System for Award Management (SAM) registration is the first step on the road to government contacting and there are plenty of jobs available. Once you complete the SAM register process, your next step is to find those government contracts. Here are a few tips to help make contracting a bit easier.
1. Small Business Owners Should Get Certified
There are several small business certifications that can make it easier to procure a contracting job. For instance, there are special certifications for small businesses owned by women. There are special certifications for small businesses owned by people who are socially disadvantaged or economically disadvantaged. Businesses owned by service-disabled veterans also may be eligible for special certifications.
Sometimes agencies will search specifically for these types of certified small businesses, so if you qualify for a certification, take advantage of it. Of course, keep in mind that, no matter what type or size of business you own, the SAM register process must be completed before you apply for jobs.
2. Research Government Agencies
While you probably have heard of government agencies such as FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, there are actually dozens of federal agencies that are less well known. Some of these agencies outsource to federally-approved contractors, so it just makes sense to learn as much as you can about different federal agencies that might need your services. Sites such as FedBizOpps.gov list many different types of contracting jobs, and we also recommend that you contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) as they can provide you with all sorts of helpful advice for getting started with government contracting.
You also might consider attending the Government Procurement Conference, which is held yearly in Washington, D.C. This year’s event will be held on April 19 and includes several helpful seminars including Federal Contracting 101 and Subcontracting with Prime Contractors. There also will be many government exhibitors on site. In the past, exhibitors included the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Housing & Urban Development, Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Logistics Agency and many more. The U.S. Small Business Administration also has some short videos on its website that can be helpful for those new to government contracting. To access these videos, go to www.sba.gov and click on the Learning Center tab.
3. Learn How To Write Proposals
When you apply for a contracting job, you will need to create a job proposal. This proposal, much like a resume, needs to set you apart from the pack and convince a government agency why you are the best fit for a specific project. There are quite a few resources available online that can provide you with tips to help with this process, including the Small Business Administration (SBA), which offers a myriad of support materials for all types of small businesses wishing to get started with government contracting.
Of course, it all begins with SAM. While you can complete the SAM register process on your own, this is a very confusing and time-consuming process. In fact, it can take 10 to 15 hours to complete the entire registration process! The team at Federal Contractor Registry is here to help. We have completed thousands of these registrations and understand all of the government acronyms and the types of information needed for this process.
Save your time (and your sanity) and hire us to complete your SAM registration. To get started, simply give us a call or fill out our contact form and a representative quickly will be in touch to gather some important information and begin the SAM register process.