Category: SAM Registration

What Is SAM.gov? How To Use This Website

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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 In the past, there was the Central Contractor Registration, or CCR, and while you hear about CCR.gov sometimes, it is obsolete, and everything is all about SAM.gov these days.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.

What Is SAM Registration? 5 Crucial Facts For Contractors

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If you are new to the world of government contracting, you might be wondering, “what is SAM registration?” This is the first step that you before you become a government contractor. No person or company can be classified as a government contractor without first completing SAM registration. Here are a few facts that you need to know.

 

  1. SAM Is The System For Award Management

SAM, officially the System for Award Management, is simply a database that includes all government contractors. There are hundreds of government agencies and all of them look to the private sector to provide them with goods and services. Procurement agents at each agency will use SAM to learn more about government contractors that bid on their agency contracts.

 

In order to bid on or win any government contract jobs, you must have an active SAM registration, so this is the first step into becoming a government contractor. Once you have completed SAM registration, you will receive a Commercial and Government Entities Code, or CAGE Code, which is your unique identifier in SAM. Not only will federal procurement agents expect you to have a CAGE code, if you contract with a state government agency, they also will expect you to have a CAGE code and active SAM registration.

 

  1. You Don’t Have To Complete SAM Registration Yourself

Aside from the question, “what is SAM registration?” people often ask, “how to complete SAM registration?” The process of completing SAM registration is basically filling out a huge online application form. The form has many pages, and, unfortunately, it can take 10 or more hours to complete.

 

The good news is that you can hire a third-party registration service to complete your SAM registration for you. The government won’t charge you a fee for SAM registration, but the application is extremely complicated and can be quite frustrating to fill out. Some people simply find it easier to pay us a fee and let us handle SAM registration. It’s sort of like paying an accountant to do your taxes. We handle hundreds of SAM registrations each year and can complete your application quickly and accurately so that you are eligible to bid on everything from FEMA disaster jobs to DOD contracts and much more.

 

  1. You Need To Gather Some Information First

Before you begin the SAM registration process, it is important to gather together some information. You will need your company’s Employer Identification Number, or EIN, which can be found on your tax forms. You also need your DUNS number, which stands for Data Universal Numbering System. If you don’t have a DUNS, you can register for one at no charge at www.DNB.com.

 

You also will need your bank account number and bank routing number. This is needed because government agencies will be depositing money into your bank account, so this information is kept in your SAM registration. You also need to know your NAICS codes and PSC codes.

 

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System and your NAICS codes describe the types of goods and services your company provides. PSCs are Product Service Codes, which are essentially the same thing. If you don’t know these codes, don’t worry, just provide us with some basic information about your goods and services and we will figure this out for you as we complete your SAM registration.

 

  1. SAM Is Just A Starting Point

While SAM registration must be completed and approved before you can bid on government contracts, this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as winning federal contractor jobs goes. Learning about the types of government contracts and the actual bidding process can be complicated, so be prepared to spend some time researching this process.

 

There are quite a few companies that provide training for new contractors, and if you register with your state procurement system, they often provide helpful workshops and even events where you can learn about contracting and even meet with procurement agents from various state agencies. You also can find some information about federal contracting training at GSA.gov, which is the website for the General Services Administration.

 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides some helpful information for small companies and we highly recommend this resource for any small business. Be sure to sign up with the SBA and check to see if you qualify for any set-asides. These are special designations, such as a woman-owned small business or veteran-owned small business, and the government is required to set aside a portion of its yearly contracting budget for these types of businesses.

 

Even if you are not woman-owned or veteran-owned, you might qualify for 8a certification. This program was created to help businesses owned by just about any person that belongs to a historically marginalized group and that includes people who often have faced discrimination due to their race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or other factors. If you qualify for a set-aside or 8a certification, this can make it easier to win government contracts at both the federal and state level.

 

Small businesses also should consider subcontracting. Many large Prime Contractors are required to use small businesses as subcontractors in order to win a big government contract. Subcontracting can be an easy way to get started with government contracts, as the Prime Contractor works directly with the government and handles the heavy lifting, so to speak.  To learn more about opportunities for small businesses, go to SBA.gov.

 

  1. Don’t Forget To Renew!

Your SAM registration expires every year, and it’s crucial that you renew this registration several months ahead of your expiration date. We can provide you with a quick SAM renewal so that your account does not expire. If your account expires, government agencies are no longer allowed to do business with you, and they often won’t award contracts to businesses nearing their expiration date, which is why you want to renew a couple of months early.

 

We hope this short blog has answered the question – what is SAM registration? but if you need more help, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. If you want to get started with your SAM registration and would like to hire us to complete the application, 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.

5 Essential Tips For FEMA Contractors

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency is one of the hundreds of federal agencies that enlist the services of government contractors. For those who wish to work as FEMA contractors, we can help you with the first step, SAM registration, and also provide you with some essential tips, including the following.

1. Research FEMA
Whenever you take on a new client, it’s smart to learn a bit about the company and how it operates. The same is true with government contracting jobs. If you want to bid of FEMA disaster jobs, you’ll want to learn a bit about FEMA. For instance, FEMA is an agency working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and was created by President Carter in 1978. At one point, FEMA was actually an independent agency, but it was placed under DHS in 2003.

FEMA is divided into 10 regions across the United States and each region has a central office. FEMA contractors can work in any region, although, from a logistical perspective, it’s often easier to bid on jobs in your region. Here’s a link to FEMA’s regions map – https://www.fema.gov/about/organization/regions. You can learn more about FEMA and read its mission statement at https://www.fema.gov/about/mission.

2. Check To See If Your Business Is A Match
FEMA is called in to help with a wide range of disasters, including floods, tornadoes, fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters, but they’ve also been called in to help with the current pandemic. When you think about FEMA, you might think only about disaster clean-up jobs, but the following goods and services are the most needed items by FEMA:

• Infant/Toddler Products
• Durable Medical Equipment Kits
• Consumable Medical Supplies Kits
• Plastic Sheeting
• Tarps
• Blankets
• Comfort/ Hygiene Kits
• Water
• Meals
• Forklift Rentals
• Cargo Vans
• Security Guard Services
• Generators
• Cots
• Joint Field Office Kit
• Leased Copiers
• Leased Generators
• Office Supplies
• Shredded Bins
• Portable Toilets
• Sign Language
• Temporary Labor
• Janitorial Services

If you can provide any of these goods or services, you probably are a good fit for FEMA, but those aren’t the only goods or services they will need throughout the year. You can head to Beta.SAM.gov to find more contracting opportunities.

When you get to Beta.SAM.gov, you can use this government search engine to find all types of government contractor jobs, and not just FEMA contractor jobs. On the homepage, scroll down a bit and you will see a section marked “Contract Opportunities (FBO).” Click on the “Search Contract Opportunities” and this will take you to the search engine.

As a side note, the FBO stands for FedBizOpps, and this used to be the location where one went to find government contracting jobs, but that website is obsolete. You still may hear people talk about FedBizOpps, so it’s important to know that Beta.SAM.gov has replaced FedBizOpps.

Anyway, when you get to the search engine at Beta.SAM.gov, you can search by “Federal Organization.” Be sure to type in the full name and not FEMA, as it doesn’t recognize acronyms. You can scroll through the listings, and you will see that there are many other types of goods and services needed by FEMA aside from the list above.

One easy way to see if you match FEMA’s current needs is to select FEMA and also enter your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes into the system. These codes describe precisely the type of goods and services your company provides, and this can be a great way to find exact contracting matches for your company.

3. Don’t Forget About Your State
Many people mistakenly believe that FEMA just shows up whenever disaster strikes, but the process is more complicated than that. The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (also known as The Stafford Act) sets the process for how FEMA is called in to help after a disaster.

For instance, the governor of a state must first contact the regional FEMA office and request help. This regional office will conduct an assessment of the disaster and the governor also must follow the guidelines of the state’s emergency plan. If it’s determined that the state does need federal assistance, the President has to declare that a major disaster has occurred and then FEMA can come in and help with response and recovery.

While this is a long explanation, it brings us to an important point. Every state (and territory) has its own disaster response agency and there’s no reason why you can’t contract with those agencies as well as FEMA. Often, a state can handle a disaster on its own but will need support from the private sector. So, be sure to search for contracting opportunities within your state as well as on the federal level.

4. Be Prepared & Learn About Contracting
They say that preparation is half the battle, and this is certainly true in case of natural disaster, but it’s also true when it comes to government contractor jobs. Many new contractors mistakenly believe that once you complete SAM registration, it’s easy to attain government contracts.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged (by those who have already dived into government contracting) that contracting can be difficult. While you are perfectly capable of producing a good or offering a service, but do you understand the different types of government contracts? Do you know how to bid on jobs? Do you have an amazing capability statement? Have you signed up with the Small Business Administration (SBA)?

While government contracting is lucrative and usually well worth tackling the learning curve, there’s no getting around the fact that you need to learn all that you can about government contracting. You need to research the bidding process and understand various types of contracts.

You need to create a capability statement, which is basically a resume for the government, and you need to sign up with SBA if you qualify as a small business. SBA has many resources for small businesses, and this includes government contracting resources. If you qualify as a type of small business, this can make it easier to win contacts, as the government sets aside a portion of all contracting dollars just for small businesses.

5. Think Beyond FEMA
While FEMA contractors can enjoy much success with government contracting, there are hundreds of government agencies, including federal, state, county and local agencies. All of these agencies use government contractors. If you don’t see that you are a good match for FEMA, that doesn’t mean that many other agencies won’t need your services.

To search for your state’s procurement office, just do an internet search with your state name and the word procurement. For instance, when we search for “Oregon” and “procurement,” the first result is the Procurement Services division of the Oregon state government. Just ensure that you click on webpages that have URLs that end in .gov, as these are government-supported websites.

Of course, for potential FEMA contractors or any government contractor, the first step is always completing your System for Award Management registration, or SAM registration. While the government does not charge a fee for this service, many people decide to hire a third-party registration service for this process.

SAM registration can be a complicated and frustrating task and can take 10 or more hours to complete. It can simply be easier and faster to pay an expert to handle this task, and we handle hundreds of SAM registration every year.

We can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately so that you will be approved and ready to serve as FEMA contractors soon. To get started, call us at (800) 985-7658 or simply click on the green “New Registration” tab on our homepage.

Cage Codes Explained: 5 Facts You Need To Know

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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.

7 Disaster Relief Jobs The Government Always Needs

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Whenever the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is called in to help after a disaster, government contractors are enlisted to provide support. These disaster relief jobs can be a lucrative option for many types of companies, and the following tasks are generally always needed. If your company can provide these goods or services, you can complete your SAM registration and bid on disaster relief contracts.

1. Water Restoration Services
If you own a company that can help with water restoration or mold remediation services, these often are needed by FEMA as well as other government agencies. Disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and even the recent deep freeze in Texas all can cause issues with water and mold. The government might need a company to quickly come in and remove water damage to a government-owned facility. In some cases, the government might need related services such as hazardous waste collection or even bioremediation services.

2. Sanitation-Related Services
Whether you can provide portable toilets or portable hand-wash stations or even items such as hand sanitizer or toilet paper, these are often needed at the scene of many disasters. The government also might need these items at vaccination sites or other temporary locations. Custodial services, in general, also often are needed as part of disaster relief.

In some cases, if you can provide these items, it’s smart to complete SAM registration and bid on disaster relief contracts, but also look into GSA contracts, which are officially known as GSA Schedules. The General Services Administration, or GSA, enlists the help of private companies to provide all sorts of products and services for federal government agencies. GSA Schedules are lists of private companies that are approved to provide these goods and services. It takes time to get on a GSA Schedule, but it can be a good option, as it will help you bypass the contracting process.

For instance, if you can provide hand soap consistently for the government, an agency can look at GSA Schedules and see that you are an approved provider. This means that their procurement agents don’t have to create a full proposal to find these items, they can choose from companies already approved as vendors. State governments also can buy from GSA Schedules and even some contractors, so this definitely can be a lucrative option.

3. Medical Supplies
Whenever there is a disaster, medical supplies are always needed. FEMA tends to keep some level of supplies on hand, and they get all of these supplies from government contractors. If you can provide items such as syringes, bandages, alcohol wipes, gloves, masks or anything else that might be needed by medical personnel during a disaster, this might be a contracting job to consider. Of course, many agencies need medical supplies throughout the year, so be sure to look beyond FEMA contractor jobs.

4. Language Services
When you think about disaster relief jobs, language services might not immediately spring to mind, but it’s always a possibility that the services of interpreters will be needed in a disaster situation. Whether you are fluent in Spanish, American Sign Language, Mandarin, Farsi or something else, this might be needed during a disaster. There also is a GSA Schedule for language services, so keep that in mind if you provide translation services or interpreter services.

5. Repair Services
When disasters strike, repairs are needed and that could mean just about any type of repair. Whether your company provides plumbing services, electrician services, automotive repair, drywall repair, HVAC repair or any other type of repair services, these may be needed for disaster relief. Of course, the government also needs these services even when no disaster is present, so if you can provide repair services of just about any kind, there are usually government contractor jobs available.

6. Security Services
Security services are needed by many government agencies, and not just as disaster relief jobs, although FEMA often requests security firms to bid on government contracting jobs. If your company provides security guards or even items such as security fencing or alarm systems and cameras, there may be contacting opportunities available for you from time to time.

7. Debris Removal
This type of service is an obvious match to disaster relief jobs, as natural disasters tend to leave a plethora of debris behind. If you can provide these types of services, FEMA and other government agencies will need your assistance after many disasters. In general, if you can provide any type of waste removal, there are always jobs available, although there are several different categories of waste removal recognized by the federal government.

Even if you don’t see your type of business here, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any disaster relief jobs available within your industry. Keep in mind, that disaster relief is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to government contracting. There are hundreds of government agencies, and they need everything from baked goods to computer repair to landscape maintenance. To see if your company’s goods and services are a match for any contracting jobs, head to Beta.SAM.gov and browse through the contracting opportunities. Chances are you will find several matches, even if they aren’t with FEMA.

Get Started With SAM Registration
Before you can bid on any disaster relief jobs or become part of a GSA schedule, you will need to complete your SAM registration. SAM stands for System for Award Management and this is the federal database that includes all government contractors. While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, many people opt to hire a third-party registration service for this process, such as Federal Contractor Registry.

We handle hundreds of SAM registration and SAM renewals throughout the year, and we can complete your SAM application quickly and accurately. The SAM registration process can be time-consuming (10 hours or more) and extremely frustrating. It’s full of complicated government-speak and many people give up on government contracting because the SAM registration process is too complicated.

However, hiring a third-party, such as our company, can relieve you of this frustration and you will be eligible to bid on disaster relief jobs and other types of government contractor jobs in no time at all. If you are interested in becoming a government contractor and would like us to handle your SAM registration, give us a call at (800) 985-7658 or just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage.

SAM.gov Registration: Read This Before You Sign Up

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As you probably know, the System for Award Management (SAM) is a large database that includes all government contractors. SAM.gov registration is required for anyone who wants to bid on government contracts, and, at Federal Contractor Registry, we can help. But first, let’s answer some questions.

1. Is My Company a Good Match for Government Contracting?
Before you dive into government contracting, it’s a good idea to discover if there’s a need for your goods and services. In general, the government needs help from just about any industry, but some have more opportunities than others.

One quick way to find out if your company is a good match for contracting is to head to Beta.SAM.gov and take a look and see what contracts are available presently. We recommend that you search either using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes or your Product Service Codes (PSCs).

These codes describe the types of goods and services different companies can provide. To find your NAICS codes, go to https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/. PSCs can be found at https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/top_requests/PSC_Manual_FY2016_Oct1_2015.pdf.
This can be an efficient way to search because you will see how many contracts match what you can provide to the government. If you find multiple opportunities, chances are, your company probably is a good fit.

Keep in mind that there are also many state contracting opportunities to consider, so it’s not just about finding government contracting jobs at the federal level. It’s not just about FEMA Contractor Jobs or DOD contracts, contracts at the state level can be a great option.

2. Why Should I Pay For SAM.gov Registration?
The Federal Service Desk (FSD) does not charge individuals or companies a fee to completed SAM.gov registration. However, many people choose to hire a third-party registration service simply because it’s easier and faster than trying to complete the registration on your own.

The SAM application is long and confusing and can take 10 or more hours to complete. Many of our customers are people who got started with their SAM.gov registration and quickly became frustrated and contacted us instead. We handle hundreds of SAM registrations for all types of companies, and we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately so that you can be approved and ready to work with the government.

If you pay an accountant to complete your taxes, hiring someone to complete your SAM registration is a similar option. We can fill out tax forms for free, but the tax code is not easy to understand and mistakes can be costly. Sometimes, it just makes sense to hire an expert and leave the details to someone with more experience.

3. What About The SAM Notarized Letter?
You may or may not have heard that to complete SAM registration, you also must send a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk listing your Entity Administrator. This requirement is only a few years old, and there is some confusion about it. There are rumors, for instance, that you cannot gain SAM registration approval without this letter first being approved. While you do have to complete the letter and send it in, the government won’t delay approving your SAM registration.

When the letter first became required, the government did want your letter to be received and filed before SAM registration approval. Unfortunately, with so many letters to be reviewed and approved, the Federal Service Desk fell behind and this delayed SAM registrations and SAM renewals for thousands of contractors.

Eventually, the government decided that, while it wants you to send in the letter, you can still be approved for SAM registration before it has been received by the Federal Service Desk. In this letter, you simply let the government know the name of the person who is authorized to make changes to your SAM account, and this person is known as the Entity Administrator.

Just a few months ago, the government updated the FSD.gov website, and now it can be tricky to find the template for this letter. We tracked it down on this page of the FSD.gov website – https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp/?id=gsafsd_kb_articles&sys_id=f4b609451b8268d08aa3a8eae54bcb06.

Simply scroll down the page to the links for the letter templates, select the template that fits your company, and click. Follow the instructions precisely, and you should have no trouble getting your letter approved.

4. How Do You Bid on Jobs?
Government contractor jobs can be profitable, but in those first few months or even the first year, there is quite a learning curve. You have to learn about different types of contracts, proposal writing, GSA schedules, subcontracting and more. It can take up to a year to earn your first federal contracting job, and you have much to learn as you begin this process.

First, if you are a smaller business, take advantage of the resources provided by the Small Business Association. They have an online contracting guide, and you also can register for special categories known as set-asides. The government sets aside a portion of its yearly contracting budget for specific types of small businesses and if you qualify for a set-aside, it can be easier to contracts.

Every state has a procurement agency, and once you have registered with SAM and are approved, it is wise to register with your state agency. Not only are there many contracting opportunities at the state level, which may be easier to attain, many states host events where contractors can learn about contracting in general and also meet procurement agents from various state government agencies.

Additionally, you can sign up for events sponsored by prime contractors. A prime contractor technically is anyone who holds a government contract. However, with many large contracts, these prime contractors will need to outsource some of the work. Becoming a subcontractor can be one of the easiest ways to become involved in government contracting, and after you’ve learned the ropes from a prime contractor, you are more likely to be able to bid and win contracts on your own.

There are many private companies out there that also offer workshops and resources for new government contracts. Doing research is crucial, and while it can be time-consuming, government contracts can be well-worth the time it takes to learn the contracting process.

While government contracting can be confusing, it also can be an excellent source of income and a fantastic way to build your company. Unlike other clients, the government always pays its bills, even during a recession, so it can provide a stable source of income. If you want to get started with government contracting jobs, give us a call (800) 985-7658 and we can handle your SAM.gov registration, or you can click on the green New Registration tab on our home page.

Government Contracting Acronyms & Terminology

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While government contracting can be lucrative, there’s no getting around the fact that newbie contractors have a lot to learn. The mountain of government contracting acronyms and terminology can be tricky to understand, but at Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you get started with contracting and demystify some of the common terms you might see, including the following.

System for Award Management (SAM):
For the rest of the blog, we will head down the list in alphabetical order, but the System for Award Management (SAM) is important enough that it deserves a spot at the top. SAM is a huge database that includes information about all government contractors. If you want to work with any federal government agency (and many state agencies), you need to complete SAM registration. We can complete SAM registration for you quickly and accurately, but we will talk more about that in a bit. First, let’s look at some other common government terms.

Beta.SAM.gov
On this website, you can search for contracting opportunities. In the past, you went to FedBizOpps or FBO.gov, but that has been replaced by Beta.SAM.gov. If you go to the homepage, scroll down to Contract Opportunities and click on “Search Contract Opportunities.” This will take you to a search engine listing current and past government contracts. There are many ways to search – by date, by federal organization, location, NAICS codes, PSCs, Set Asides and more.

We go into more detail about NAICS codes, PSCs and Set Asides later in this article, and using these tend to be the easiest way to search for contracting jobs. Keep in mind you can use multiple search parameters such as location and NAICS codes, and this can be your best option.

Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Codes:
You may be wondering, “how do I get a CAGE code,” and that’s not surprising. Without a CAGE code, you cannot do business with the federal government. This is a unique identifier given to each company or person after they have completed SAM registration. Not only with agents from federal agencies ask for your CAGE code, but state government personnel often also will ask for your CAGE code if you bid on state-level or county-level government contracting jobs. Sometimes, you might hear SAM registrations or SAM renewal called CAGE code registration or CAGE code renewal.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR):
Before there was SAM, there was CCR. This was a database with government contractors, but it no longer exists. We are writing about it, however, because we still see references to CCR or CCR.gov from time to time, and we know all of this terminology can be confusing. However, if you see CCR, just dismiss it as everything is in SAM now.

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
To register with SAM, you have to provide a DUNS number. If your company does not already have a DUNS, you can apply for one at the Dun & Bradstreet website at no charge. It will take a few days for Dun & Bradstreet to send you this number, but it is an easy process to apply.

Government agencies sometimes search for contractors using DUNS numbers, and it’s required for SAM registration, but it will be changing sometime in the future. The government was supposed to switch over to a new system in 2020, but the pandemic sort of put that on the backburner. The new number will be known as a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and won’t be issued by Dun & Bradstreet. However, this is not something to worry about as the government has decided to phase this in between now and April 2022.

Entity Administrator
When you first complete your SAM registration, you have to send a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk (the agency in charge of SAM) to inform them who is your Entity Administrator. This is simply the person in your company that is authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

The Federal Service Desk, or FSD, updated its website in December 2020 and finding the notarized letter information used to be a fairly easy process, but it definitely is a bit trickier now. To learn more about the notarized letter requirement, head to FSD.gov and type “notarized letter” into the Search Knowledge Base section.

Once you click there, the first result states, “How can I become the new administrator for our entity registration?” Click on that link, and you will find tips about the notarized letter and links to templates. Fortunately, once you’ve sent in this letter, you never have to do it again unless the Entity Administrator is changed.

GSA Schedules
The GSA (General Services Administration) is the agency that procures many goods and services for other federal agencies. For instance, they provide a fleet of automobiles and trucks for various government agencies. They also manage and maintain many government-owned buildings. GSA Schedules are special long-term contracts that allow government contractors to sell goods and services again and again to government agencies.

Here’s a quick example. Let’s say you manufacture computer monitors. All government agencies will need monitors from time to time. Instead of creating a new contract every time they need computer monitors and looking at proposals from many contractors, they can simply use a vendor with a GSA Schedule Contract. This simplifies the process for both the agency and the vendor.

Attaining a GSA Schedule Contract is not an easy or a quick process, but if you are approved, it can be much easier and faster to sell to the government. Not all businesses will qualify for GSA Schedules and you do have to meet certain criteria in order to participate in this program. To learn more about this program, go to https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/purchasing-programs/gsa-schedules.

Historically Underutilized Zones (HUBZones):
Small businesses located in HUBZones sometimes have an easier time acquiring government contracts. HUBZones were created to promote small businesses in areas prone to economic hardship. These zones are located in rural areas, urban areas and even on Tribal reservations. In some cases, a HUBZone also might be in an area hit by a major disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado. These are temporary HUBZones created to improve the economy in an area affected by a disaster.

Government contracting jobs can be easier to win if your business is small and located in a HUBZone and at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars are set aside for HUBZone-certified businesses. To learn more about the HUBZone program, go to https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program.

Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN):
This is the code or password that you create for your business’ SAM listing. While someone might ask for your CAGE code, no one should ever ask for your MPIN number. Do not let anyone have access to your MPIN other than your Entity Administrator.

North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):
This is a handbook that contains codes for virtually every type of good and service you could imagine. Whether your company builds fencing, repairs heating systems or provides financial services, there are NAICS codes to fit these goods and services. There are codes for farming, restaurants, toy manufacturing, furniture retailers, clothing manufacturers, advertising, information technology and thousands of other industries.

When you register with SAM, you will need to provide NAICS codes. You can find the most recent NAICS manual at https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/ or we can help you determine these codes if you hire us to complete your SAM registration.

Online Representations & Certification Application (ORCA)
This was the online database of government contractors before SAM was created. ORCA no longer exists, but you do still sometimes see references to ORCA and ORCA government contracts. All you need to know is that ORCA has been replaced by SAM and is now obsolete.

Prime Contractor
These are large businesses that often need or are required to use the services of smaller businesses, or subcontractors. For instance, a company such as Boeing is a prime contractor, but they might use subcontractors to acquire goods and services they need to complete a government contract. In many cases, prime contractors are required to use small business subcontractors in order to win a contract.

Procurement/Purchasing Agent:
This is the person at each government agency who makes decisions about government contracting. While private companies also sometimes have procurement agents or purchasing agents, there are many more rules surrounding government contracting. For instance, in a government setting, a supervisor or cannot simply select a vendor as might happen in a private company. There are set processes and many rules regarding how the government acquires goods and services, and the procurement agent (and their staff) is in charge of the process.

Product Service Codes (PSCs):
These codes are similar to NAICS codes, as they describe the goods and services that your business offers. These will be listed on your SAM registration as well as on your Capability Statement. Procurement agents and even prime contractors can search in SAM.beta.gov for companies using PSCs. We can help you determine these codes during the SAM registration process, or you can find a guide with PSCs at https://www.fpds.gov/downloads/top_requests/PSC_Manual_FY2016_Oct1_2015.pdf.

Small Business Administration (SBA):
This one is slightly out of alphabetical order because it makes more sense to place it ahead of the following term – Set Asides. The SBA has a ton of resources for small business owners, and many businesses that might not seem small actually qualify for SBA programs. SBA government contracting can be a great option for small businesses.

To see if your business qualifies, go to https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/ and you can see if your business is eligible for government contracting programs sponsored by the SBA. The SBA also can help small business owners with loans, grants and even finding investment capital.

Set Asides
The federal government sets aside a portion of its yearly government contracting budget just for small businesses. You might qualify as a general small business, but you also might qualify for special “set aside” categories. These include woman-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses and businesses located in HUBZones.

Any government contract worth $150,000 or less automatically is set aside only for owners of small businesses. There are plenty of more lucrative contracts you can bid on, but with anything over this amount, you likely will be competing with larger businesses, although sometimes larger contracts are set aside for qualifying small businesses.

Typically, procurement agents are supposed to look to small businesses first to fulfill government contracts, even if the value is more than $150,000. This is why it is so important to sign up with SBA and see what set asides fit your business.

8(a) Contracts
This is another type of SBA set aside designed for what the government has determined are socially and/or economically disadvantaged businesses. If you belong to just about any group that has faced discrimination due to race, creed, religion, gender (or gender identity), disability, sexual orientation, etc., and you own 50% or more of a small business, you may qualify for this program.

Get Started With Government Contracting Now – We Can Help!
At Federal Contractor Registry, we complete SAM registration and SAM renewals for all types of companies, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and everything in between. While the government does not charge a fee to register with SAM, heading to SAM.gov and filling out the lengthy application is a frustrating and complicated process and many people simply hire a third-party registration service to complete their SAM registrations.

While we do charge a fee, we can ensure that your SAM registration is completely quickly and correctly, saving you time and the aggravation of trying to figure out each section of the application. In many ways, we are similar to accountants. While you could fill out your tax forms, these are often complicated and frustrating, so hiring an expert makes sense.

If you want to get started with government contracting, we can complete your SAM registration and as soon as the government approves your application, you will be eligible to bid on contracts. Give us a call today or click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage, and one of our registration specialists will be in touch to get started on your SAM registration as soon as possible.

Federal Contractor Jobs: Get Started In 2021

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While 2020 was a difficult year for many small businesses (and quite a few larger ones, too), the new year is upon and us and we can look forward with hope to brighter times and the possibility of federal contractor jobs. If you haven’t yet dived into the world of government contracting, now is a perfect time, and here’s why.

1. Federal Contractor Jobs Are Plentiful
The government spends billions of dollars every year buying goods and services from private companies. These include huge corporations, but also plenty of mid-size and small businesses. In fact, the government sets aside a specific amount of its yearly contracting budget just for qualifying small businesses.

If you qualify as a general small business, you also might qualify for what are known as “set asides.” These are special categories created by the Small Business Administration, and government agencies set aside a portion of their budget for these special businesses. These “set asides” include categories such as Woman-Owned Small Business or Veteran-Owned Small Business. These are just a few set asides for which your business might qualify.

You can go to SBA.gov to see if your company qualifies as a small business and to learn more about different types of set asides and 8(a) contracts, which are set-aside contracts for what are known as small disadvantaged businesses and there are many “disadvantages” that will qualify you for this program, such as your location or if you are owned by a person who historically has faced discrimination due to race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, religion or disability.

In general, all contracts worth $150,000 or less are awarded to small businesses, some are “disadvantaged” while others are just general small businesses. Either way, you should take advantage of these opportunities and all that the Small Business Administration has to offer.

Of course, small, mid-size and large companies can compete for government contract jobs worth $150,000 or more. It simply takes time and patience and some serious research to understand the bidding process, types of government contracts and types of bids. While it’s a vastly different world than the private sector, government contracts can be lucrative, and the government always pays its bills.

2. There’s Something For Just About Any Business
When you think about federal contractor jobs, you might think about aerospace or construction or even FEMA disaster jobs. But the government attains most of its goods and services from the private sector, and this includes everything from copy paper to catering services to repair services and much more.

Whether you run an advertising agency or provide janitorial services or repair computers, there’s usually a government agency that needs your services. The System for Award Management (SAM) is the huge central database that includes information about every government contractor and also has a search engine where you can look for contracting opportunities. To see what’s out there for your specific type of business, head to Beta.SAM.gov.

The easiest way to search is by using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes or using your Product Service Codes (PSCs). These codes describe the specific goods and services that your company provides. When you use this search parameter, you will tend to find the best contracting matches for your company.

3. State & Local Contractor Jobs Are Lucrative, Too
Keep in mind, that while federal contractor jobs can be lucrative, state and local governments also offer a myriad of contracting jobs throughout the year. You will need to sign up with your state procurement office in order to be eligible for many of these jobs.

To find your state’s procurement, do an internet search for your state name with the word “procurement” next to it. This is the term to describe how the government procures or attains goods and services. Once you get a list of responses from your internet search, click on the result with a .gov extension as this will be the official government site.

4. Federal Contractor Jobs Are Recession-Proof
While many private sector companies cut back business during difficult financial times, the government still needs goods and services. After the government still has to provide services for its citizens. FEMA, the Department of Defense and the many hundreds of other agencies still need help from government contractors.

Government shutdowns can affect contractors, but these typically only last a few days or weeks at most and are fairly rare although we have seen our share of them in the last few years. In some cases, even if the government shuts down, the agency you work with already has their budgeted monies and still may be able to pay you.

5. We Can Help You Get Started
To be honest, while federal contractor jobs can be lucrative, learning the ropes of government contracting is not always easy. The first step is to register with the System for Award Management, which is typically just called SAM registration. At Federal Contractor Registry, this is all that we do. We complete SAM registrations for companies of all sizes, from small businesses up to Fortune 500 firms.

We do charge a fee for our services, and you might be wondering why. After all, the government does not charge a fee to register with SAM. However, SAM registration is confusing and time-consuming, easily taking 10 or more hours to complete. Many people become frustrated with the process, which includes a plethora of government-speak that can be difficult for new government contractors to understand.

We can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately so that you are approved by the Federal Service Desk (the agency in charge of SAM), and eligible for contracting jobs as quickly as possible. We usually liken ourselves to accountants. You could complete your tax forms by yourself, but the process is time-consuming and complicated, and if you make a mistake, there are serious penalties so it’s easier just to hire an accountant. SAM registration is tricky, so it’s often simply easier to hire a professional registration service.

While the whole process of attaining federal contractor jobs can seem daunting, there is help out there. State government procurement agencies often host webinars or provide helpful information for contractors and the Small Business Administration also provides a ton of help for small businesses owners that wish to get into federal contracting.

Take advantage of help where you can get it, and if you would like to have us handle your SAM registration, you can just click on the 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 get started with your SAM registration and get you on the path toward winning federal contractor jobs.

FEMA Disaster Jobs: 5 Facts You Need To Know

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is charged with helping Americans in the wake of all types of disasters, including hurricanes, fires, floods, tornadoes, pandemics and more. FEMA disaster jobs can be a lucrative option for many companies, but there are a few things you need to know before you consider working with FEMA or any government agency.

1. SAM Registration is Required
The first step toward working with the federal government (or even most state and local governments) is to complete your System for Award Management (SAM) registration. The System for Award Management is the database that includes information about all government contractors.

Once you register and your application is approved, you will receive a Corporate and Government Entities Code, or CAGE Code. This is your unique identifier in SAM and without a CAGE Code and an active SAM registration you cannot bid on FEMA disaster jobs or jobs with any other federal government agency.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately. We do charge a fee for our services, and you might be wondering why you would pay for SAM registration services when you could go to SAM.gov and complete this task yourself at no charge.

Unfortunately, while the government does not charge a fee to register with SAM, it’s a complicated and frustrating process. The application can take 10 or more hours to complete and is filled with a myriad of confusing acronyms and government-speak.

We get calls every day from folks that started the registration process and quickly became confused. Many others just give up, and that’s a shame. The government spends billions each year on contracting jobs, and this can be solid income for your business. Hire us to complete your SAM registration and we will handle your registration quickly so that you can start bidding on FEMA disaster jobs or jobs with other agencies.

2. Learn How To Find FEMA Disaster Jobs
In some cases, FEMA jobs are easier to attain than other government contracting jobs simply because FEMA will need many goods and services very quickly if there is a disaster. If you can provide natural disaster clean-up, tents, cots, temporary shelters, medical kits, water, portable toilets, blankets etc. in a timely fashion, these are just a few things FEMA might need very quickly.

Of course, FEMA also gathers supplies throughout the year so that they will be prepared in advance when a disaster occurs. Sometimes it’s not just about FEMA disaster jobs, it’s also about supplying FEMA so that it will be prepared for an emergency.

At any rate, to get an idea of the types of jobs that are available, you will want to head to Beta.SAM.gov. This is the search engine for government contractor jobs. In the past, FedBizOpps.gov or FBO.gov was where you went to search for jobs, but this site is obsolete.

At Beta.SAM.gov, you can search for jobs using a variety of parameters, but for those hoping to become FEMA contractors, you will want to go under the Federal Organizations taskbar and type in Federal Emergency Management Agency. Typing in the acronym FEMA will not work. From there, you can browse through the results or perhaps tack on a few other parameters to your search, such as your NAICS codes or PSCs (Product Service Codes). Both of these codes indicate the type of goods or services your business can provide, and we can help you determine these codes as we complete your SAM registration.

A recent search at Beta.SAM.gov came up with hundreds of contracting jobs, some were current, others were closed to bidding. The types of jobs ranged from mold inspection services to ASL interpreting services to generator maintenance and much more.

Keep in mind, once your complete SAM registration and are approved, you can work with any government agency. You don’t have to just limit yourself to FEMA. There are hundreds of federal agencies and offices and they all need government contractors from time to time. Your state government also needs government contracting jobs, and these can be just as lucrative as the federal contracting jobs.

3. Determine If You Qualify For Set Asides
While government contracting jobs are available for all types and sizes of businesses, the government takes extra steps to try and promote small businesses. They do this by setting aside a portion of government contracting dollars specifically for small businesses.

You can go to SBA.gov to see if you qualify as a small business, and to learn more about “Set Asides.” These are categories, such as a woman-owned small business, a veteran-owned small business and several others. Basically, if your business is owned, 50% or more, by a veteran or a person who is considered disadvantaged (due to gender, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, etc.), the government sets aside contracting dollars for these businesses.

In order to qualify for set asides, you will need to register with the Small Business Administration. The SBA’s website also can be a great resource for small business owners in general. They provide helpful tips for business owners, webinars, loans and much more to help you grow your business. We highly recommend that you take a look at all SBA has to offer and take advantage of it.

4. Differentiate Your Company With A Killer Capability Statement
Everyone needs a great resume, right? Well, a capability statement is a resume for your company, and all government procurement agents will expect you to have one. Typically, you want to keep this statement to just one or two pages, just as you would with a regular resume, however, it does have some key differences from a typical American resume.

The sections of a capability statement should include:
• Contact Information – The phone number & email of the person in your company that is the main contact for government contracting
• Company Details – This includes NAICS codes, PSCs, Set Asides, your CAGE Code, etc.
• A Corporate Overview – This is a brief description of your company and its goods and services, and possibly a quick discussion of your mission statement and standards.
• Core Competencies – This usually should be a list of all of the services you can provide
• Past Performances – This is a list of previous or current clients
• Differentiators – This is an area where you set yourself apart from other similar companies, perhaps you might list your years of experience, on-going training, awards, you are family-owned, etc.

Whether you are bidding on FEMA disaster jobs or trying to work with another federal agency or even a state agency, they will all expect you to have a capability statement. You can create this yourself or contact a company that specializes in creating capability statements. Just as with resume writing, there are experts that can help you with this document.

5. Consider GSA Schedules
The General Services Administration is the agency that manages all federal property and also helps provide goods and services for federal agencies. For instance, they manage many government buildings (such as courthouses), and they provide cars, trucks and vans to government agencies.

While we could write a book or at least a lengthy brochure about GSA schedules, here’s a basic definition. If you get on a GSA schedule, you are an approved vendor for the U.S. federal government. You have a long-term contract with the government and about 20% of all federal contracting dollars are spent via GSA schedules.

Earning GSA contracts can take time, and it’s a complicated process, but it can make it easier for you to sell goods and services to the government. In many cases, you can bypass the whole contracting process and sell more quickly and easily to various government agencies.

It can take up to a year to get approved for a GSA schedule, so understand it is absolutely not a quick process, but once you are in, you become a go-to vendor for government agencies (including FEMA) for many years. To learn more, go to GSA.gov. Keep in mind, you can continue to bid on other government contracts even if you are on a GSA schedule.

To wrap up, FEMA disaster jobs can be quite profitable, but there’s a lot for potential contractors to learn before diving into the process. In many cases, it can take a year or more to earn that first contract, but we highly recommend that you stick with it. If you want to get started, give us a call today or click on the New Registration tab on our homepage, and we will complete your SAM registration as quickly as possible. We also offer SAM renewal services, which need to be completed every year, and usually several months in advance of your expiration date.

Beta.SAM.gov: The Government’s New FedBizOpps

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If you want to bid on government contracting jobs, you have to find out what’s available. In the past, the government website FedBizOpps.gov or FBO.gov was the place to go. However, this has changed and FedBizOpps no longer exists and BetaSAM or rather Beta.SAM.gov is the place to go.

Several years ago, the government created a huge database that includes information about every government contractor. This is called the System for Award Management or SAM. In order to do business with the federal government, a company or person must first complete their SAM registration, but we’ll talk more about that in a minute. First, let’s focus on BetaSam.

When you head to Beta.SAM.gov, you can begin to search for government contracts in a few different ways. Right at the top of the page, you will see a search bar that says “I’m looking for . . .” You can go to the tab that says, “All Award Data,” and click on the drop-down menu and select “Contract Opportunities,” and this will take you to the search page.

Additionally, if you are on the homepage of BetaSAM, you can just scroll down a little bit and you will find a Contracting section. Under this, you will see Contract Opportunities (FBO) and beneath that, you can either click on “Learn About Contract Opportunities,” or if you want to go directly to the search engine, simply click on “Search Contract Opportunities.”

How To Use Beta.SAM.gov
Once you reach the search engine, you have several search options to consider. You search using the following criteria:
• Keyword
• Inactive Date
• Published Date
• Updated Date
• Response/Date Offers Due
• Federal Organizations
• Type of Notice
• Entity Name/DUNS
• NAICS
• PSC
• Set Aside
• Place of Performance Location

Let’s take a quick look at each of these options. It is important to note, though, you can search using multiple parameters, which often is your best option.

Keyword
The keyword option is just what it sounds like. You search using keywords that might describe the type of contract you want or the type of service you provide. For instance, if you want to help with disaster relief, you might use the keyword “disaster.” If you want to offer janitorial services or products, you might use the keyword “janitorial.” While this can yield solid results, it’s not always the best way to find a match for your company’s goods and services.

Dates
You can search by Inactive Date, which is when the contract becomes or became inactive. The Published Date, which means the date the government agency published the contract, or by Updated Date, as sometimes agencies will change a contract end date or start date. You also can search by Response/Date Offers Due, which basically means when the due date for your bid. While you can search using dates, it’s usually not the best option unless you mix it with other parameters.

Federal Organizations
If you want to work with a specific federal agency or office, you can search using this parameter. For instance, if you want to bid on FEMA disaster relief jobs, you could search this agency by typing Federal Emergency Management Agency into the search box. Typing the acronym FEMA will not work.

Likewise, if you want to work with the Department of Defense, typing DOD will not work. You will need to type the word Defense. For NASA, you cannot type in NASA, you need to type in National Aeronautics, and then you will see it pop up. This can be confusing, but just try out a few combinations until you figure out how the agency or office is listed.

Type of Notice
For those new to government contracting, this can be a confusing section, as it includes a variety of options that you might not yet understand. This includes Special Notice, Presolicitation, Solicitation, Intent to Bundle Requirements, Award Notice and several others. Until you learn more about the many facets of government contracting, you might keep this search option on the backburner, but it can be a good source for terms every government contractor needs to know.

Entity Name/DUNS
This is actually a way to search for companies that are listed in the System for Award Management rather than a way to search for contracts. However, you could do some research on another contractor using this search which works by typing in the DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) ID number.

Of course, you would need to know the DUNS number for the company in question, which can be tricky to find. Usually, this is a search for procurement agents at various federal agencies to use to look up information about a potential contractor.

Service Classifications
This includes NAICS, PSCs and Set Aside searches. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. The NAICS codes identify the specific goods and services your company provides. There are 20 different sectors for these codes, including construction, retail trade, health care and more. Within each sector are areas of specialization.

For instance, if you sell wholesale plumbing and heating equipment and supplies, you will have a code of 42372. The 42 is for the Wholesale Sector, and the remaining numbers indicate what you can provide for the government. To find your codes, you can go to https://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/2017NAICS/2017_NAICS_Manual.pdf. Or we can find them for you if we complete your SAM registration, which we will explain further down in this article.

PSCs, or Product Service Codes, are much like NAICS codes as they describe the types of products or services you can provide to the government. You can find more information about these codes at https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual. However, we also can determine these for you if we complete your SAM registration.

Set Asides are another search option. These come from the Small Business Administration. The government “sets aside” a portion of its contracting budget specifically for small businesses. In addition to qualifying as a general small business, there are several “set aside” categories, such as Woman-Owned Small Business or Veteran-Owned Small Business. These are just of the categories, and you can learn more about these set asides at SBA.gov.

When you are in BetaSAM, searching using NAICS codes, PSCs and Set Asides can be a great way to find government contacting jobs. With NAICS codes and PSCs, you know you are finding matches for your specific goods or services. You also can use multiple parameters, such as searching by NAICS codes and Set Aside.

Place Of Performance Location
This is just what it sounds like. You enter a zip code and if there are any results in that area, they will pop up. If you use this search, we recommend that you enter multiple zip codes in your area, as just one specific zip code is unlikely to produce a myriad of results.

Of course, finding opportunities at Beta.SAM.gov is just one part of the process of government contracting. You have several requirements to fulfill before you can even bid on these government contracts. You will need to complete your SAM registration and send in a notarized letter to the government identifying your company’s Entity Administrator, which is the person allowed to make changes to your SAM account.

SAM Registration Instructions
In order to become a government contractor, you must complete SAM registration, gain approval and receive a CAGE code, which is your unique identifier in SAM. You can register with SAM for free at SAM.gov, but many people opt to hire a third-party service, such as Federal Contractor Registry, to complete this process.

SAM registration is not a fast or easy process. It can take 10 or more hours to complete and is filled with complicated and confusing government jargon. Many people become frustrated with the registration process and give up on government contracting, which is a shame because can provide a great source of income and help you expand your business.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we complete hundreds of SAM registrations and SAM renewals every year for all types and sizes of companies. We can complete your registration quickly and accurately so that you can gain approval as quickly as possible. We compare ourselves to accountants. While you can complete your tax forms on your own, the tax code is very confusing, and it’s often simply easier to just hand over this task to a professional.

As we complete your SAM registration, one task that you will need to handle is sending in your notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk, which is the federal office that is in charge of SAM and other government systems. You can find instructions for this notarized letter at FSD.gov.

If you head to the homepage, go to the top where it says, “Top Help Topics.” Under the SAM section, click on “Tips for notarized letter.” This leads you to a question about notarized letters. Under the answer, it states “Use one of the templates provided in the FAQs.” If you click on the word “templates” this links to three templates. Typically, most registrants will just need to click on Template 1 and follow the instructions exactly.

Government contracting can be lucrative for many businesses. The government needs virtually every good or service imaginable. Before you give us a call to handle SAM registration, browse through some of your opportunities at Beta.SAM.gov to see what’s available for your type of business. If you see several potential contracting jobs, this indicates that you probably will be a good match for government contracting. So, give us a call, and we will get started with your SAM registration.