Small Business Guide to Federal Contracting

Getting Started

• Determine Your Services or Products
• Decide Your Form of Business Ownership
• Register Your Business Name
• Request an EIN/TIN
• Request a DUNS Number

Identify Your Business

• Are You a Small Business?
• Are You Certified Under SBA's Core Certification Programs:
            a. Are You a Hubzone Business?
            b. Are You a Participant of the 8(A) Program?
            c. Are You a Small Disadvantaged Business?
• Are You a Woman-Owned Business?
• Are You a Veteran-Owned Business?
• Are You a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business?
• Determine Your NAICS and SIC Codes
• Determine Your Classification Code

Get to Know How the Government Buys

• Sealed Bidding
• Negotiation
• Simplified Procedures
• Federal Supply Schedule
• Micropurchases
• Unsolicited Proposals

Get to Know Government Agencies and What They Procure

• Agency's Websites
• Procurement Forecasts
• The Federal Procurement Data Center
• Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization

Marketing Your Business

• Register Your Company in the Central Contractor Registry
• GSA’S Federal Supply Schedule
• Market Your Capabilities to Specific Agencies

Finding Business Opportunities

• Search FedBizOpps
• Get on Notification Lists
• Solicitation Copies at Procurement Offices

Increase Your Contracting Opportunities

• 8(A) Program
• Certificate of Competency Program
• Teaming
       How to Find Vendors to Team with:
            a. FedBizOpps- Interested Vendors Module  (Bidder's List)
            b. Central Contractor Registry- Small Business Search       
            c. Subcontracting Opportunities Directory

Technical Assistance Resources

• Small Business Administration
            a. Small Business Development Centers
            b. SCORE
            c. Women's Business Centers
            d. Business Information Centers
• Department of Defense
            a. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers