Ever felt stuck trying to win federal contracts? You need the experience to win but to get experience; you need to win contracts. Sounds like a puzzle, right? Don't worry; there's a way out: start with subcontracting.
Subcontracting: Your First Step
Subcontracting is like your first step into the world of federal contracting. It's a hands-on way to learn, meet people in the industry, and start building a track record. Plus, it's a steady income source while setting up your business.
At USFCR, we've walked more than 300,000 businesses through the intricate maze of government contracting. We've boiled down years of expertise into a simple, easy-to-understand guide to help you conquer this field too. Let's focus on three game-changing strategies:
What's great is that these strategies are transferable to securing grants too.
Join us on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 2:00 PM ET for a free, live USFCR Academy webinar on Technical Proposals. Sign up here and learn more about technical proposals in this blog post.
Understanding how to price your products or services for government contracts is key to landing lucrative deals. Your price proposal, and a clear breakdown of your costs, is crucial in securing these contracts. Here's what you need to know:
Competitive Pricing Through Market Research
Use market research to understand your competition and set a competitive price for your bid or offer. This data helps ensure your price is attractive to the government and profitable.
On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at 2:00 ET, US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) Academy will host a live webinar on the signature page vs. the standard form. Sign up here and get a head start with this blog post.
This article was last updated on May 10th, 2023
Once a business locates a solicitation that aligns with its capabilities, the task of crafting a well-structured response in the form of a proposal begins. If you find starting your proposal challenging, you can connect with experts who can guide you.
Editor's Note: This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness as of July 2023.
The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) lay the groundwork for how government solicitations and contracts are put together. And while it's true that the FAR is mainly written with government officials in mind - the ones crafting the contracts - it's a mistake for businesses to gloss over them.
After all, these regulations aren't just about compliance. Having a firm grasp of the FAR can tilt the scales in your favor in government contracting.
Originally published in March 2020. Updated in April 2024 to reflect the latest standards and practices.
Start Embark on your federal contracting journey with confidence. This guide offers a clear, practical understanding of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Master these regulations to ensure compliance and secure a strategic advantage in the competitive federal marketplace.
On this week of USFCR Academy Live, we're covering FAR Part 52. This section includes the Buy American Act. You can sign up to attend on our webinar page and learn more about the Buy American Act in this blog post.
You have a unique edge in federal contracting as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or an Economically-Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). These certifications can open doors to lucrative contracts by reducing competition and giving you preferred status with federal agencies.
It's no secret that women entrepreneurs have been historically underrepresented. The ED/WOSB program is designed to turn the tide, but the process can be tricky. Once certified, finding the right contracts amidst the flood of daily solicitations can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
