This is your ultimate (and quick) guide to approach the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Here, we are going to cover: 

• What is the FAR?
• How the FAR is broken down? 
• Key Sections for Contractors. 

In any system, communication is key. The same applies to when businesses contract with the federal a government. For this blog post, we're going to cover points of contact. Without a firm understanding of this concept, you will be at a disadvantage in the federal marketplace. 

Anyone who wants to get into government contracting is going to run into beta.SAM.gov (Beta SAM). There's no way around it. The next question most of us will have next is:

"What can I do with Beta SAM and how do I use to search for contracts?"

If you're asking this question, then you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we'll take you from start to finish on Beta SAM. After reading this, you will have a comprehension of...

• What happened to FedBizOpps? 
• What is Beta SAM?
• Registering for Beta SAM
• Finding Government Contracts on Beta SAM

In the first quarter of the fiscal year, the Pentagon awarded its prestigious $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract to Microsoft. 

For now. 

That's because if you've been reading up on this contract, you would know it was riddled with disputes. One of which was a bid protest made by Oracle Corporation. Then, right after Microsoft was awarded, it was expected Amazon Web Services would file one as well. 

In this blog post, we're going to give you the rundown on bid protests.

We are going to answer:  

• What is a bid protest? 
• Why are bid protests filed?
• Where do I file a bid protest? 
• How should I approach bid protests? 

Let's begin. 

This November, FedBizOpps (FBO) is set to merge with beta.SAM. 

With that in mind, it's time to talk about past big changes in the federal marketplace. That's because with every major change comes major problems. How you handle these problems will determine your success or failure in government contracting. 

In this blog post, we're going to cover common issues that contractors face whenever the federal government implements a new policy or system. When you know about what issues to expect, you'll be better equipped to handle them. 

“I felt exactly how you would feel if you were getting ready to launch and knew you were sitting on top of 2 million parts – all built by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”

This apocryphal quote comes from the early days of NASA. Some attribute it to Alan Sheppard. Others claim it was John Glenn.

Either way, no one can agree on who said it or the exact phrasing. What did happen though, was the perpetuation of a government contracting myth: it always comes down to the lowest bidder.

Market research is crucial for success in government contracting. After all, you should know who is buying what so you can find your target customers. If you're considering contracting with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), here's a list of the top 10 industries for HHS contracts from the previous fiscal year.

The information used to write this blog post was extracted from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). This list is made up of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes associated with each top industry.

Let's start the countdown. 

If you can make your company known to a contracting officer before bidding, you are going to improve your chances of winning government contracts. Reaching out to them through email is an effective way to accomplish this. Get more responses to your B2G emails with the tips in this video.

Only you can prevent forest fires and by working with the US Forest Service (USFS), you can help stop them as well. To do so, you need to know how to do business with the USFS and learn the basics of VIPR.

So you already know that the federal government puts up solicitations on FBO and a bunch of other websites. However, the opportunities with Uncle Sam don't end there. Actually, you might be able to create your own with an unsolicited proposal.

Just because you're not a U.S.-based business, it does not mean you can't find work with the American federal government. Actually, there are plenty of opportunities to work with Uncle Sam all around the world. So if you're a business that's based out of the U.S. and you're looking for a reliable stream of revenue, then this is the blog post for you.

Wherever there's a disaster in the United States or its territories, FEMA is there to help. Where FEMA shows up to help, they will need contractors. If you're working as a federal contractor or if you're looking to get into the federal marketplace, there are several key factors you need to know about FEMA contracting in FY 2019.

You don't need your mom to tell you the importance of proper etiquette for everyday life. At the very least, you know not to chew with your mouth open. However, you might need this guide to teach you proper business to government etiquette when pursuing federal contracts.

What are differentiators?

It's in the name!

Basically, it's what makes your business different from your competitors. However, standing out isn't what it's all about. These differences also need to add value to your products and services as well.

Having trouble determining your differentiators?

Anyone who works in the federal sector should at least know about FedBizOpps and how to use it. What you should also know is that FedBizOpps ISN'T the only place where you can find contracting opportunities with the federal government. So, from Unison (formerly FedBid) to DIBBS, we're going to show you 5 OTHER places where you can find contracting opportunities.

What sounds more intimidating than B2G (business to government) marketing?

B2G marketing as...a small business.

Well fear not!

In this simple, plain English, no-frills guide, we're going to give you the cornerstone you need to get started on your small B2G marketing strategy. This is one piece of knowledge that tons of people are paying money to consultants to find out.

If you're serious about scaling your business and growing your revenue through federal contracting, then you CANNOT overlook subcontracting.

"What is a small business?"

Depending on who you ask, the answer will vary.

However, if you're looking for the answer that can actually help you make a lot of money and grow your business, then you're going to want Uncle Sam's opinion.

This is the ultimate guide for creating EFFECTIVE marketing materials for federal contracting.

Should you go after federal grants, contracts, or both?

Well, in this blog post, we're going to answer that question and a lot more.