Every day, thousands of new contractors try and fail to break into the world of federal contracting. While contracting can be a very lucrative market, it is notoriously difficult to break into. One of the biggest problems facing new vendors is past performance - or a lack thereof.
A component of success in federal contracting is the cultivation of past performance. Like a resume for a job applicant, your past performance is a record of past contract awards and how well you completed them. Much like the job market, having no past performance experience can make it very difficult for new contractors to win their first contract - past performance is one of the most important criteria purchasing officers consider when evaluating contract bids.
Just as you might check a company's references and past work experience before hiring them for a job at your home or business, so too does the federal government. Contracting officers are not just looking at whether a vendor is good at their trade however; they are also concerned whether the vendor is familiar with federal contracting regulations and paperwork and whether they can be trusted to work on potentially sensitive projects and properties.
So if purchasing officers don't want to award contracts to new vendors, how do new vendors get contracts? Besides bidding for prime contracts and crossing their fingers, there are a number of ways to build past performance. Subcontracting and teaming are viable options to help build past performance and can help businesses adjust to the rules and procedures in federal contracting. Another easy way to start doing business with the federal government is through Simplified Acquisition Program and micro purchases. These kinds of acquisitions are low enough in value that purchasing officers do not need to follow formal bidding procedures. In some cases, the agency will make two or three phone calls for quotes from small businesses and make the purchase on the spot with a credit card. Don't be fooled though - any purchase under the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 qualifies for this program - and depending upon the industry, the threshold may even be higher!
US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support. This new program has helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy.
US Federal Contractor Registration provides registration services and access to the Simplified Acquisition Program. The Simplified Acquisition Program was designed around the government contract rulings as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Simplified Acquisition contracts are government contracts that range in size between $2,500 and $150,000.
A component of success in federal contracting is the cultivation of past performance. Like a resume for a job applicant, your past performance is a record of past contract awards and how well you completed them. Much like the job market, having no past performance experience can make it very difficult for new contractors to win their first contract - past performance is one of the most important criteria purchasing officers consider when evaluating contract bids.
Just as you might check a company's references and past work experience before hiring them for a job at your home or business, so too does the federal government. Contracting officers are not just looking at whether a vendor is good at their trade however; they are also concerned whether the vendor is familiar with federal contracting regulations and paperwork and whether they can be trusted to work on potentially sensitive projects and properties.
So if purchasing officers don't want to award contracts to new vendors, how do new vendors get contracts? Besides bidding for prime contracts and crossing their fingers, there are a number of ways to build past performance. Subcontracting and teaming are viable options to help build past performance and can help businesses adjust to the rules and procedures in federal contracting. Another easy way to start doing business with the federal government is through Simplified Acquisition Program and micro purchases. These kinds of acquisitions are low enough in value that purchasing officers do not need to follow formal bidding procedures. In some cases, the agency will make two or three phone calls for quotes from small businesses and make the purchase on the spot with a credit card. Don't be fooled though - any purchase under the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 qualifies for this program - and depending upon the industry, the threshold may even be higher!
US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support. This new program has helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy.
US Federal Contractor Registration provides registration services and access to the Simplified Acquisition Program. The Simplified Acquisition Program was designed around the government contract rulings as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Simplified Acquisition contracts are government contracts that range in size between $2,500 and $150,000.
About the Author:
US Federal Contractor Registration provides SAM registration assistance, contractor support and professional marketing services to small businesses nationwide. Contact the Contractor Helpline today for more information about how the Simplified Acquisition Program can help your business succeed in the federal marketplace!. Check here for free reprint license: Earn Past Performance References With US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program.
