that your SAM registration is completed quickly and 100% accurately. This also leaves you free to handle crucial business tasks rather than dealing with the hassle of SAM registration.

Rather than deal with the hassle of SAM registration, obtaining a UEI number and signing up for SBA, the team at Federal Contractor Registry can help with all of these tasks. To get started simply click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our contact form. A member of our team will be in touch as quickly as possible to begin your registration process.

Federal Contractor Jobs: Understanding Teaming Agreements

August 31, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

Subcontracting can be an excellent way to dive into the world of federal contractor jobs. While learning the ropes of subcontracting can be somewhat easier than attempting to win contracts as a prime contractor, it’s essential to familiarize oneself with various intricacies of this field.

Teaming agreements are one important aspect of subcontracting. These agreements not only lay the groundwork for collaboration between a prime contractor and subcontractors but also set the terms, conditions, and expectations for the relationship. Navigating the world of federal contracts without a clear grasp of teaming agreements can lead to missed opportunities and potential pitfalls, making them an indispensable component for anyone considering a role as a subcontractor.

What Is Subcontracting?

Before we explain the intricacies of teaming agreements, let’s first take a quick look at the concept of subcontracting. Subcontracting, in the context of government contracting jobs, refers to the practice where a primary or “prime” contractor delegates a portion of their government contract work to another entity, known as a subcontractor.

Instead of handling all aspects of a federal contract, the prime contractor can collaborate with one or more subcontractors to fulfill certain tasks or deliverables specified in the contract. This joint venture allows prime contractors to leverage the specialized skills, expertise, or resources of subcontractors to meet the comprehensive requirements of the contract.

Recognizing the potential benefits and opportunities this presents, especially for small businesses, the Small Business Administration (SBA) established SubNet. SubNet is a platform where prime contractors can post subcontracting opportunities, and small businesses can search and pursue these openings.

By offering a centralized location for subcontracting opportunities, the SBA’s SubNet facilitates connections between prime contractors and potential subcontractors, streamlining the subcontracting process and promoting participation from a diverse range of businesses.

What Are Teaming Agreements?

Teaming agreements in the context of federal government contracting refer to agreements between two or more companies that decide to join forces and collaborate on a specific government contract opportunity.

These agreements allow team partners to combine their strengths, capabilities, and resources to improve their chances of winning and successfully executing a government contract. They can be particularly advantageous for smaller companies that, on their own, may lack the necessary resources, experience, or capabilities to pursue larger or more complex contracts.

Here are some key points about teaming agreements in federal government contracting:

The Prime Contractor & Subcontractor Relationship: In most teaming agreements, one company will serve as the prime contractor, while the others will be subcontractors. The prime contractor submits the bid to the government and, if awarded the contract, will have the primary responsibility for its execution. The subcontractors will provide specified services, products, or solutions as a part of the contract.

Distribution of Work: The agreement will specify how the work will be divided among the parties. It might delineate responsibilities based on the strengths and expertise of each company. This ensures that each team member has a clear understanding of their role.

Duration & Scope: The teaming agreement should be specific about its duration, usually tied to the length of the particular contract or bid they’re pursuing. The scope of work for each party should also be detailed to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.

Terms & Conditions: Like any other agreement, a teaming agreement will include terms and conditions governing the relationship between the parties, including payment terms, intellectual property rights, confidentiality clauses, and provisions for dispute resolution.

Compliance with Federal Regulations: Federal government contracts often come with specific regulations and requirements. The teaming agreement should ensure that all parties are aware of and agree to comply with these regulations.

Exclusivity: Some teaming agreements may include exclusivity clauses, preventing parties from teaming up with others or bidding independently for the same government contract.

Contingency: Teaming agreements are typically contingent on the prime contractor being awarded the contract. If the government does not award the contract to the prime contractor, the teaming agreement typically becomes null and void.

Benefits to Small Businesses: Teaming can be particularly beneficial for small businesses, including those classified as Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). By teaming up with larger companies, these small businesses can gain access to opportunities they might not be able to pursue on their own.

Teaming agreements in federal government contracting provide a strategic mechanism for companies to collaborate and compete more effectively for government contracts. They allow firms to pool their resources and expertise, enhance their offerings, and meet the specific requirements and standards set by the federal government.

Get Started With SAM Registration

If you plan on bidding on any federal contractors (not as a subcontractor), you will need to register with the System For Award Management (SAM). This database contains pertinent information about all government contractors, and you must have an active listing in the System for Award Management to work for any federal agency.

If you limit yourself to only subcontracting jobs, you may not need to complete your SAM registration. However, some prime contractors might prefer that you have an active SAM registration and if you see any opportunities of interest as a prime contractor, you cannot bid on them unless you have an active SAM account.

The government spends billions of dollars every year on government contracts and while subcontracting can be very lucrative, it’s not the only option for small businesses. Many government contracts are set aside specifically for small business owners, so we do recommend that all business owners complete SAM registration so that they are free to bid on both subcontracting opportunities as well as traditional government contract jobs.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you get started with government contracting by completing your SAM registration quickly and 100% accurately. We also will help you sign up with the SBA and determine if you qualify for any SBA set-asides, such as HUBZone certification or Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification, etc. These types of prime contracts can be much easier to win than larger government contractors because the government must limit the contractors to those that meet the small business set-aside requirements.

In addition to completing your SAM registration and helping you get started with the SBA, we also will help you attain your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is a fairly recent requirement for new SAM registrants. We also will help you prepare the SAM notarized letter, which must be mailed to the Federal Service Desk. This letter identifies your company’s Entity Administrator, which is the person authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

Whether you want to bid on subcontracting jobs or prime federal contractor jobs, we highly recommend completing your SAM registration. While handling SAM registration on your own can be a daunting task, our team of SAM registration specialists can complete the process for you without any hassles or difficulty. If you would like us to complete your SAM registration, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and we will get the process started as quickly as possible.

How To Renew SAM Registration

August 14, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you’ve previously registered with the System for Award Management (SAM), you may or may not know that your SAM registration expires every year. However, many people don’t know how to renew SAM registration, but Federal Contractor Registry can help. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Should You Renew SAM Registration?

Without an active SAM account, you cannot bid on government contracting jobs. Even if you are in the middle of a federal contracting job and your SAM registration expires, and several issues can arise from this situation, including:

Payments from the government may be suspended until SAM registration is renewed. The contracting officer cannot pay an entity without an active SAM record.
Modifications to the existing contract cannot be made until SAM is renewed. This includes changes in payment terms, scope of work, etc.
Renewals or extensions of the current contract may be impacted. Most agencies cannot exercise an option on a contract if SAM is expired.
Bidding on new government contracts is prohibited. SAM registration is required for federal contractors to bid on new opportunities.

Staying on top of SAM renewal is crucial for federal contractors to avoid disruptions. But if a lapse occurs, taking proactive steps can get a contractor back into compliance. If this situation should occur, the contractor will need to take the following steps:

Renew SAM registration as soon as possible. This requires re-verifying entity information and making any necessary updates.
Communicate with the contracting officer. Explain the lapse and projected timeline for renewal. The CO may be able to process payments after validating entity data.
Request modifications be held, or alternate payment plans until SAM is active. This avoids modification issues.

SAM Renewals: DIY or Hire a Pro?

As with SAM registration, many people opt to hire a third-party registration rather than handle this task on their own. SAM renewals are not as cumbersome as the initial SAM registration, but the renewal process still can be time-consuming and confusing.

Additionally, if you make any mistakes during the renewal process, this will delay your approval, which can be costly, particularly if you are in the middle of working on a federal contract or in the middle of the bidding process.

Using a third-party registration service, such as Federal Contractor Registry, ensures that your SAM renewal is handled 100% accurately and as quickly as possible. While we do charge a fee, this can be the easiest way to ensure that your SAM account is up-to-date and ready for approval by the Federal Service Desk.

The good news is that when you renew SAM, a few of the initial registration steps are not needed. For instance, you do not need to send in a new notarized letter, unless your Entity Administrator has changed.

If you have a current SAM registration (active or inactive), you also don’t need to worry about attaining your new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is a number designated specifically for your business and this number replaced the DUNS number requirement that was part of SAM registration for many years. At any rate, only new registrants must apply for a UEI. All those with existing SAM accounts had their number assigned automatically.

If your account already is linked with the Small Business Administration, this step also won’t need to be taken. However, if you have a small business, but your SAM account is not linked to SBA, we can help. As we handle your SAM renewal, we will make sure you are set up correctly with SBA and that these accounts are linked.

For small businesses, registering with the SBA is a must. The SBA has many programs to support small businesses, and many government contracts are set aside just for small businesses. We highly recommend that you take advantage of these SBA programs, and we can help!

When Should You Renew SAM Registration?

When your registration expires, you cannot bid on federal government contracts, however, many government procurement agents won’t select a business if their SAM listing is about to expire. After all, if you don’t renew and your account expires in the middle of a contracting job, this causes problems for the agency.

Additionally, it can take a while for the Federal Service Desk to approve your SAM renewal, so it’s wise to renew about two months in advance of your expiration date. In some cases, a SAM renewal is processed in just 2-3 business days, but if the Federal Service Desk is swamped with requests, this process can take a few weeks. Because you have no way of knowing how busy this agency might be at any given time, it is wise to just renew early.

Renew Your SAM Registration Today!

It can be tough to learn how to renew SAM registration, and if you would prefer to skip the headaches associated with this process, we can help. For SAM renewals, just click on the blue Renew Registration tab on our home page and fill out our quick contact form. If you aren’t quite sure when your SAM registration expires, click on the gold Status Check tab and we will check for your status as quickly as possible, usually within an hour of your request.

SDVOSB Certification & SAM Registration: We Can Help

August 14, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you are a service-disabled veteran that owns a small business, you may be eligible for the SDVOSB certification program. Participation in this program can make it easier to win government contracts, and there are several other benefits, as well. Let’s take a quick look at SDVOSB certification and how it can help your business.

What Is SDVOSB Certification?

SDVOSB stands for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. The SDVOSB certification is part of a program established by the US federal government to help service-disabled veteran business owners gain access to exclusive contracting opportunities.

This certification provides various benefits that can make it attractive for eligible businesses to apply. This program used to be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but it is now consolidated within the Small Business Administration along with other small business programs. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider SDVOSB certification:

Exclusive Contracting Opportunities

A significant portion of federal contracting dollars is set aside specifically for businesses that have SDVOSB certification. Federal agencies have a goal to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and other types of small businesses. This translates to billions of dollars in potential contracts that are exclusively available to SDVOSB-certified businesses.

These special contracts are known as set-aside contracts, because they are set aside specifically for small businesses. Even if you don’t qualify as a SDVOSB, there are set asides for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), HUBZone certifications, 8a certification and more. The team at Federal Contractor Registry can help determine which designations are the best fit for your business.

Competitive Advantage

Being SDVOSB-certified provides a competitive advantage when seeking federal contracts. If your business competes for a contract against businesses that do not have SDVOSB certification, your certification might make a difference in winning the contract.

Sole Source Contracts

In some cases, federal agencies can award sole source contracts to SDVOSB businesses. This means that the contract can be awarded without a competitive bidding process, which can be a significant advantage for SDVOSB-certified businesses.

Public Image & Corporate Responsibility

Being recognized as a service-disabled veteran-owned business can enhance your company’s public image. Many consumers and businesses prefer to do business with companies that support veterans and being SDVOSB-certified is a clear way to demonstrate this support. It also can demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility.

Access to Resources & Support

SDVOSB-certified businesses can also gain access to resources and support, including business training, counseling, and financial assistance, through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network of Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs).

To apply for SDVOSB certification, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The certification process involves an evaluation of the business and its owners to verify eligibility.

The process of obtaining SDVOSB certification can be rigorous, but the potential benefits in terms of exclusive contracting opportunities, competitive advantages, and access to resources and support make it a worthwhile consideration for any service-disabled veteran-owned small business. While it can be tricky to get certified, the team at Federal Contractor Registry can help, and that’s not the only service we provide.

SDVOSB Certification & SAM Registration Assistance

If you wish to bid on any federal contractor jobs, you must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). This is the central database for all government contractors. Even if you’ve already received your SDVOSB certification, if you want to do business with the federal government, you still must complete SAM registration.

What Is Government Contracting? Is It Right For You?

July 24, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

No matter what type of goods or services your business provides, your company could be a good fit for government contracting. But what is government contracting and what does it entail? We’ve created a short overview to give you a general idea of government contracting and how it can benefit your business.

There are more than 400 federal government agencies in the United States, and all of these agencies receive the bulk of their goods and services from the private sector. Every agency has contracting officers known as procurement agents and these individuals are responsible for purchasing whatever good or service their agency needs.

Unlike in the private sector, where goods and services can be purchased as needed and often fairly quickly, government contracts are more formal, and it tends to take much longer for the government to award these contracts. This time constraint might seem discouraging, but, keep in mind, the government operates using our tax dollars, so it’s crucial that they follow procedures and select vendors wisely.

The First Step – SAM Registration

The System for Award Management (SAM) is a database run by the Federal Service Desk and this database includes information regarding all government contractors. You must have an active listing in this database in order to do business with any federal agency. We can help you with this part of the process, but first let’s take a look at what types of businesses are the best fit for government contracting.

Should You Bid On Government Contracts?

Before you dive into the world of government contracting, it is wise to see if there is a need for your products or services. To get a quick idea, head to SAM.gov and search for the Contract Opportunities tab. Then click on the Advanced Search tab and use the Product or Service Code search bar and enter your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. If you don’t know your codes, you can find them at Census.gov.

For instance, if you are a painting contractor, your NAICS code would be 23832. A quick recent search at SAM.gov shows more than 70 potential contracts from agencies including the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Forest Service and many others. While these might not all be convenient to your location, it illustrates that there is a need for your services.

Keep in mind, in addition to federal contracting jobs, you also can bid on state contracting jobs, and these can be just as lucrative as federal contractor jobs. You also can bid on contracts in other states, so if you are near a state border or can provide goods or services to multiple states, this might be a good option.

Types of Government Contracts

Here are a few of the types of contracts issued by the U.S. federal government. Keep in mind, there are other contract opportunities, such as sole-source contracts and GSA schedules (also known as GSA contracts).

Fixed-Price Contracts – The government pays an agreed-upon amount, regardless of the contractor’s costs. This places maximum risk on the contractor to control costs.

Cost-Reimbursement Contracts – The government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred. The contractor has less financial risk but the government pays more if costs escalate.

Incentive Contracts – The contractor is reimbursed for costs and receives additional payment (incentive) for meeting/exceeding targets like quality, schedule, cost savings, etc.

Time and Materials Contracts – The contractor is paid for labor hours expended and materials used. Widely used but less favored due to less cost control.

Indefinite Delivery Contracts – Provide an indefinite quantity of supplies/services during a fixed period. Orders are placed against the contract on an as-needed basis.

Federal Supply Schedule Contracts – Provide access to pre-negotiated contracts with firms to provide commonly-used supplies/services at discounted pricing.

Blanket Purchase Agreements – Simplify ordering from Federal Supply Schedule contractors when there is a recurring need for supplies or services.

The type of federal contract depends on factors like the project scope, complexity, performance risks, and degree of price competition. Most federal government contracts contain elements of more than one contract type.

If you are a small business, you also could get started as a government contractor by working as a subcontractor. The prime contractor handles all of the back and forth with contracting officers, but you gain experience and begin building a contracting resume.

Small businesses also should sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and take advantage of this agency’s many helpful programs. In addition to SBA loans and business mentoring, the SBA has many certifications that can make it easier to compete for and win government contracts. These include 8a certification, HUBZone certification and designations such as a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB). The SBA also runs SubNet, which is the government database for subcontracting opportunities.

Get Started With SAM Registration

SAM registration is a complicated process that can take many hours. In fact, it can take 10 or more hours, to wade through complicated government-speak such as federal acquisition regulations, etc. If you find yourself becoming frustrated with the process or simply want to hand over the work to a SAM specialist, the team at Federal Contractor Registry is here to help.

While the government does not charge for SAM registration, many people opt to pay a third-party registration service to avoid the hassle and difficulty of the registration process, much like you would hire an accountant to complete your taxes. We can complete our SAM registration or SAM renewal quickly and 100% accurately.

We also will help you sign up with the SBA, if applicable. We also will help you attain your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and help with the notarized letter requirement. These latter two issues are relatively new in the world of SAM and can be a bit confusing, but we can help make this process much easier.

Hopefully, this blog has provided some answers to the questions regarding what is government contracting. If you would like to use our services for SAM registration, just head to our homepage and click on the New Registration tab. We will gather some crucial information about your business and get started on your registration as quickly as possible.

SAM Registration: Your Gateway To Disaster Relief Jobs

July 24, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

Every year, the United States government provides disaster relief and recovery services to its states and territories. To support these services, the government hires civilian contractors for a variety of disaster relief jobs. These jobs can be a great way to expand your business and boost profits, and we can help you with the first step – System for Award Management (SAM) registration.

What Is SAM Registration?

The System for Award Management, usually just called SAM, is a database that includes information about every federal contractor and if you want to work with any federal agencies, you must register with SAM and gain approval.

SAM registration is a complicated process that can take as must as 10 or more hours to complete. While the government does not charge a fee to register in SAM, many people will hire a third-party registration service to complete the process simply to avoid the hassles and headaches associated with SAM registration.

Unfortunately, the complexities of SAM registration often discourage business owners from trying government contracting. However, if you have goods or services that the government needs on a regular basis, signing up with SAM can be a smart business decision.

While obtaining government contract jobs can be an arduous process, these are highly profitable and, unlike companies in the private sector, the government always pays its contractors. Additionally, the government will always need goods and supplies, even during a recession or difficult economic times.

This is especially true with disaster relief jobs, and disasters can strike at any time and the aftermath must be handled. Cleanup, medical care, temporary housing and other services must be available when disaster strikes. While we never want a disaster to occur, providing help after a disaster occurs can be an excellent and recession-proof way to increase your profits.

Understanding Disaster Relief Jobs

When you think about disaster relief jobs, you probably typically think about contacting opportunities within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but that’s not the only organization that might need goods or services related to disaster relief. While FEMA contractor jobs are plentiful, other agencies also help with disaster relief and recovery.

Federal government contracting jobs are just one option to consider, as there are many state government contracting opportunities, as well. For instance, every state and territory has its own disaster relief agency, typically known as its Office of Emergency Services. Cities and counties also have these agencies or divisions, as well, and will use civilian contractors to provide the goods and services they need for disaster relief.

Additionally, the types of goods and services needed might surprise you. Obviously, debris removal services and emergency medical supplies are needed, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what government agencies need, both to help out when a disaster occurs as well as for day-to-day functioning and management.

For instance, FEMA needs supplies such as copy paper, computer equipment, furniture and everything else necessary to run offices. They also will need many services, such as repair services and security services. We did a recent perusal of the SAM.gov website to see what types of contracts were available and this included everything from mobile shredding services to routers to painting services and much more.

When a disaster occurs, FEMA also will need to have supplies on hand, so FEMA offers what are known as FEMA Advance Contracts. These contracts ensure that FEMA has supplies (bottled water, food, medical supplies, generators) on hand as well as service providers, such as emergency response providers, air and ground ambulances, inspectors and more.

Keep in mind, your goods and services also might be needed by many other agencies, and not just those that provide disaster relief. There are hundreds of government (and state) agencies out there and all of them need support from government contractors.

You can get a better idea if your goods and services are needed by doing a quick search on SAM.gov. Click on the Contract Opportunities tab and select the Advance Search options. This allows you to search by agency or by Product and Service Information. We recommend the latter as this will be an exact match for your specific goods and services.

Once you reach this point, you will need to enter your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These can be found at Census.gov and they describe the types of goods and services that businesses provide.

Contact Us For SAM Registration Services

As we stated above, many business owners or managers simply hire experienced, third-party SAM registration services to complete the SAM process. Again, we know that the government charges no fees for SAM registration, but it’s a complicated and frustrating process. Sometimes it’s simply easier to let an expert handle these types of tasks, just as you would hire an accountant to handle your taxes.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we will complete your SAM registration quickly and 100% accurately. We also will help you acquire your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is a new requirement with SAM registration. In previous years, the government required you to list your DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number, but that was phased out recently and the UEI has taken its place.

Additionally, we also can help you sign up with the Small Business Administration and let you know if your business qualifies for any of their special contracting programs, which are known as set-aside procurements. The government sets aside a portion of all contracting dollars just for small businesses, and we can help you find the programs that match your company.

We also will help you get started with the notarized letter requirement that is part of SAM registration. Every new registrant must send a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk listing the person who is allowed to make changes to your SAM account. This person is known as the Entity Administrator.

Whether you want to bid on disaster relief jobs or any type of federal contractor jobs, SAM registration is a required first step. If you would like us to complete your SAM registration, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, complete our quick contact form and a registration specialist will be in touch as soon as possible to get started on your registration.