If you are thinking about starting the SAM.gov registration process and diving into the world of government contracting, you might be a bit overwhelmed with the whole process. We can help with the registration process, and also offer some advice about getting started in government contracting in general.
SAM (System for Award Management) is the database for all government contractors and subcontractors, and you must complete your registration, get approved and receive a CAGE code (Commercial and Government Entity) in order to start bidding on government jobs.
We can handle the registration process for you, saving you a ton of time and frustration. Typically it takes between 10 and 20 hours to complete SAM registrations and the application can be quite confusing. Technically, SAM registration is free, but time is money, so we highly recommend that you hire a third-party service, such as ourselves to handle your SAM.gov registration.
It’s just like hiring someone to do your taxes. Sure, you could file them yourself for free, but the tax code is complicated, so it just makes sense to hire a tax expert. We are SAM experts, and using our service can be a great timesaver. At any rate, you will have plenty of other tasks to handle, including the following.
1. Get Your Letter Notarized
Every potential and current government contractor must complete a notarized letter and send it to the Federal Service Desk. This letter states the name of your Entity Administrator for SAM.gov registration. This is simply the person that is authorized to make changes to your SAM account.
To find this letter, go to FSD.gov. At the top of the homepage, you’ll find a tab that states “Top Help Topics.” Hover over this tab, and you’ll see a heading that is marked “New Registration – Notarized Letter Requirement (Domestic).” Click on this section, and it will take you to a page that includes templates for the letter.
Follow the instructions on the template exactly, get the letter notarized and send it to the Federal Service Desk as soon as possible. In the past, you needed to have this letter approved in order to have your SAM.gov registration approved, but this is no longer the case. Still, this is a requirement for everyone who is registered or wishes to become registered with SAM.
2. Register With Your PTAC
The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers provides a wealth of information about government contracting for small businesses. While this is a national association, they have broken down their offices into regional offices known as PTACs (Procurement Technical Assistance Center).
To find your PTAC, go to www.APTAC-us.org., and at the top left of the homepage, you’ll find a map of the United States. Select your state and you’ll find a list of your state’s PTACs. Simply select the PTAC in your area and register with this center. Your PTAC reps will be some of the most helpful people you will meet in the world of government contracting.
Additionally, the APTAC website has tons of information about government contracting in general. If you look under the Government Contracting Assistance tab, check out the PTAC Training Events tab and the APTAC blog about government contracting. These training events and conferences can be a huge help for new government contractors.
3. Register With Your State
In addition to the many, many federal government contracting jobs, state and local governments also need contractors all the time, so it’s crucial that you register with your state, as well. Each state has a slightly different process for government contracting registration.
For instance, in Texas, you would register for the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL). To find this application, you’d need to go to Comptroller.Texas.gov. In California, you’d register with www.CalEProcure.ca.gov. If you aren’t quite sure how to find the website for your state, a Google search for “bid on government contracts (state name),” should work.
Just be sure that the website you click on has the “.gov” extension on it, so that you know it is an official government website. If you still are having difficulty, contact your PTAC rep, as this person should be able to help you find the correct website for registering with your state.
4. Build Your Capability Statement
Marketing to the government is a bit different than marketing to your typical clients. One of the items you’ll need to have in your government contracting arsenal is a solid Capability Statement.
This is a one-page document that lists basic information about your company, as well as sections regarding your core competencies, differentiators, past performances as well as tons of important facts about your company. This Capability Statement needs to appear on your website, and it’s something that you will submit with every government bid, whether you are bidding on a federal, state or local government job.
You might be wondering what each of these sections means and what to include. There are plenty of examples online regarding Capability Statements and how to create them. Basically, your Core Competencies are the types of skills or jobs you can provide, while your Differentiators are what set you apart from other businesses.
You’ll also want to include any industry certifications that you possess, as well as listing your DUNS number and CAGE code and contact information. It’s also crucial to list your NAICS codes and PSC codes. These are the codes that identify the types of services or goods you can provide. These codes also will be listed in your SAM.gov registration. When agencies look for potential contractors, they often search using NAICS codes.
To find these codes, you can go to www.NAICS.com/search or we can help you determine these codes if you use our third-party SAM registration services. There are literally hundreds of codes, and narrowing down the right ones for your business is crucial.
5. Determine Your Set-Aside Status
If you qualify as a small business, you may find it easier to win contracts. This is because the government sets aside a portion of government contracts specifically for small businesses.
Your first step should be to determine whether or not you qualify as a small business, and, if so, what type of small business. There are general small businesses, as well as Emerging Small Businesses, Woman-Owned Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and more. Not only are government contracts set aside for these types of businesses, many Prime Contractors are required to use small businesses as subcontractors in order to win a bid. Working as a subcontractor is a fantastic option for small businesses as they are just getting started with government contracting.
The Prime Contractor will handle all of the dealings with the federal agency, and act as a kind of mentor to you as you provide them with goods and services. We highly recommend that you look into subcontracting, which can be profitable and easier than working as Prime Contractor.
Again, if you need help with SAM.gov registration, contact us at any time. While you can register on your own, we can save you a great deal of time and frustration, and make it easier for you to get started bidding on those lucrative government jobs.