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.