Transcript Slide 1
HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT An Introduction to Business Matchmaking Thursday, October 30, 2003 Hyatt Regency Houston Why The Federal Government? • World’s best customer • Buys everything • Spends billions Goal of the Federal Government • A quality product or service • Delivered on time • At a competitive price Okay – So How Do I Get Started? • • • • • • Registration Research The right people Finding Opportunities Certifications Marketing Registrations • Dun & Bradstreet (www.dnb.com) or 1-800-333-0505 • CCR (Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov) • Pro-Net (http://pro-net.sba.gov/) Pro-Net • Internet-based database of small businesses • One stop procurement shop • A link to procurement opportunities • Electronic search capability for contracting officers and prime contractors • Marketing tool Research, Research, Research • Identify your product/service • Identify who buys your product/service • Identify your NAICS code – North American Industry Classification System • Know your size – Annual Sales (average last 3 years) – Number of employees The Right People • Start with the Small Business Specialist – Acts as liaison between supplier & buyer – Does not buy anything – Can put you in contact with technical person or buyer Finding Opportunities • FedBizOpps • www.eps.gov Types of Businesses – Other than Large • • • • • • • Small Business 8(a) Small, Disadvantaged Business Woman Owned Small Business HUBZone Small Business Veteran Small Business Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Do I Have To Be Certified? • No, unless you want to participate in specific programs – 8(a), SDB, HUBZone • Self-certify – Small Business – Woman Owned Small Business – Veteran Owned Small Business – Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Marketing 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Market selectively Market knowledgeably Market constructively Market early Market timely Market continually Repeat and improve on steps 1 - 6 Know the Rules !! • FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) – http://www.arnet.gov/far/ – Each agency may have their own supplement, i.e., DFARS • Army - AFARS – Corps of Engineers – EFARS • FAR Part 14 – Sealed Bidding • FAR Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation • FAR Part 19 – Small Business Programs I Found A Job – Now What? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Read the bid package Read the bid package Read the bid package Make a copy of the bid package Do not mark up the original bid package Never submit a bid based on the fact that you might be able to do the job 7. Never, never, never, never make a unilateral change to any aspect of a solicitation; an awarded contract or a contract modification Can I Just Be A Subcontractor? • Yes, contact large prime contractors – Houston area list in your packet (other areas of country – http://www.sba.gov/GC/cmr.html) – Small Business Liaison Officers – Subcontracting plans – Reviewed by SBA I Am With The Government And I Am Here To Help ! Valerie J. Coleman, PCR/CMR U.S. Small Business Administration 2101 NASA Road 1, Mail Code: BD35 Houston, TX 77058 281/483-1549, FAX: 281/483-4326 [email protected]