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Getting in the Game on Federal Government Contracts

To compete for “Federal Government” contracts you must first jump through a few hoops and get registered in the system. It is a little time consuming - the good news is that it is all done online. Here are a few of the web sites you will need to get started. 

Step 1: Determine Your Code and Get Your Free D&B Number
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm

Ø   All supplies and services, including construction, purchased by the federal government are coded with what’s called a “NAICS” code. Contractors should review these codes and be able to list the ones (ALL) that can be provided before registering in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR); the next step. Begin with the keyword search. Use words such as landscaping, dump trucks, sand, gravel, computers - whatever is applicable for your company. You should identify all codes that can be provided by your company to the government not just one or two or only the main one. Be sure to identify the 2002 codes and not the outdated 1997 codes.  

Dunn & Bradstreet – All contractors wishing to enroll in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) will be required to have a Dunn & Bradstreet number and a Tax Identification Number (TIN). If your company does not yet have a D&B number, one can be obtained by calling D&B at (800) 333-0505 or (866) 705-5711. There is no fee in obtaining a D&B number. Simply tell the D&B representative that you require this number for Federal Government contracting opportunities. 

Step 2: Annually Register in the 2 Federal Systems

Central Contractor Registration
http://www.ccr.gov/

Ø   All contractors wishing to do business with most all federal agencies are required to register in the CCR. This registration must then be renewed and/or updated annually. It is very important that the information entered into CCR be accurate, detailed, current and complete. Among other things, you will need your company D&B number, TIN number, and your banking information. All payments made by the Federal Government are now made by way of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). You will need your banks nine digit routing identification number and the number of the account you wish any future payments to be deposited into.

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)
http://orca.bpn.gov

Ø   ORCA is an Online Representations and Certifications Application (Reps & Certs). With the online application process, contractors now only have to complete these documents once a year. To register in ORCA you will need your company D&B number and your CCR MPIN number. You must register in CCR prior to registration in ORCA. 

Step 3: Register and search the FEDBIZOPPS web site for offerings.
Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps)
http://www.fbo.gov/

Now that you are registered in CCR and ORCA and have identified the NAICS codes that you can supply to the Federal Government you are now eligible to compete for federal contracts. There are several ways to search for solicitation out for bid but the simplest, and best, way is to search Federal Business Opportunities. This site contains all advertised federal procurement opportunities over $25,000. You will also have to register on this site. Once registered check the site daily.

Ø   From this site a contractor can query federal procurement opportunities from most all federal agencies. SUGGESTION: spend a lot of time on this page and become an expert in navigating the site. There are many ways to search this site but clicking on the “Advanced Search” link at the upper left of the home page is very helpful. From there, one can search by NAICS code and geographical area. To search a geographical area, simply type in only the first two digits of the zip code in the “Search by Place of Performance Zip Code” of the area you wish to search.

Ø   FedBizOpps is also a great tool to search for subcontracting opportunities. When you locate a solicitation, or job, of interest, simply click on the solicitation and look for the tab, usually towards the bottom right of the page, “Register as an Interested Vendor.” When you register as an interested vendor, it will allow you to view the list of other interested vendors. This will give you names and points of contact of other contractors, or potential bidders, of that solicitation. Those are potential contractors to market to for subcontracting opportunities.

Ø  This site will take you through a series of sites—you should go through the entire process the first time. This will register you and you will receive email notification of any amendments. 

http://www.sba.gov/ Small Business Administration, and, http://www.sba.gov/8abd and http://www.sba.gov/hubzone and http://www.sba.gov/size

Ø  SBA’s 8a Business Development program is a program for Small Disadvantaged minority contractors. The SBA 8a certification is a tremendous advantage for minority Small Business contractors seeking federal government contracts.

Ø  The HUBZone certification is simple to obtain for eligible contractors and can be a tremendous advantage for small businesses when bidding on federal contracts.

Ø  You will also want to review the Table of Size Standards to determine the size standard for each NAICS codes you’ve identified.

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