CAGE Code

Government contracting jobs can provide you with a great way to build up your business but learning the ropes of contracting can be tough. At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you with the first step toward becoming a federal contractor – SAM registration, but we also have a few essential tips that can help you acquire your first contracting job.

 

1. Research Government Agencies

Before you take any steps toward becoming a federal contractor, it’s wise to see if your specific goods and services often are needed by federal agencies. The government needs just about every imaginable good and service, but some companies are a better fit than others, so do some research to see if contracting seems to be a profitable option for you.

 

To get started, you can do a quick search at Beta.SAM.gov, which is a search engine for government contracting that is run by the Federal Service Desk (an agency within the General Services Administration).  There are several ways to search for contracting jobs, but we typically recommend using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.

 

NAICS codes describe the types of goods and services a company provides. You can search for your NAICS codes at https://www.census.gov/naics/. If you opt to hire us for SAM registration, we also can help you find the best code matches. Once you have your codes, you can search for potential jobs.

 

You may find that many agencies need your goods and services, and we recommend that you research each agency and learn a bit about how the agency works to see if you might be a good fit. Read through some of the bid proposals to determine if you can provide what the agency needs.

 

2. Learn About Requests For Information & Respond

In the world of government contracting, you will be introduced to a completely new vocabulary that we like to call government-speak. This includes a plethora of acronyms and special terms, and two of these Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Information (RFIs) are important to learn about.

 

An RFP is a request that a government procurement agent sends out to ask federal contractors to send in their bid proposals for a specific contracting job. These typically are several pages long and include the type of contract, timetable for job completion, the value of the contract, etc. However, sometimes those procurement agents are quite sure what they need, how much it will cost, how quickly goods and services can be delivered or completed and other details.

 

When this occurs, the agency sends out a Request for Information, and any federal contractor can respond and describe how they could provide whatever goods and services might be needed. If you see an RFI out there and you think your company could be a good fit, we highly recommend that you respond to these requests. While responding to an RFI doesn’t guarantee that you will win the final contract, it can make it easier because you’ve already made contact and shown that you have a solution to the agency’s issues.

 

3. Sign Up With The Small Business Administration

Whether you have one employee or hundreds of employees, you may qualify as a small business. If so, we highly recommend that you sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA can provide you with loans and grants as well as helpful information to help you build up your business.

 

When it comes to government contracting, you may qualify for what are known as SBA “set asides.” The federal government sets aside a portion of its yearly contracting budget for qualifying small businesses, which means that small business owners have a better shot at winning certain types of government contracts. To learn more about set asides and what the SBA has to offer federal contractors, go to SBA.gov. You also can check to see if your business qualifies as a small business at https://www.sba.gov/document/support–table-size-standards.

 

4. Create A Federal Contractor Marketing Plan

Marketing your goods and services with the federal government is quite different from working within the private sector. For one thing, federal agencies aren’t concerned with making a profit, they simply exist to provides services for American citizens and to keep the government running as efficiently as possible. Additionally, using contractors also serves as a way to help boost businesses.

 

When you start marketing for government agencies, you will need to create what is known as a capability statement, which is essentially a federal contractor resume. Your capability statement should include the usual contact information, as well as your NAICS codes and information such as your Product Service Codes (similar to NAICS codes) and your CAGE Code. This code is the unique identifier assigned to your company once your SAM registration is approved.

 

Additionally, you will need sections on your capability statement such as Past Performance and Differentiators. Past Performance is basically a list of your previous clients and Differentiators is a list of what sets you apart from other similar businesses. For instance, perhaps your company has many years of experience, perhaps you are family-owned, etc.

 

There are many examples of good capability statements on the internet, and there are even companies that will create a statement for you. We recommend adding it to your website and even creating a page just for government contracting. Procurement agents can head to this page to learn more about your company and how you can serve government agencies.

 

Additionally, sign up with your state procurement system. There are many lucrative contracts available at the state level, and state governments often host workshops and other events to help a federal contractor or state contractor learn more about contracting in general and the best ways to market their business to government agencies.

 

5. Consider Subcontracting

If you are a smaller business, working with “prime contractors” can be a great way to get started with government contracting. The prime contractor is the company that bids on and wins the contract and then they use smaller businesses to help them complete a contracting job. Many prime contractors are required to use small businesses as subcontractors in order to win a contract.

 

As the subcontractor, you will not have to deal with contracts or procurement agents, only with the Prime Contractor, which can be much easier than trying to figure out all of the ins and outs of government contracting when you are just getting started. The SBA has a search engine for subcontracting at https://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm, and you can take a look and see if any of these jobs fit your goods and services.

 

Get Help With SAM Registration Now!

At Federal Contractor Registry, we complete System for Award Management (SAM) registrations for hundreds of companies every year. This includes small businesses as well as Fortune 500 firms and everything in between.

 

While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, many people hire a service like ours to complete the SAM registration process which can be difficult and time-consuming. In fact, it can take more than 10 hours to complete the registration process and, if you make any mistakes, this can delay your approval.

 

It just makes sense to hire an expert to complete your SAM registration (and SAM renewals), and we can help. We liken ourselves to accountants because, while you can complete your taxes on your own, it’s time-consuming and difficult and if you make any mistakes, those can be costly. It’s often best to simply hire an expert for these types of tasks.

 

To get started on your path as a federal contractor, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. A registration specialist will be in touch as soon as possible to gather your information and get started on your SAM registration.

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While government contracting can be lucrative, there are some steps you must take before you are eligible to bid on government contracts and this includes having a CAGE code assigned to your business. If you are wondering how to get a CAGE code, we can help. Here’s a quick look at CAGE codes and the process.

 

What Is A CAGE Code?

CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity, and a unique CAGE code is assigned to all businesses and individuals that complete their System for Award Management (SAM) registration. This “system” is a database that contains information about all active government contractors.

 

SAM registration is the process that you must complete to get your CAGE code, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. The application is lengthy and filled with government-speak and can take 10, 12 or more hours to complete. While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, many people opt to hire a third-party SAM registration service to complete this task.

 

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately, so that you can receive your CAGE code as soon as possible. We compare ourselves to accountants because, while you could complete your taxes on your own for free, tax forms can be complicated and mistakes are costly, so it just makes sense to hire a pro.

 

Beyond Your CAGE Code

While learning how to get a CAGE code is important, this is just a jumping-off point for new government contractors. You also need to complete a few other tasks before you will be ready to start bidding on contracts. These tasks include:

 

Send in a notarized letter – The Federal Service Desk, the government agency that manages SAM and assigns CAGE codes, requires all new registrants to send in a notarized letter listing their SAM account’s Entity Administrator. This is the person at your company that is authorized to make changes to your SAM account. You can find more information about this letter at https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016652&sys_kb_id=df025fd01b9d3cd42fe5ed7ae54bcb2c&spa=1.

 

In the past, you could not get approval for your SAM registration until the Federal Service Desk received and approved this letter. This is no longer the case, as the agency had so many letters to process that they were falling behind with SAM registrations and renewals. However, this is still a requirement, so be sure to get this step done as quickly as possible.

 

Sign up with the Small Business Administration – If you qualify as a small business, the SBA has many programs to help grow your business as well as offering tips for government contracting. You also might qualify for special set aside contracts, that are reserved only for small businesses or perhaps for the 8(a) Business Development Program. To sign up and learn more about 8a contracts and other SBA programs, just go to SBA.gov.

 

Find contracting opportunities – You can take a look at what’s available contract-wise at Beta.SAM.gov. This website includes a search engine for contracting opportunities, and you can search using keywords or use the Advanced Search option and search using multiple parameters, such as using NAICS codes, set asides, location and more.

 

Hire some help – While Beta.SAM.gov can be a good place to look for government contracting jobs, it’s not your only option. Additionally, while you might now understand how to get a CAGE code, there is still a lot to learn about government contracting. The bidding process varies and can be very complicated. There are several private companies that you can hire to find contracts and help you win bids. This can be a great way to get started with contracting and you can kind of learn the ropes from people who are experts at creating proposals and winning contracts.

 

Consider subcontracting – Prime Contractors are huge companies that win the largest government contracts. In order to win these contracts, they often are required to use subcontractors, usually small businesses. This can be a great option when you are just getting started because the Prime Contractor handles all the details, and you can kind of learn the process from them. You can search for subcontracting opportunities at https://eweb1.sba.gov/subnet/client/dsp_Landing.cfm.

 

Create a Capability Statement – This is a resume specifically designed for government contracting. While it is a “resume,” the sections on this document differ from the typical resume for an individual. To learn more about Capability Statements, you can hire a company that specializes in creating these documents or check out our article here. (PLEASE LINK “here” to Article 72 – How To Create A Killer Capability Statement.)

 

Create a webpage for government contracting – If you have a website (and you should), add a page just for government contracting. You can include your Capability Statement on this page as well as a quick look at what you can provide for government agencies. This can give you an extra edge over the competition as procurement agents will see this as a sign of your professionalism.

 

Sign up for state government contracting – While the federal government offers an abundance of federal contractor jobs, there’s more out there than just DOD contracts and FEMA disaster jobs. Every state government needs goods and services from the private sector, and we highly recommend that you sign up with your state’s procurement agency.

 

Technically, you can sign up with any state’s procurement agency, but it’s often best to just start with your state at first. Circling back to how to get a CAGE code, you will need to provide that CAGE code for state government contracting.  So, even if you plan to simply stick with state government contract jobs, you still need to complete SAM registration and get that CAGE code.

 

Don’t forget to renew your SAM registration – SAM registration expires every year, so you need to update and renew your application each year. We highly recommend that you complete your SAM renewal several months ahead of the expiration date as procurement agents often won’t select companies that are close to their expiration date. We offer SAM renewal services if you don’t feel comfortable handling this task on your own.

 

We hope this blog has helped you understand how to get a CAGE code as well as some basics about government contracting. If you would like us to help you get a CAGE code and complete your SAM registration, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, fill out our quick contact form and a SAM registration specialist will be in touch quickly to gather some information and get started on your registration.

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The world of government contracting can be confusing, and many people are overwhelmed by the process. Many people are confused by some of the terminology related to contracting, such as CAGE codes and SAM registration, so we wanted to provide you with some helpful information for contracting beginners.

1. SAM Registration Is The First Step
Whether you want to work as a FEMA contractor, apply for DOD contracts or work for another federal agency, you must have an active SAM registration. SAM stands for System for Award Management and it’s simply a database listing all government contractors. There are two ways to complete SAM registration – you can do it yourself or hire a third-party registration service.

The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, but the process is complicated and time-consuming. Many people spend 10 or more hours trying to figure out the application, and sometimes people simply give up and forget about government contracting jobs because it all seems too complicated.

If you’ve been struggling with SAM registration or you simply don’t want to deal with the hassle, we are one of those third-party registration sites and you can hire us to complete the SAM registration for you. This is similar to hiring an accountant to complete your taxes. Tax forms can be complicated, and it often just makes more sense to hire a tax expert. It’s just the same with SAM registration.

2. After SAM Approval, You’ll Receive A CAGE Code
Whether you use our SAM registration service or go it alone, once your SAM registration is approved, you will receive a Corporate and Government Entities Code or CAGE Code. This is simply your unique identifier in SAM. Just like your social security number identifies you to the Internal Revenue Service, your CAGE Code is your identifier as an approved government contractor.

It can take a few weeks to gain approval from the Federal Service Desk, the agency which manages SAM, but occasionally, they will approve you in just a few days. Basically, if the Federal Service Desk is busy, it will take longer, but usually, it’s just a few weeks for SAM registration approval and often less.

3. All Government Agencies Ask For Your CAGE Code
While all federal agencies will require your CAGE Code as your bid on jobs, state, county and local government agencies will ask for this information if you bid on their contracts.

While federal government contracting can be very lucrative, state and local governments also offer contracts and these can be just as worthwhile. Every state has a variety of agencies and they all need help from private businesses.

We highly recommend that you sign up with your state procurement agency. Technically, you can bid on jobs in other states, as well, but it’s often easier to get started with your state first. To find your state’s procurement agency, just do a quick internet search with your state name and the word “procurement,” and select the option with the .gov extension.

Not only can you find excellent state contracting jobs, but these also can be easier to attain than federal jobs, where there might be more competition. Additionally, state procurement agencies and procurement agents often host workshops and events for contractors where you can learn more about contracting and make some contacts within state agencies.

4. You Need To Keep Your SAM Registration Current
SAM registration is important, but you cannot forget about SAM renewal. Your SAM registration expires one year to the day after you were approved, but you should never wait until the last minute to gain approval. For one thing, while SAM approval is usually quick, sometimes there’s a backlog and it could take a few weeks to gain approval and your registration could expire.

If your registration expires, no government agency is authorized to work with you, even if you are in the middle of a contracting job. Many agencies won’t even award contracts to companies nearing their expiration date, so it’s best to handle SAM renewal a few months early. We can provide you with SAM renewal services if you don’t wish to do this alone. It’s not as lengthy a process as a new SAM registration, but it can be complicated, so contact us if you want to use our service instead.

5. Sign Up With The Small Business Administration
If your company qualifies as a small business, and many do, it is crucial that you sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA). In addition to qualifying as a general small business, you may qualify for a special type of small business known as a set-aside.

The government sets aside a portion of its federal contracting dollars specifically for small businesses. In some cases, these are just for general small businesses, and sometimes for these special set-aside businesses. There are many categories of set-asides, including woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone set aside and 8(a) contracts.

A HUBZone is a “historically underutilized business” zone, and these are located all over the country. Some are in urban areas, while others are rural or on Native American reservations. In some cases, areas hit by a natural disaster or some other type of disaster might be temporary HUBZones. Basically, the government is trying to boost the economy in these special areas. To see if your business is located in a HUBZone, go to https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map.

8(a) contracts are another option for small businesses, and this is a category specifically for disadvantaged small businesses. In general, if you belong to a group that historically has been socially or economically disadvantaged due to race, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, etc., you may qualify for this program. To learn more, go to https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/8a-business-development-program#section-header-2.

These are just a few facts about CAGE Codes, SAM registration and government contracting to get you started. You can take a look through our blog library to find further helpful information about government contracting. If you need help with SAM registration, just head to our homepage and click on the green New Registration tab.

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Business owners often are encouraged to consider bidding on federal contractor jobs. While these can be beneficial and lucrative for many companies, they aren’t a perfect fit for every company. To determine if your company might be a good match with government contracting, we’ve created this handy guide.

1. Is There A Government Demand For Your Goods & Services?
When people think about federal contractor jobs, those lucrative defense contracts or large construction contracts might spring to mind or even natural disaster clean up jobs, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

There are hundreds of federal government agencies and offices (as well as state government agencies) that need goods and services and they look to the private sector to fulfill those needs. Agencies need everything from elevator repair to janitorial services to office supplies and much more.

Federal agencies often search for potential government contractors using NAICS codes. This stands for North American Industry Classification codes. They also may search using Product Service Codes, which are known simply as PSCs. The codes describe the types of goods and services a company might provide, and there are codes for virtually every business imaginable.

For instance, if you manufacture infants’ clothing, the corresponding NAICS code is 31524. If you produce brooms and mops, that code is 339994. If your company manufactures tortillas, that code is 31183. If your company provides human resources consulting services, that code is 541612. Literally, there is a code for just about everything.

Now, while there is a code for every type of business, that doesn’t mean that there is always a demand for those goods or services. We recommend that you head to Beta.SAM.gov and take a quick look at whether or not your codes seem to be in play.

Even if you don’t find anything, that doesn’t mean there’s never a need for your goods and services, but some types of companies will always be in need while others are less likely to strike a match. Getting back to that tortilla manufacturer, we ran that code in Beta.SAM.gov and found one match from the Department of Defense.

So, it’s worth taking a look before you pass on government contracting. While just one single opportunity might not be enough to entice you, it simply illustrates that there is a lot out there up for grabs.

Not only do you need to check and see if there are opportunities for your specific industry, but you also need to read over the job opportunities and ensure that your company could handle the requirements of the job. In some cases, you will be a perfect match, but in other cases, you might not have the production capabilities outlined in the contract.

2. Are You Prepared For SAM Registration?
If you want to bid on federal contractor jobs, your first step is to complete your SAM registration. This stands for the System for Award Management and it’s a huge database that lists all government contractors. Once you complete SAM registration and are approved as a contractor, you will receive a Commercial and Government Entities (CAGE) Code. This code is essential as all government agencies, federal and at state (or even county and local levels) will ask for this code.

SAM registration is the first hurdle in the race for government contract jobs and, unfortunately, it can be a pretty significant hurdle for many people to leap over, so to speak. The government does not charge a SAM registration fee, but many people often become so frustrated with the process that they give up and forget about government contracting.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can leap over this step for you. We are a third-party SAM registration service, and we complete hundreds of SAM registrations every year for companies large and small. We do, of course, charge a fee for our services, but we can help you through the complicated SAM registration process, and once you have completed that, you are eligible to bid on contracts.

Here’s what we need to complete your SAM registration:
• Your DUNS number (If you don’t have one or aren’t sure about your number, go to www.DNB.com)
• Your Employer Identification Number (located on your business tax forms)
• Your company’s physical address (not a PO Box)
• Basic contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
• Your business checking account number & bank routing number (this is the account government agencies will use to pay you)

If you know your NAICS codes and PSCs, give us those as well. If you don’t, then we can chat about your goods and services and we will determine those codes for you. While we are taking care of your SAM registration, you will need to send the government a notarized letter listing your Entity Administrator, which is simply the person authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

To learn more about this letter and grab a template, go to FSD.gov. At the top of the page, go to Top Help Topics, under that, you will see a section for SAM and a section entitled “Notarized Letter – Notarized Letter Requirement (Domestic).” This will lead you to a section with links to a template for this letter. Follow the instructions exactly and send in the letter as soon as possible.

3. Can You Devote Some Time To Government Contracting?
While SAM registration is crucial, it’s just one step. If you find that there seem to be many opportunities, you might want to devote an employee to handling government contracting tasks. This person can do everything from creating a Capability Statement (a kind of resume for government contractors) to researching the types of government contracts and how to bid or create proposals.

This can be complicated, but there are resources out there to help. If you qualify as a small business, the Small Business Administration can be a great place to start. To see if you qualify as a small business, you can go to https://www.sba.gov/size-standards. You will need to know your NAICS codes for this process, and we can help you find those during the SAM registration process if you wish.

If you do qualify as a small business, and many do, this creates even more opportunities. The government sets aside a portion of federal contracting dollars just for small businesses. Typically, jobs worth $150,000 or less all go to small businesses and sometimes larger contracts.

While the process for small businesses and government contracting might be a tad simpler than for large prime contractors, there is still a lot to learn about the process. It is not unusual for it to take 18 months to two years to earn your first government contract. Typically, once you earn that first contracting, it becomes easier to earn future contracts, but you need to know, going in, that you don’t just complete SAM registration, fill out a couple of applications and immediately get a contract.

It takes time to learn how to bid and it also takes time for many government agencies to even make decisions about who will earn these federal contractor jobs. The upside is that the government always pays its bills. It simply takes longer for them to pay. Also, even when economic conditions are unstable, the government still needs contractors even if you have fewer opportunities in the private sector.

Are Federal Contractor Jobs Worth The Effort?
If you find that your company provides goods and services that seem to be in demand by multiple government agencies and you have the time and resources to learn about government contracting, then we highly recommend that you complete SAM registration.

Federal contractor jobs can be highly lucrative and definitely can help you build up your business. Don’t forget to sign up with your state procurement office, as well, as state governments also need government contractors. In some cases, it can be easier to earn state contractor jobs and these can be just as lucrative.

Whether you want to bid on state or federal contractor jobs, your SAM registration must be completed and approved. If you want us to handle this arduous process, you can click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage or give us a call at (800) 985-7658. We can quickly and accurately complete your SAM registration (or SAM renewal) so that you are approved and ready to bid on contracts as soon as possible.

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If you are a small business owner, you are always looking for ways to expand your company. Government contract jobs can be an excellent option to consider, but many people simply don’t know how to get started with contracting and we can help.

Get Started With SAM Registration
The first step that any potential government contractor must take is to complete their System for Award Management (SAM) registration. SAM is a huge database that lists all government contractors.

After you register with SAM and are approved, you will receive what is known as a Corporate and Government Entities (CAGE) Code. Until you have your CAGE Code, you cannot do business with the federal government or any state government agency, as these agencies also require you to have a CAGE Code.

The government does not charge a fee to register with SAM, but the registration process is complicated and confusing. It can take more than 10 hours to wade through the government-speak and complete the process. This is why many companies hire us, a third-party registration service, to complete their SAM registration.

We do charge a fee, just as an accountant charges a fee to do your taxes, but we handle hundreds of SAM registrations each year and can quickly and accurately complete your registration so that you are ready to start bidding on contracting jobs.

Of course, while SAM registration is complicated, it’s not the only complicated part of becoming a government contractor. Learning the ropes can be tough, but the following information can give you a leg up over other businesses.

The SBA & Government Contracting
The Small Business Administration was created to help small businesses grow and succeed. The SBA can help you with start-up loans, helpful business advice and government contractor jobs.

The government pays contractors billions of dollars every year, and a portion of all contracting dollars are set aside specifically for small businesses. These contracts are known as “set asides” and there are several different types.

Woman-Owned Small Business Set Asides – As the name suggests, these are government contractor jobs set aside for businesses owned 51% or more by a woman or women.

Veteran-Owned Small Business Set Asides – There are two set aside categories here. One for general veteran-owned businesses and one for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. In both cases at least 51% of the ownership must belong to a veteran or service-disabled veteran.

8 (a) Business Development Set Asides – The 8 (a) Business Development Program was set up to support many different types of “disadvantaged” small businesses. In order to be considered for this program, you must own a small business and fit the following criteria:
• The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens who are economically and socially disadvantaged.
• The business must be owned by someone whose personal net worth is $750,000 or less
• The business must be owned by someone whose average adjusted gross income for three years is $350,000.
• The business must be owned by someone with $6 million or less in assets
• The owner must manage day-to-day operations and also make long-term decisions
• The company principals must demonstrate good character
• The company must show potential for success and be able to perform successfully on contracts

While some of these qualifications are straightforward, let’s take a look at some of the more ambiguous requirements. For instance, if you want to bid on 8(a) contracts, you must be majority-owned by a citizen that is economically or socially disadvantaged. But what does this mean?

According to the federal government, economically or socially disadvantaged refers to individuals “who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. The social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.”

This includes people from many races and ethnic origins, but also can refer to gender, sexual orientation or a physical disability. Basically, if you can prove that you are part of group or groups that has faced prejudice or bias based upon something about which you had no control, you should qualify.

HUBZone Set Asides – Sometimes your business location qualifies you for a set aside. If your company headquarters are located in an Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), you may qualify for this set aside.

There are HUBZones in all 50 states as well as U.S. territories. For instance, if a business is located on a Native American reservation, these are considered HUBZones. Many inner-city neighborhoods qualify for HUBZone benefits as well as some rural areas.

In some cases, an area might be temporarily designated as a HUBZone. For instance, if a natural disaster such as a tornado or hurricane or fire destroys a town or business district, this might be tagged as a HUBZone because the government will be trying to improve the economy in this area. To see if your business is located in a HUBZone and meets HUBZone requirements, go to https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map#center=39.828200,-98.579500&zoom=5.

Even if you don’t fit the criteria for these set asides, you can still register with the SBA as a general small business so it’s smart for any small business owner to sign up with the SBA. Anytime a government agency has a contract that is worth $150,000 or less, these almost always are awarded to small businesses. While a big company might not think much about a $150,000 contracting job, this could be a huge win for a small business.

Finding Government Contractor Jobs
Once you’ve registered with SAM and the SBA, there are several ways to find contracts. You can go to Beta.SAM.gov and search all contracting opportunities or you can go to the SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search at https://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm.

With the SBA’s search, you can search for government contract jobs by state or zip code, and also by set asides. If you don’t qualify for any set asides, you can search for jobs using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes. These codes describe the specific goods and services you provide, and we can help determine your codes as we complete your SAM registration. In the SBA search, you can search using a single criterion or use several criteria to really narrow down the search to options that suit your business.

Don’t forget to sign up with your state government’s procurement system, as well. State governments also set aside some government contract jobs for small businesses, and these can be just as lucrative as federal contracting jobs. To find your state’s procurement website, do an internet search with your state name and the word “procurement.” Look for a website with the .gov extension and you will have found your state’s procurement agency.

Learn All You Can About Government Contracting
There are many different types of government contracts and there are also different bidding processes. Learning about these is crucial if you want to be successful at contracting. The SBA offers many helpful guides and articles about contracting, and you can start there, but you also can sign up with your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). There are a few private companies that offer courses about government contracting, which might helpful.

Get Started Now
Government contractor jobs can be a lucrative option for many companies, and if you want to get started bidding on government contract jobs, we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately. Once you are approved, you will be eligible to bid on contracts. You can contact us by phone at (800) 985-7658 or by clicking on the green New Registration tab on our homepage.

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Government contracting can be an ideal way to grow your business. Every government agency (and there are hundreds) needs goods and services, and they look to the private sector to fulfill these needs. While it takes some time to learn how to bid on and acquire government contracting jobs, it’s usually worth the effort as this can provide you with a recession-proof stream of revenue. Here are some quick facts about contracting and how to get started.

1. Small Businesses Have An Edge
The government spends billions each year on government contracts, and some of these contracts are set aside specifically for small businesses. A company can qualify in general as a small business or it might fit into additional categories, known as Set Asides.

There are Set Asides for woman-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses and several other categories. In general, if your business is located in an underutilized area or you belong to a group that historically has been the target of discrimination, your small business probably qualifies for some type of Set Aside.

When you think about small businesses, you might think of a company with just a handful of employees, but many larger businesses still qualify as a small business. To see if your business qualifies, either as a general small business or for a specific Set Aside, head to the Small Business Administration website at SBA.gov.

2. The Federal Government Isn’t Your Only Option
Every state government and many county and city governments also offer government contracting jobs. Once you’ve completed your System for Award Management (SAM) registration, you will be eligible to bid on all levels of government contractor jobs.

SAM is a centralized database that includes all government contractors. Once you complete the lengthy SAM registration process and are approved by the Federal Service Desk, which oversees SAM, you with be issued what is known as a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. Once you have your CAGE code you can sign up with your state government and work as a contractor for them, as well.

3. There Is Something For Every Type Of Business
No matter what type of business you might own, there are probably at least a few government contracting jobs available. For instance, perhaps you own a farm that produces chickens or eggs. A quick search at beta.SAM.gov (the website where you can find federal contracting opportunities), we recently found several contracting jobs put forth by the Department of Justice to help feed workers and prisons in the federal Bureau of Prisons.

As another example, if you own a company that manufactures printer’s ink, multiple agencies have sought this and related goods, such as the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense. Of course, the government also needs all types of repairs services, as well as medical supplies and supplies to help with disaster relief.

We recommend, before you dive into contracting, to use your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and head to beta.SAM.gov, enter your codes and see what is available. You can find your codes at https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/. These codes describe the specific goods and services that a company can provide.

4. There Are Several Types Of Government Contracts
Federal government contracts often are classified by the negotiated price or the way the payment will be made. For instance, some contracts are Fixed-Price Contracts. With this type of contract, a government agency asks for specific goods or services and sets the price they will pay.

Another type of contract is known as a Time & Materials Contract. For these, the government agency will calculate the cost of materials and calculate a per-hour labor rate that they are willing to pay. These types of contracts tend to be short-term contracts. For instance, FEMA might offer a Time & Materials Contract for supplies or cleanup services needed after a disaster.

The government also offers what are known as Incentive Contracts. These are contracts where the contractor will earn an incentive or award if they can complete a project before the agreed-upon end time. For instance, if you are helping to repair the bridge over an interstate highway, the government understands that these repairs can cause traffic delays and issues for motorists. So, they will provide a financial incentive to the contractor in the hopes that the project can be completed as quickly as possible.

These are just a few types of government contracts, to learn more check out our lengthier blog article about this subject here.

5. Agencies Use Several Methods To Find Government Contractors
When you go to Beta.SAM.gov and look at some of the contracts being offered, you will notice abbreviations such as RFI or RFP, etc. These are terms that are used to categorize the different procurement methods used by government agencies.

For instance, if a contracting opportunity is listed as an RFQ or Request for Quotation, this means that the procurement officer for that agency has specific needs and a set budget. It also indicates that the agency is ready to buy once a contractor is chosen and that only contractors that can meet the budget or price will be selected. Typically, this type of contracting job is $25,000 or less in value and often awarded quickly.

An RFT or Request for Tender is similar, but the procurement officer won’t just look at companies that can meet the budget, they will have a bit more flexibility and can look at qualitative aspects as well as pricing.

On the other hand, if an agency puts out an RFI or Request for Information, this means the procurement agents are not ready to buy but is seeking information about the types of goods and services it can acquire and how much those goods and services might cost. In some cases, an RFI does not materialize into a government contract.

Additionally, you will see terms such as RFP, which means Request for Proposal. With this type of request, the government is sort of somewhere in between an RFI and an RFQ. They can look at many factors before choosing a contractor, and they might not be quite sure the best way to meet their agency’s needs. These types of requests are typically for services, rather than goods.

These are just a few types of bids or requests that you’ll need to research. Learning all you can about the types of contracts and types of requests can make it much easier for you to earn federal contractor jobs. Of course, until you complete your SAM registration, you won’t be able to bid on any contracts so if you want to get started with government contracting, we recommend that you take that first step as soon as possible.

Get Started Now – Fast SAM Registration
At Federal Contractor Registry, we can tackle one of the biggest obstacles between you and government contracting jobs. We are a third-party SAM registration service, and we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately so that you can get the CAGE Code and start doing business with the government.

While the government does not charge you to sign up with SAM, we do charge a fee for our services. Why? SAM registration is extremely complicated and can take 10 or more hours to complete. We often get calls from people who started the process, quickly became confused and frustrated and nearly gave up on government contracting.

Rather than deal with the complexities of SAM registration, we can complete this process for you. Because we completed thousands of SAM registrations and SAM renewals, it takes us very little time to get through each application. It’s a bit like hiring an accountant to complete your taxes. You could complete your taxes yourself, but it’s far easier to let an expert handle this task.

If you’d like us to handle your SAM registration, you can give us a call at (800) 985-7658 or click on the New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form. We will be in touch with you as soon as possible so that we can gather up your information, complete your SAM registration and set you on the path toward earning government contracting jobs.

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While there are many tasks that you need to take in order to work with the federal government, one of your first jobs will be to create a capability statement. For government contractors, this important document serves as a sort of resume and provides a quick snapshot of how your company can benefit a government agency. Here are some tips that will help you create a stellar capability statement.

1. Start With A Quick Introduction
Typically, at the top of your capability statement, you will want to create a short intro paragraph talking about your business. This is very similar to the objective section of a resume except that rather than describing your objectives or goals, you just want to give a brief description of your company and what goods or services it provides.

2. Create A Section For Basic Company Info
Aside from a short intro paragraph, a capability statement for government contractors usually includes five main sections – Contact Information, Corporate Data, Core Competencies, Differentiators and Past Performance. The first of these sections, the Contact Information area, is the easiest to complete.

For this section, you will want to include your website address, the name of the person that government procurement agents should contact, as well as the phone and fax numbers for that person. You also will want to include your business’s physical address as well as the contact’s email address.

3. Compile Your Company Data
The Company Data section for government contracting is very unique. You will include your DUNS, your CAGE code, your SBA certifications, your NAICS codes, your NIGP codes, your PSCs and any additional certifications you might possess. You also will want to include your corporation type, as well as the year in which you were incorporated.

Now, you might be wondering what all of that means, so let’s take it step by step. A DUNS is a number given to your business when you register at Dun & Bradstreet. You may already have that number and you can check at the Dun & Bradstreet website. If you don’t possess a number, you can have one assigned to you at no charge. DUNS is actually being phased out and replaced with something else, but this process has been delayed, so for the time being just place your DUNS on your capability statement.

The CAGE Code is a special unique code that identifies your business. It is given to you by the government and must appear on your capability statement. We’ve included further information about the CAGE Code under the final section in this blog.

SBA certifications are applicable only for those companies that qualify as small businesses. SBA stands for the Small Business Administration, and if your business qualifies as a small business, you definitely want to sign up with the SBA and explore any set-asides that might apply to your business. A portion of all federal contractor jobs is “set aside” for small businesses.

Additionally, if your small business is 51% (or more) woman-owned, veteran-owned or perhaps owned by a member of a traditionally disenfranchised group, you may qualify for multiple set-asides. If your business is located in what is known as a HUB Zone, you also might qualify for set-asides for that. SBA government contracting can be very lucrative, so don’t forget to inquire as to whether or not you qualify for SBA set-asides.

NAICS codes are North American Industry Classification System codes. These designated the precise goods and services your company can provide to the government. PSCs are Product Service Codes and these are similar to NAICS codes. NIGP Codes (National Institute of Government Purchasing) are yet another way to classify your goods or services. Government procurement agents might use any of these codes to search for potential contractors, so it’s smart to put all of these on your capability statement.

If you possess any other types of certifications or licenses, be sure to list these, as well, as they can help a procurement agent identify the best possible match for a contracting job. For instance, if you are ISO-registered, add that to your statement. This speaks to the quality of the company in general and can set you apart from other contractors.

4. Describe Your Core Competencies
The Core Competencies section showcases the types of services you provide. NAICS codes and PSCs are just numbers, but under Core Competencies, you can explain in more detail the services you can provide. Typically this is a bulleted list of your services or goods.

5. Add Some Previous Clients
The Past Performance section is a list of your previous or current clients or jobs. You can either create a bulleted list for this or you could use the logos of previous clients if they are fairly well known. This section functions as a references section but you don’t need to put in contact information for the references. You simply list clients or jobs you have completed.

6. Explain What Sets You Apart
The Differentiators section is probably the trickiest to write. In this section, you speak about what sets you apart from your competitors. Perhaps you have many decades of experience, the ability to work in many locations, more areas of expertise than your competitors, a high rate of referrals, etc. It’s basically a shortlist of why your company would be the best choice for a government contracting job.

7. Create A Great Design
As with a resume, the quality of the content is more important than the quality of the design, but a clean, easy-to-read design is your best bet. There are countless examples of capability statement designs on the internet, so take a look at a few and emulate a good design.

Typically, it’s best to stick with just one highly readable font or two at the most. Adding color is fine, but limit the colors to just one or two. Companies usually place their logo at the top of the capability statement and keep the contact information up at the top, as well. Generally, a one-page statement is best, but many companies will create a two-page document, just don’t ramble on to a third page.

But, SAM Registration Comes First
While you need that capability statement, you cannot start bidding on government contracts until you have completed your System for Award Management registration and received your Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. The Cage Code is your unique identifier within the System for Award Management (SAM). This is a database that includes all government contractors.

SAM registration is free, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming task, and the SAM government website can be tricky to use. The application is lengthy and includes quite a bit of “government-speak” which is confusing, to say the least. In many cases, people simply prefer to pay someone else to handle their SAM registration, and this is where we come in. We are a third-party SAM registration and SAM renewal service.

We can complete your registration quickly and correctly and ensure that you are approved as a contractor as soon as possible. We can even help you identify those NAICS codes and PSC codes, and help you identify any set-asides for which you may qualify.

While we are working on your SAM registration, you can work on setting up and designing your capability statement, as well as learning all you can about the bidding process. To get started with our SAM registration services, just head to our homepage and click on the New Registration tab or call us at (800) 985-7658.

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When it comes to government contracting, there are opportunities for just about everyone, and this includes the hospitality industry, which has been so hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the FedRooms program, hotels, motels and other types of lodging establishments can contact and sell rooms to government employees from just about any agency. Here’s how it works.

FedRooms: A Quick Overview

FedRooms is a program managed by the General Services Administration, which is the government agency that oversees all types of government procurement, including government contracting. If you register for FedRooms, your lodging establishment will be able to provide rooms to the government, such as serving as a FEMA hotel or just offering competitive rates for government employees.

When government or military employees travel, they usually book their stays at hotels, motels and other lodging options that are part of FedRooms. Federal government employees also can use FedRooms to book leisure travel. The hoteliers that are part of this program offer lower rates for these government employees, either at or below the government per diem for travel expenses.

A per diem is a government employee’s allowance for lodging, meals and other expenses. The per diem rates vary based upon location. For instance, lodging in New York City is notably more expensive than lodging in a smaller city or town, so the per diem in New York City will be higher than it might be in Toledo or Omaha.

Signing up with FedRooms and offering these reduced rates to government employees can be a great way to increase occupancy, and just about any type of lodging establishment can apply for the FedRooms program. The caveat – FedRooms only accepts new hoteliers once per year during its annual Request For Approval (RFP) process, and the window to sign up typically lasts from about June until August 1.

FEMA Hotel Registration

In order to qualify for the FedRooms program, your lodging establishment must meet certain requirements. One of the biggest requirements is that your hotel or lodging must be FEMA certified. FEMA certification ensures that your lodging establishment is in compliance with the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act of 1990.

To register a hotel with FEMA, you will need to go to https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/. The first step is to head toward the bottom of the page and click on the “Add a new listing” tab. The system will first check your physical address to ensure that you have not already completed FEMA hotel registration. Once it determines that you are a new property, it will allow you to fill out the application.

The application will ask for some contact information and other basic information about your property, but the main focus of this application is to ensure that your property or properties are fire safe.

ADA Compliance

All lodging establishments accepted into the FedRooms program must not only complete FEMA hotel registration, but they also must be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA.

In order to be in compliance with the ADA, your facility will need to have a certain amount of accessible parking, accessible entrances and exits, accessible restrooms, accessible guestrooms and more. To view the ADA checklist for lodging establishments, head to https://www.ada.gov/hsurvey.htm.

Your level of compliance depends upon many factors. A large hotel with hundreds of rooms will face different compliance standards than a small motel or a bed and breakfast inn. For instance, a lodging establishment with 25 or fewer parking lot spaces will not be required to have as many accessible parking spots as a hotel or motel with 400 parking spots.

Likewise, an establishment with 25 or fewer rooms won’t need to be able to provide as many accessible guestrooms as a facility with hundreds of rooms. The ADA regulations are meant to be fair so that customers have accessibility without making it too costly or difficult for businesses to comply.

Other Requirements

Additionally, the FedRooms program has several more requirements that you must fulfill to sign up with this program, as per the FedRooms website, including:
• Offering a competitive rate at or below per diem
• Cancellation policy of 4 p.m. day of arrival or later (for domestic properties) and no more than 24 hours (for international properties)
• You must have earned at least 2 crowns
• No deposit or early departure fees
• Monthly production reporting and payment
• Book FedRooms rate when requested
• Compliance with all terms and conditions
• Complimentary guest room internet

To learn more about FedRooms in general, you can visit the website at FedRooms.com. FedRooms also runs a LinkedIn Group where you can ask questions and gain information about the yearly RFP.

SAM Registration: Your First Step Into Government Contracting

As with all other government contractors, if you want to work with FedRooms or complete your FEMA hotel registration or work with any government agency, you must complete your System for Award Management (SAM) application.

All government contractors need to complete SAM registration. Once approved, you will receive what is known as a Corporate and Government Entities (CAGE) Code. This code is the unique identifier for your business, and SAM registration is the first step that all government contractors must take to do business with any government agency.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we complete hundreds of SAM registrations each year for hoteliers as well as many other types of companies. SAM registration can be extremely time-consuming, taking 10 or more hours to complete; so many people simply hire services such as ours to complete this lengthy and confusing registration document.

Once we complete your SAM registration and submit it to the government, it usually takes just a few weeks to get approval and receive your CAGE code. While we work on your SAM registration, you can work on FEMA hotel registration and learning all you can about the FedRooms RFP process. While all of this can be complicated, once you make it into the system, your efforts can be well worth the time spent to expand your guest list to those government employees.

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