Now that you've identified government segments likely to be the right customers for you, it’s time to start selling. To sell to the government, you must first register your business so the government knows you are an available vendor.

Start by looking up the Federal Supply Class or Service (FSC/SVC) codes and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for your products and services. Next, get a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet.

Since all businesses wishing to work with the federal government must register at Central Contractor Registration, that’s your next task. Note that the Department of Defense (DoD) and some other departments and agencies require additional registration, so make sure to check details with the agencies with which you wish to work.

These links can help you make sure you’ve registered everywhere that’s important to your business:

• Acquisition Central is geared to the federal acquisition community and the government's business partners. From this site you can access shared systems and tools to help you conduct business efficiently. It includes links to the sites listed below.

• Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) is the official site for the new electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS). It is designed to introduce more transparency into the process of gathering information on federal subcontracting accomplishments by providing an easier process for federal contractors and their business associates to report subcontracting activity.

• Business On-line Representations and Certifications (ORCA), if you want to sell to DoD, you also must register with its new online registry, ORCA. ORCA is an E-Government initiative that has been developed to replace the paper-based Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs) process. Previously, vendors and contractors had to submit Reps and Certs for each individual large purchase contract award solicitation response. Now, using ORCA, a contractor can enter their Reps and Certs information one time for use on all federal contracts.

• Federal Department and Agency Registration provides a list of links to departments and agencies. Some federal departments and agencies have their own contractor databases. You must contact each department or agency you want to do business with to determine if they have a separate contractor registry database.

Additional Information for Getting Started

You will find more information on how women-owned businesses can sell to the government by visiting the SBA Web site and using the search function. A search using the terms “women selling to government” produced links to several highly relevant documents.   

Other links:

• Best Practices for Women-Owned Small Businesses
• State Small Business Resource Guide: provides contact information for sources of assistance with business development and federal contracting in each state
• Information on Regulations
• The Defense Logistics Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, administers the DoD Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP). PTA Centers (PTACs) are a local resource available at no or nominal cost that can provide assistance to business firms in marketing products and services to the federal, state, and local governments 
• Mentor Protégé Programs
• SBA's Small Business Development Centers
• Women's Business Centers
• U.S. General Service Administration
• GSA Information for Contractors and Vendors 
• GSA's Federal Acquisition Service
• Forms you need to work with GSA
• SmartPay® Card
• Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBUs)

After you’ve registered your business, it’s time to find contracting opportunities.
Back to top