Like all kinds of business, government business
is based on relationships. And although cost is a primary concern, it
isn’t the only criteria
on which bids are awarded. To ensure that you play on a level field, you
have to let the other team know you’re a player. Personal contact
and networking are the most important ways to do that.
The businesses that cultivate connections with
people inside the government have the opportunity to create awareness
of their business, build credibility, and establish themselves as serious
players in the marketplace. Ultimately, when a Request for Proposal
(RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued, established businesses already
know about it and have begun the process of preparing their bid—long
before those who rely only on published postings. However, this is not
to say that you do not have the opportunity to win an opportunity that
you saw published. The government reviews all responses to RFPs and
RFQs using the same evaluation criteria putting everyone on a level
playing field. If you have an established relationship though, you will
understand more about the department’s or agency’s
mission and requirements.
The following list of contacts will be helpful to you in growing your
business and establishing important contacts.
General Information
- Business.gov:
This Web site guides you through the maze of government rules and regulations
and provides access to services and resources to help you start, grow,
and succeed in business.
- Women-21.gov is a one-stop federal resource for
targeted information, registration for online programs, and networking
opportunities to help women entrepreneurs navigate the business world.
Procurement/Purchasing Certification
- Central Contract Registration
- GSA
Schedule
- Procurement
Center Representative (PCR)
- Procurement
Technical Assistance Centers: PTA
Centers are local resources that provide assistance to business firms,
at low or no cost, on marketing products and services to the Federal,
state and local governments.
- Contract
Assistance for Women Business Owners (CAWBO): Advocates for women-owned
small businesses are available to help you. You’ll find a list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and
email addresses for these advocates at federal agencies.
- SBA/Government
Contract and Business Development: You’ll find the names and contact information for key people at
the SBA who are involved with government contracting.
- Firstgov.gov:
Here you can search millions of Web pages from federal and state governments,
the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, most of which are not
available on commercial Web sites. FirstGov has the most comprehensive
search of government anywhere on the Internet.
- GovWorks® maintains
a vendor registration database for government officials to search. GovWorks
is a federal service-for-fee acquisition center under the U.S. Department
of the Interior Franchise Fund. It helps federal agencies acquire products
and services for their programs, and awards cooperative agreements and
grants.
Back to top
|
|