SAM Registration

Throughout the year, the federal government, as well as state governments, offer a variety of storm cleanup jobs to companies in the private sector. While these jobs can help boost your business, you do need to take a few steps before you can bid on these government contracting jobs. The first step in the process is SAM registration.

 

What Is SAM Registration?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the centralized database that includes all active federal contractors. If you want to be listed on this database, you will need to complete your SAM registration. This is an online application available at SAM.gov. You can complete the application on your own at no charge or you can hire a third-party SAM registration service, such as Federal Contractor Registry.

 

While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, they admit on their own website that it can take several days to complete the SAM application. If you aren’t familiar with government terminology or cannot afford to take 10 or 12 or more hours to complete the application, you can hire us to complete SAM registration.

 

Many people get started with the SAM registration process only to become frustrated and give up on government contracting. However, we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately so that you can be approved quickly and eligible to work for any government agency, including FEMA and even state government agencies.

 

Hiring us is basically just like hiring an accountant because while the government charges no fee to complete your tax forms, these forms can be complicated, and mistakes are costly. SAM registration is complicated and if you make mistakes, it can delay your application approval.

 

If you do decide to complete SAM registration on your own, be sure to include yourself in the Disaster Response Registry on the SAM application. This registry includes all businesses that can provide emergency support such as debris removal, emergency supplies and other disaster-related support. FEMA and other agencies can look for businesses on this registry and bypass the traditional contracting process during an emergency.

 

Think Beyond FEMA

When you think of storm cleanup jobs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) probably springs to mind immediately, but a few other federal agencies often offer cleanup jobs. For instance, the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency often need cleanup services.

 

Additionally, your goods and services might be needed by many other agencies. There are hundreds of agencies, and they are required to purchase most or all of their goods and services from private contractors. While FEMA disaster jobs certainly can be profitable, it’s a good idea to think about other opportunities.

 

To see what’s currently available, you can head to Beta.SAM.gov, which is the search engine for government contractor jobs. Once you are on that page, click on Contract Opportunities and then when you reach the search bar, click on the Advanced Search option. From there, we recommend that you search using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These codes describe your exact goods and services.

 

To search using your NAICS codes, you will have to click on the More Filters tab and then click on the tabs that you don’t want to deselect those filters. Then you will see that the page looks a bit blank, but you will want to click on the words Product or Service Information. A box will load up where you can enter your NAICS code.

 

Once you enter that code, you should see a list of possible contract opportunities. Some of these will be a good match for your business, while others won’t, so you will need to read each notice carefully to ensure that you can provide the exact goods and services needed by the agency. You also could look using keywords – such as “cleanup” or “hurricane,” etc., but typically using your NAICS codes is a good way to find matching contracts.

 

Types of Storm Cleanup Jobs

While debris removal is an important service after a hurricane, flood or another disaster, these aren’t the only types of jobs related to storm cleanup. Storm cleanup jobs technically include all of the relief services needed when a disaster occurs. The government needs everything from debris removal to repair services as well as temporary housing, bottled water, food, medical supplies and much more.

 

If your company can provide any type of good or service that might be needed during a disaster (this includes disasters such as the current pandemic), then there are probably government contract jobs available. If you just do a search on Beta.SAM.gov for FEMA, you will see a wide variety of items that are needed, including printer cartridges, media services, security services, AV equipment and much more. FEMA may be focused on disaster relief and storm cleanup jobs, but they have many other needs, as well.

 

Sign Up With Your State

Sometimes a state handles storm cleanup, especially if the storm or disaster does not meet the requirements to call in FEMA. It is wise to also sign up with your state procurement system. To find your state system, simply do an internet search with your state name and the word “procurement.”

 

In the search results, look for websites that feature a .gov suffix. For instance, if you search for “Virginia procurement,” the first result is eVA.virginia.gov and it is listed as Virginia’s eProcurement Marketplace. With the .gov suffix, you know that this is an official government website.

 

Keep in mind, that state procurement agents will expect that you have completed SAM registration when you sign up and will want to know your Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. CAGE codes are assigned to businesses after their SAM registration is approved, and it serves as a company’s unique identifier within the System for Award Management.

 

Get Started Today!

Helping with storm cleanup jobs is not just profitable, but you also are helping serve your country during a time of need. If you are interested in disaster cleanup jobs or any type of government contracting and would like us to help with SAM registration, just head to our homepage and click on the green New Registration tab. From there, you just need to fill out our quick contact form and a registration specialist will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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The world of government contracting can be quite confusing, especially if you are just getting started. One of the first steps you need to take is to learn about the different types of government contract jobs that are available. In this blog, we are going to look at seven different options that you will find when you start looking for contracting opportunities.

 

1. Fixed-Price Contracts

With a fixed-price contract, government procurement agents have set a price for goods and services. This means that the agency has a solid idea of how much the contract is worth and presumably sets a reasonable fee for the goods or services. In general, the value of the contract is not negotiable, but there are variations of these contracts, such as fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustments or fixed-price contracts with prospective price redetermination.

 

2. Cost-Reimbursement Contracts

With these contracts, the government might not have as clear of an idea of how much a project will cost to complete. This doesn’t mean that the government is willing to pay a sky-high price for the goods or services, it simply means they aren’t 100% sure of the costs for this government contracting job. They still expect bidders to provide reasonable cost estimates, but there’s just no fixed price.

 

3. Incentive Contracts

With an incentive contract, the government typically needs a job completed by a very firm deadline and they are willing to provide an incentive if the job is completed on time or earlier than expected. These contracts also are used to ensure that a contractor completes a job at a specific cost. While cost-incentive contracts are the most common type of incentive contracts, there are also performance-incentive contracts and delivery-incentive contracts and sometimes there might be a mix of these three incentives.

 

4. Time & Materials Contracts

Just as the name suggests, these contracts set an hourly rate for labor as well as for the cost of materials needed to complete a job. For contractors, these can be the least desirable type of government contract jobs because you have to track your hours carefully as well as calculating material costs, and you have to front the costs yourself and then submit paperwork to the government for reimbursement.

 

5. Indefinite Delivery & Quantity Contracts

Sometimes a government agency doesn’t know how much of a good or service they need or for how long or perhaps when they will need an item, which is why we have the indefinite-delivery contracts. The contractor agrees to supply the goods as needed by the agency for the duration of the contract. Typically, you will have a general idea regarding the scope of supplies or services as well as a general timeline, but it won’t be as exact as it would with a fixed-price contract.

 

6. Set-Aside Contracts

The government spends billions of dollars in government contacts every year, and a portion of these are “set aside” for small businesses. There are set asides for woman-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones) and businesses that take part in the 8(a) Business Development Program. These government contract jobs might be fixed-price, cost-reimbursement or any other type of contract, they simply are awarded to small businesses. Often, these contracts are smaller in value than contracts awarded to a prime contractor, but small businesses can bid on any size contract they wish provided they can meet the requirements of that contract.

 

Additionally, there are competitive set-aside contracts and sole-source set-aside contracts. Sole-source contracts bypass the bidding process, but these are rare, and you are much more likely to be competing against other small businesses in a competitive format. To learn more about options for small businesses and 8a contracts, go to SBA.gov.

 

7. GSA Schedules

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for acquiring goods and services for federal government agencies. If you can acquire GSA contracts, which are known as GSA schedules, government agencies can purchase goods or services from you directly without having to deal with the bidding process.

 

This might sound ideal, but it can take a year or more to get on a GSA schedule and just because you are on a GSA schedule, this doesn’t guarantee that your goods or services will be needed or purchased. Still, for some businesses, this can be a good option. To learn more about GSA schedules and to determine if your business would be a good fit, go to https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/purchasing-programs/gsa-schedule and click on the Sell Through Schedule box.

 

The information provided in this blog is simply basic information about the types of federal contractor jobs you might see available from various federal government agencies. State government agencies also use similar types of contracts, and we do recommend that you sign up with your state procurement office as well as with the federal government as lucrative government contracting jobs are available from states as well as the federal government, and sometimes it can be easier to win a state contract than a federal contract.

 

The best course of action for any government contractor is to spend some time learning more about the different types of government contracts as well as how to bid on these types of contracts. There are a few private companies out there that provide helpful tutorials and workshops and companies that you can hire to create your bid proposals. When you are just getting started with government contract jobs, hiring some expert help can be a smart way to learn the ropes.

 

Let Us Help With SAM Registration!

Of course, before you can bid on any government contract jobs, you must complete your System for Award Management (SAM) Registration. At Federal Contractor Registry, we complete SAM registrations (and SAM renewals) for hundreds of companies every year and can help you get through this arduous process.

 

You can complete SAM registration on your own at no charge, but many business owners find the processing confusing and too time-consuming, so they hire a service like ours instead. It’s just like hiring an accountant to do your taxes and saves you time and the headache of trying to understand each section of the SAM application.

 

Our SAM registration specialists can complete your application quickly and accurately so that you can bid on government contract jobs as soon as possible. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, fill out our quick contact form and a registration specialist will be in touch as soon as possible.

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If you’ve been thinking about becoming a government contractor, this can be a great way to build your business and make it stronger. There are thousands of government contractor jobs available every year, but before you can bid on any of them, you must complete US federal contractor registration via the System for Award Management.

 

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the database that contains information about every active government contractor. You can complete SAM registration yourself or hire a third-party registration service to complete this process, such as Federal Contractor Registry.

 

People hire us because, while the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, it is a complicated and time-consuming process. In fact, it can take 10 or more hours to complete, and many people give up in frustration and miss out on lucrative contracting opportunities. If you are having trouble or just want to avoid the frustration of SAM registration, give us a call and we will complete your registration as quickly as possible so that you are approved and ready to start bidding on contracts.

 

Whether you decide to complete SAM registration on your own or hire us, there are a few things to consider before you get started with US federal contractor registration, be sure to read through the following tips.

 

1. Determine If You Are A Good Match For Government Contracting Jobs

Many people mistakenly believe that the government only needs services such as construction, clean-up or perhaps something related to the military or defense, but that’s not the case. The government spends billions of dollars each year on government contracts. The hire private sector companies to provide everything from appliance repair to zoological support.

 

The government needs paper, computers, cars, culinary services, security services, medical supplies, fencing, tree trimming janitorial services, repair services and much, much more. However, before you consider US federal contractor registration, take a look at Beta.SAM.gov to see if you are a good match for federal contracting jobs.

 

Beta.SAM.gov is the government-run search engine for government contracting opportunities. Once you get to the home page, there is a box that explains what you can do on this website and one of the top listings is “Contract Opportunities.” This used to be known as FedBizOpps or FBO.gov, but that has changed.

 

Click on this and then click on “Advanced Search.” From here, you can search using one or more parameters. We recommend using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These codes describe what goods or services your business provides. If you are not sure which codes apply to your business, go to   https://www.census.gov/naics/.

 

You also can look using keywords. For instance, if you provide janitorial services, that could be the keyword. If you do HVAC repair, use that as a keyword, etc. You also can search using keywords and other parameters, such as location, place of performance, set aside and more. We will cover the term “set aside” in tip four.

 

At any rate, doing a quick search will help you see if you are a good match for government contracting. State governments also offer government contracting jobs, so don’t forget to check your state’s procurement system and consider bidding on state or county-level jobs, as well. You will need to complete SAM registration for state government jobs, as well, as state’s will ask you to provide your Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code when you sign up with the state procurement system.

 

You will receive your CAGE code after you have completed SAM registration and are approved by the Federal Service Desk. This is the agency in charge of the System for Award Management and all of its features.

 

2. Don’t Start SAM Registration Without These Six Things!

In order to complete US federal contractor registration, you need to gather some information together. This includes the following:

• Employer Identification Number (EIN) – Located on your tax forms
• Physical Address of Your Company
• DUNS Number – Get one for free at https://www.dnb.com
• Business Bank Account Number
• NAICS Codes – We can help with this if you use us for SAM Registration
• Product Service Codes (PSCs) – We also will help with this

 

You will need the bank account number and routing number because the government agencies will pay you using this account. You also need to provide the actual physical address of your business and not a PO Box. The DUNS stands for Data Universal Numbering System. You might have already filed for one when you first opened your business, but you can check at the website listed above and sign up for one if you do not yet have a DUNS number.

 

Product Service Codes are similar to NAICS codes and describe your goods and services. You will need to know those codes (we can help) as well as all of these other pieces of information when you register for SAM or for your state procurement system.

 

3. Don’t Forget About Your Notarized Letter Requirement

Several years ago, the government started asking all new registrants to provide a notarized letter identifying a company’s Entity Administrator. This is the person authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

 

You can find instructions for this letter at https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016652&sys_kb_id=df025fd01b9d3cd42fe5ed7ae54bcb2c&spa=1. If you scroll about halfway down the page, you will see links to three templates. Most people will simply need to follow the instructions provided under Template 1.

 

Be sure to complete this letter, get it notarized and send it in as soon as possible. This is a requirement for SAM registration, and in the past, failure to send in this letter, would keep you from attaining SAM registration approval. While that is no longer the case, it is required and failing to send it in could alter your SAM status from active to inactive, which means that no government entity can do business with you.

 

4. Small Business? Sign Up With SBA Now

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a great deal of support for small businesses. They can help with loans and provide support to help you manage and grow your business. They also help with government contracting for small businesses.

 

The United States government (and many state governments) set aside a portion of all of their government contracting jobs for small businesses. The SBA has created several categories of “set asides” and if you meet the criteria for the set asides, you might have an easier time earning a government contract. There are set asides for a woman-owned small business, a veteran-owned small business and several other categories as well as the 8(a) Business Development Program.

 

If you don’t meet a specific set aside category’s criteria, you can still attain small business status. Small businesses not only have certain contracts set aside for them, but owners of these businesses can also bid on any size contract or work with a large Prime Contractor. Prime Contractors often are required to use small businesses as subcontractors in order to win big government contracts. To see if you qualify as a small business or for any special set asides or 8a contracts, go to https://www.sba.gov/size-standards.

 

When it comes to comes to SAM registration, if you plan on completing your own registration, be prepared for a lengthy and sometimes frustrating process. Set aside a day or two just to complete your registration. Once this process is complete, the staff at the Federal Service Desk will review your application and either approve it or reject it. Typically, companies are rejected because there are mistakes on the SAM registration application, and you will need to correct these mistakes and resubmit the registration for approval.

 

If you prefer to hire someone else to complete your SAM registration, contact us at any time. We are US federal contractor registration experts, and we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately, so that you are eligible to bid on government contracts as soon as possible. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form.

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Let’s face it, the last few years have been tough, and if you’ve been hoping to increase your revenue through government contracting, but not having much luck, you might be tempted to skip SAM renewal. But that might be a mistake and here’s why.

 

1. You Can Win Government Contracts

Did you know that it typically takes companies more than a year to earn their first government contracting job? If you have been registered with SAM for a year or two, but aren’t winning any bids, this isn’t uncommon. Often, it just takes time to learn how to bid and you make a few mistakes along the way. It might also take time to find contracts that truly fit your goods and services.

 

We recommend that you check once each week on sites such as Beta.SAM.gov, which is part of the System for Award Management, or you can look for companies that specialize in helping businesses find all types of government contracts. These companies do charge a fee, but they can be a huge help toward matching you with the best contract opportunities.

 

2. You Can Qualify For “Set Asides”

If your company qualifies as a small business, this can make it easier to win government contracting jobs. However, you have to register for what is known as “set asides” with the Small Business Administration (SBA.gov). The government sets aside a portion of its yearly contracting budget just for small businesses, and often for specific types of small businesses, such as a woman-owned small business or veteran-owned small business. Of course, you will need to complete SAM renewal to qualify for these contracts.

 

Additionally, most government contracts that are worth $100,000 or less are set aside just for smaller-sized companies. In some cases, such as for contracts worth less than $25,000, they often have a much easier bidding process, but, again, you must be registered with the SBA to be considered for these contracts.

 

If you qualify for a set aside, there’s just no reason not to sign up with SBA and enjoy the benefits of these programs. It’s also smart to check if you qualify for 8a certification benefits. The 8(a) Business Development program, as it is formally known, was created to help small, disadvantaged businesses win set-aside contracts and sole-source contracts. If your small business is 51% owned and controlled by a U.S. citizen that is socially or economically disadvantaged, you may qualify for this program.

 

3. You Can Bid On State Government Contracts

Many people forget that state governments also award hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts every year, but you have to complete your SAM renewal to bid on these contracts. State government agencies will ask for your CAGE code, and only companies with active SAM accounts will be considered for state government contracts.

 

Of course, you also need to register with your state’s government procurement system. Technically, you can work with any state, even if your company is located elsewhere, but it can be easier to get started with your home state. Many procurement officers also are more likely to award contracts to in-state businesses, although this is not always the case.

 

State procurement systems also have their own search engines where you can find government contracts. To find your state’s procurement system, just do an internet search with the word procurement next to your state name. For instance, if you search for “Georgia procurement,” you will see several government web pages that will lead you to the state’s procurement system.

 

State governments also set aside contracts for small businesses, so we strongly encourage you to register with SBA and take advantage of set aside contracts as well as the many other resources available through SBA. Additionally, state procurement agencies often host free or low-cost events where contractors can meet with representatives from various government agencies and learn more about government contracting in general. What you learn at these workshops and events will translate to federal government contracting as well as state contracting.

 

4. You Can Work Toward A GSA Schedule

The General Services Administration (GSA) was created to provide goods and services for other federal government agencies. The GSA maintains what are known as GSA schedules (sometimes called GSA contracts) to make it easier for agencies to acquire goods and services. If you can become a provider on a GSA schedule, you bypass the government contracting process and become a preferred vendor for the government.

 

This can be a lucrative option for many businesses to consider, but it does take time to get on a GSA schedule. In order to get started, you need to complete SAM registration or SAM renewal and be sure that you are registered with the SBA if you qualify as a small business. You can learn more about GSA schedules at https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/purchasing-programs/gsa-schedule.

 

Getting on a GSA schedule does not automatically ensure that you will earn government contracts, it is simply another avenue to pursue. If you are listed on a schedule, it can be much easier to do business with the government because you won’t have to deal with RFPs, RFQs, etc.

 

5. Early Renewal Ensures You Can Keep Bidding

SAM renewal needs to be completed several months in advance of your expiration date and there are a couple of reasons why. The first is that if your SAM registration expires you can no longer do business with government agencies. So, if companies were in the middle of completing FEMA disaster jobs or DOD contracts, these agencies cannot work with you once your SAM registration expires.

 

This leads us to the second reason to handle your SAM renewal several months ahead of time. If you are bidding on contracts and a procurement agent sees that your SAM registration is expiring in just two or three months, they often won’t award you the contract.

 

We Can Complete Your SAM Renewal!

At Federal Contractor Registry, we don’t just help people with SAM registration, we also provide SAM renewal services. We can complete your SAM renewal quickly so that you can remain active and continue to try and win government contracts.

 

While we do charge a fee, we can ensure that every part of your SAM renewal is completed accurately. If you make mistakes, this can delay approval and you might miss out on contracting opportunities. SAM renewal can be nearly as frustrating and complicated as your initial SAM registration, and it makes sense to simply hire a pro and let us handle your renewal tasks just as you hire an accountant to handle your taxes.

 

We encourage most companies to complete their SAM renewal and to continue trying to win government contracting jobs. In the world of government contracting, persistence pays off and typically once you earn your first contract, the process becomes easier, and you are more likely to win future contracts. To get started, just click on the blue Renew Registration tab on our homepage.

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There are government contracting jobs available for just about any type and size of company, but to bid on and win these lucrative jobs you first have to complete your SAM.gov registration. However, that is just one of several steps you’ll need to take in order to become a successful government contractor.

 

What Is SAM.Gov Registration?

The government cannot do business with a company that is not registered and active with the System for

Award Management (SAM). This is a database that lists all government contractors. Once you complete your SAM.gov registration, you will be given what is known as a Commercial and Government Entity Code, or CAGE Code. This code serves as the unique identifier for your company within the SAM database.

 

The government does not charge companies or individuals to complete their SAM registration. However, you do need to be prepared to spend 10-12 hours working on this application. It’s a complicated document and, unfortunately, many people are dissuaded from becoming government contractors because SAM registration can be so frustrating.

 

Before you begin with SAM.gov registration, you need to collect some information and have it nearby as you work through the application. This includes:

• Your company’s DUNS number (you can look up your number or sign up for a number at DNB.com)
• Your company’s physical address & mailing address
• Your company bank account & routing numbers (government agencies will pay you into this bank account)
• Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Your NAICS Codes & PSCs

 

At this point, you might be wondering about the NAICS codes and PSCs. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System and PSCs are Product Service Codes. Both of these codes describe the type of goods and services your company provides and there are codes for just about any industry imaginable.

 

Let Us Help With SAM.Gov Registration!

SAM registration is not a simple process, and many people choose to save time and frustration and simply hire a third-party registration service, such as Federal Contractor Registry. We can complete your SAM registration (or SAM renewal) quickly and accurately without any hassles, and this includes studying your goods and services to determine the best NAICS codes and PSCs for your business.

 

In general, while you can complete your SAM.gov registration by yourself, it’s often simply easier to leave this to experts. We have completed thousands of SAM registrations and renewals. We are similar to accountants in that a person can fill out their tax forms themselves, but the tax code is confusing, so it often makes sense to hire a tax expert. It’s just the same with SAM registration. We are experts and can take this arduous task off your hands.

 

5 Other Steps You Need To Take

Of course, SAM.gov registration is just the first step in the process of becoming a government contractor.

 

1. Sign Up With The Small Business Administration

If you qualify as a small business, this can open up a world of opportunity. The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers an array of services and support for small businesses, but that’s not the only reason to sign up.

 

If you want to become a government contractor, it’s important to note that the government sets aside a portion of its contracting budget just for small businesses. You can qualify as a general small business, but there are also special designations, known as “set aides” for specific situations.

 

For instance, a portion of contacts are set aside especially for women-owned small businesses. There are two set asides for veterans, one for a business owned 51% or more by anyone who served in the military (veteran-owned small business) or for a business owned 51% or more by service-disabled veterans.

 

Additionally, there are set asides for small disadvantaged businesses. These are businesses owned 51% or more by people considered socially disadvantaged or economically disadvantaged.

 

It also is recommended that you look into the 8(a) Business Development Program as well as the HUBZone program. If you can earn 8a certification, as it’s often called, this can make acquiring government contracts much easier, but the company does need to be 51% or more owned by a U.S. citizen that is part of a socially or economically disadvantaged group.

 

The HUBZone program was set up to strengthen the economies of certain areas throughout the country. There are HUBZones in rural areas, urban areas and on Native American reservations. Sometimes areas affected by natural disasters earn temporary HUBZone status as they move toward recovery.

 

To see if you qualify as a small business and to learn more about SBA programs, go to SBA.gov. Of course, not all businesses qualify, but you might be surprised to find that you fit within the limits for your industry category.

 

2. Create A Capability Statement

Whether you are a small, medium or large business, you will need to create a capability statement, which is a type of resume for a government contractor. However, instead of highlighting the positives about an individual, a capability statement highlights what sets your company apart from the competition.

 

This capability statement should feature an attractive, easy-to-read design and include several categories, including:

• About Us (This section is a brief description of your business)
• Core Competences (Usually a bulleted list of goods and services you provide)
• Past Performances (A list of companies/government agencies with whom you’ve worked in the past)
• Differentiators (A list of what sets you apart from other similar businesses
• Corporate Data (This can include your contact information as well as your CAGE Code, NAICS codes, PSCs and other important certification or codes.)

There are many examples of excellent capability statements on the internet. We suggest you study a few examples that relate to your industry before creating your own. Additionally, you should post this capability statement on your company website as well as your business LinkedIn page.

 

3. Learn About The Types of Government Contracts

There are several types of government contracts, and it’s smart to learn about each type. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common types you might encounter.

 

Firm Fixed Price Contracts

These are popular with government procurement agents because they simply put out the contract with a fixed price and companies that can meet that price can bid. These are common when a procurement agent has a good idea of the exact type of supplies or services that are needed and can determine fairly easily what a reasonable cost for those goods and services might be.

 

These types of contracts tend to benefit the government more than the government contractors. This is because if a government contractor underestimates how much the goods or services will cost, the government is still only going to pay the fixed price amount. However, if you, as the contractor, feel very certain that the amount to be paid with cover your expenses and still provide you with a solid profit, bidding on a fixed price contract can be a good option.

 

Cost Reimbursement Contracts

Sometimes, of course, the procurement agency won’t know precisely how much goods and services might cost, so they will offer up this type of contract. This tends to place the burden on the government because the contract could end up costing more than originally expected.

 

In some cases, if the goods or services exceed the originally agreed-upon price, the contractor can work with the procurement agent to increase the amount of money needed to complete the contracting job.

 

These are the two most common types of contracts, and there are several different types of these two contracts. Additionally, you often see other types of contracts, such as Time & Materials Contracts, Labor Hour Contracts, Incentive Contracts and more. Learning about these different types of contracts can help you better understand the world of government contracting jobs in general.

 

4. Find Government Contract Opportunities

Finding government contracting jobs can be easier than actually bidding on these jobs and winning the contracts. You can use Beta.SAM.gov as a resource, as this government website includes a search engine where you can look for available contracting jobs.

 

To use this search engine, we recommend that you search using your NAICS codes and PSCs as this will bring up matches for the types of goods and services your company provides. You also can search using keywords, by government agency, set asides, place of performance and several other filters. You also can search using multiple filters.

 

For instance, you might search using your NAICS codes and the place of performance. This means you want to provide goods or services in a specific location, usually near your place of business. We also recommend that you check the “active” tab under the Status filter, as this will pull up active contracts. You can search inactive to get an idea of what’s been available in the past and see with which agencies you might be a good fit.

 

Small businesses also should check out what options might be listed on the SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), which is available at https://web.sba.gov/pro-net/search/dsp_dsbs.cfm. Subcontracting also is a good option, particularly for small businesses new to government contracting. Many prime contractors are required to use subcontractors to win big government contracts, and you can search for these opportunities at SBA’s SubNet, which is located at https://eweb1.sba.gov/subnet/client/dsp_Landing.cfm.

 

Don’t forget about signing up with your state procurement agency, as there are millions of dollars in state government contracts available every year. It can be easier to win a state contract and they also set aside a portion of their budgets for different types of small businesses. They also tend to offer the same kind of contracts and use similar bidding types. Keep in mind, you will need to complete SAM registration as state government agencies also ask for your CAGE code when you sign up with their system.

 

5. Learn About The Bidding Process

Aside from tackling SAM.gov registration, understanding the bidding process can be one of the most complicated aspects of government contracts. The first step is finding some contracts that seem to fit what you can provide. Once you find a contract that seems like a good match, read the proposal thoroughly and follow all of the instructions precisely.

 

You need to become familiar with terms such as Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposal (RFPs, Request for Qualification (RFQs) and Request for Tender (RFTs), as these are all quite common. Government procurement agencies sometimes hold workshops and training sessions for companies new to government contracts and these are often free or low-cost and can serve as a helpful resource as you learn the ropes.

 

Get Started Today With SAM.Gov Registration

If you’d like us to handle your SAM.Gov registration, contact the team at Federal Contractor Registry at any time. To get started with the process, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, fill out our quick contact form and a registration specialist will be in touch shortly to gather some important information about your company.

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Have you ever wondered, “what is SAM.gov? Well, we have the answer as well as some tips to help you use this important government website as well as a few other websites that can be important to anyone wishing to bid on government contracting jobs.

 

What Is SAM.gov?

SAM stands for System for Award Management, and it’s a huge central database that includes information about all government contractors. In the past, there was the Central Contractor Registration, or CCR, and while you hear about CCR.gov sometimes, it is obsolete, and everything is all about SAM.gov these days.

 

In order to do business with any federal government agency, you must complete SAM registration. Once you’ve completed SAM registration, the government assigns you a Commercial and Government Entities Code, or CAGE Code, which is your unique identifier in SAM.

 

The SAM database is managed by the General Services Administration, which is responsible for acquiring goods and services for government agencies. There are two basic ways to sell to the government – bid on government contracts or get your company on a GSA schedule.

 

GSA schedules are lists of approved vendors for certain goods and services. These are long-term contracts, and there are a few advantages that companies on GSA schedules enjoy. First, these are long-term contracts, lasting several years, unlike most government contracts which have fairly quick expiration dates.

 

Second, when you have GSA contracts, many federal and state agencies can purchase from you. With a regular government contract, you will be working with just one single agency. The downside is that getting on a GSA schedule can be tricky, and harder than actually earning a contract with a single agency. Still, it can be lucrative, so we do recommend that you look into GSA schedules at some point. You can learn more at GSA.gov.

 

What Is SAM.Gov Versus Beta.SAM.gov?

We often get asked about the differences between these two URLs, and it’s pretty simple. You sign up to become a government contractor at SAM.gov and you search for contracting opportunities at Beta.SAM.gov. In the past, you would look for contracting jobs at FedBizOpps.gov, but now everything has been streamlined in SAM.

 

Once you’ve completed your SAM registration, SAM.gov won’t seem as important as Beta.SAM.gov. Once you head to this website, you will see a tab that says, “Contract Opportunities.” Click on that and it will lead you to a search engine where you can search for federal government contracts.

 

The government recently updated Beta.SAM.gov to make it more “user friendly,” however, as with so many government-related websites, these updates actually can make it more confusing. So here are a few tips.

 

Once you click on “Contract Opportunities,” this will lead you to a search bar labeled “Search Contract Opportunities,” but it’s pretty vague about how to search. We recommend that you click on the “Advanced Search.” This is a mostly blank page that has a search feature on the left side.

 

You can search for jobs via keyword or scroll down and search by Federal Organization, Dates, Notice Type, Product or Service Information, Set Aside or Place of Performance. You also can select the “More Filters” tab if you want to add a few more options such as NAICS codes.

 

To make it easy, we recommend heading to that “More Filters” tab and go to the top where it says, “Select All” and click on that and then click on it a second time to clear the filters. Then you can add the specific filters that you want to use for your search. We often find that it’s good to search using NAICS codes and Product and Service Codes (PSCs). This will pull up matches that are specific to the types of goods and services you can provide.

 

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System, and NAICS codes describe the types of goods and services that your company can provide. Product Service Codes (PSCs) are similar, as well, describing your goods and services.

 

SAM Registration

If the instructions for Beta.SAM.gov seem confusing, that’s nothing compared to the intricacies associated with actually completing your SAM registration. This complicated application can take 10, 12 or more hours to complete and is filled with complicated government-speak.

 

While the government does not charge you to complete your SAM registration, many people simply give up on SAM and government contracting after they become frustrated with the application. This is a shame because there are many lucrative contracts out there to be had.

 

With SAM registration, you have two options. You can try to complete the application yourself or you can hire a third-party service to complete your SAM registration for you. At Federal Contractor Registry, we handle hundreds of SAM registrations for companies of all sizes and can complete your registration quickly and accurately. It’s often simply easier to hire an expert to handle SAM registration, just as it is easier to hire an accountant to handle your company taxes.

 

After SAM Registration

Once your SAM registration is approved, technically you can begin bidding on government contracts. However, the bidding process is complex, so we always suggest that anyone just getting started in government contracting do some research and learn about the different types of government contracts as well as how to bid.

 

If you qualify as a small business, we recommend that you also sign up with the Small Business Administration, as they provide helpful information about government contracting and you may qualify for various set-asides, which are special categories, such as a woman-owned small business. If you qualify for a set-aside, this can make it easier to earn a government contractor job. To learn more, head to SBA.gov.

 

You also will need to create a capability statement, which is a special kind of resume just for government contractors. We recommend adding a page just for government contracting to your website and ensuring that a copy of your capability statement is linked to that page so that government procurement agents can take a look at your statement at any time.

 

While government contracting can be tricky, once you get the hang of it and learn how to bid and find jobs that are good matches for your goods and services, this can be a profitable option for many companies. It does take time, but once you’ve earned that first contract, it becomes easier to earn more contacts, simply because you have some experience.

 

Hopefully, this has answered “what is SAM.gov,” but if you have more questions, give us a call. If you want to get started with SAM registration, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and a registration specialist will contact you and get started on completing your registration. We also complete SAM renewals, so if you have a current SAM registration and are nearing your expiration date, we can help.

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