On April 16, A&E Haberdashery, LLC was awarded its first federal contract. Valued at $13,184.55, the certified service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) will provide feminine hygiene dispensers for the VA hospital in Portland, Oregon. A&E’s recent win is just one of many examples of how a small business set-aside can truly open up opportunities with the federal government.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in March 2019 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
So you’ve done your homework and learned about the immense benefits of government contracting. Uncle Sam is a customer who has billions to spend every year, is always looking to buy, and will spend more in recessions. Plus, there are exclusive opportunities just for small businesses.
Naturally, you will want a piece of that pie and get registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Last week, a big change in federal contracting was announced.
How big?
It could...possibly...maybe...unhinge the federal marketplace as we know it (we're not sure yet).
So what's happening?
Here it is. Everything that government contractors ask about the Dun and Bradstreet number (aka DUNS number) is in this quick, and easy-to-read guide.
Everyone knows that you need to build a relationship with Contracting Officers. Have you ever considered factoring the End User (aka the person who actually uses your products/services) into the equation?
March 8, 2019 marks the 109th annual observance of International Women’s Day (IWD). On top of that, March is also recognized in the U.S. as Women’s History Month. So in the spirit of IWD and Women's History Month, let's talk about the various certifications and resources that are exclusively available for female entrepreneurs. Mainly, we'll be talking about the Woman-Owned Business Certification and the Woman-Owned Small Business Set-Aside.
Are you a business owner who previously served in our nation's armed forces? Perhaps you're a veteran who's interested in taking the entrepreneurial plunge. Either way, you need to know about the various programs and initiatives offered by Uncle Sam to help your business succeed.
Proper Registration
A new vendor’s contracting strategy begins with complete and proper registration. The federal government can’t award a contract or make payment without proper SAM registration. All information should be current, accurate, and match what has been submitted previously to D&B and the IRS.
