What the Government Looks For In Its Vendors

Responsive. Check.

Responsible. Check.

But are you are a problem-solving, solution providing partner? Check! Double Check!! Advance to award.

More Volume and Loyalty, Less Headaches

Amazing, but nonetheless true.

With one single contract the federal government can give your company more volume and loyalty, not to mention less headaches than all your commercial customers combined.

Register Now - Only Two (2) Days Left

Government Contracting: A Recession-Proof Market Place

The Complimentary TeleClass

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 4:00 PM Eastern Time

Details and simple registration:

http://www.ovidgroup.com/rpmp.htm

Over 10,000 New Business Opportunities a Day

Everyday, the federal government releases over 10,000 new business opportunities (only 400-500 of which appear on FBO.gov).

Federal Government Spending - Products and Services: $15,000 a Second

The federal government spends more than $15,000 per second, every minute of every day on products and services.

1,174 Federal Government Agencies

There are 1,174 federal government agencies and all of them buy.

Over 700,000 Government Purchase or Credit Card Holders

There are over 700,000 government purchase or credit card holders, most with a minimum limit of $10,000 a month and all with ability to purchase up to $3,000.00 at one time without competition.

Buyers Rotate Vendors to Maintain Competition

Government buyers must rotate purchases among commercial vendors to maintain competition.

But on the other hand, the government cannot find enough small businesses with which to do business.

Tremendous opportunity . . . .

Complimentary TeleClass - Government Contracting: A Recession-Proof Market Place

Government Contracting: A Recession-Proof Market Place

A Complimentary TeleClass

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 4:00 PM Eastern Time

For details and simple registration go to:

http://www.ovidgroup.com/rpmp.htm

Rules and Regulations Limit Your Competition

There are rules and regulations that your company can use to your advantage to minimize or even eliminate your competition.

FBO.GOV - New Look & New Link

As I am sure you have seen and experienced by now, Federal Business Opportunities, FedBizOpps, FBO.gov or just plain old FBO, has a nice new look and feel.

However, you need to be aware of a few matters. First, you need to update your ADVANCED SEARCH link. The new link is:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?tab=search&s=opportunity&mode=list

Also, be aware that as of right now, the new site is working perfecting in both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox, but not Safari, Apple's web browser.

8(a) Acquisitions Below $3 Million

There is no requirement for competition in 8(a) acquisitions below $3 million as long as the price is demonstrated to be fair and reasonable.

A Classic Colossal Mistake

Situation:

1. Your company is already selling its products and services to civilian government agencies.

2. The Department of Defense buys these same products and services through its DLA Defense Supply Centers in Columbus, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Richmond, Virginia.

3. But your company is not doing business with these centers, because ....

[....very long explanation from company living and dying with ups and currently mostly downs of the commercial market place on why they are not doing business with these BUYING CENTERS....]

---
"Oh. Okay. No, sorry, I do not understand."

DLA - 4 Million Different Items for DOD

Through its contracting offices, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) buys more than four million different items for Department of Defense (DoD) activities.

Tobyhanna Army Depot

Tobyhanna Army Depot [www.tobyhanna.army.mil] is the DOD's largest, full-service electronics maintenance facility. The depot’s mission is total sustainment, including design, manufacture, repair and overhaul of hundreds of electronic systems, which include satellite terminals, radio and radar systems, telephones, electro-optics, night vision and anti-intrusion devices, airborne surveillance equipment, navigational instruments, electronic warfare, and guidance and control systems for tactical missiles.

Defense Logistics Agency, Pacific (DLA-P)

Defense Logistics Agency Pacific (DLA-P) is the Defense Logistics Agency's focal point for issues in the Pacific theater, to include the role of primary liaison to the Pacific Command (PACOM) and US Forces Korea (USFK) Command. DLA-P provides a unified DLA interface for warfighters throughout the Pacific, integrating DLA support within the Pacific theater and reaching back to other DLA activities in the continental United States for logistics solutions.

The DLA Pacific HQ is located in Hawaii. To better support Warfighters in Korea , DLA-P has a subordinate forward command, DLA-P Korea.

The DLA-P Korea command is based in Daegu, Korea, the hub of logistics support for the Korea Theater of Operations, with the DLA-P Korea Commander and planning staff working closely with Service logisticians to integrate DLA into both planning and operations. The DLA-P Korea command constantly stands ready to form a full scale DLA Contingency Support Team (DCST) to support exercises or operations in Korea , with constant training and practice. Additionally, the DLA Liaison Officer (LNO) to USFK in Seoul directly interfaces with USFK and 8th Army to address their strategic level issues and to ensure an in depth understanding of DLA capabilities. Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) are assigned throughout Korea to provide face-to-face support and training to their assigned customers with frequent onsite visits.

In addition to Korea , DLA-P provides direct support in Hawaii , Okinawa, Mainland Japan, and Alaska . At Camp Smith DLA-P has a Theater Logistics Operations Center (TLOC) and together with a PACOM LNO, works closely with the PACOM Staff and the Services component Commands to integrate DLA into their plans and operations. The LNO assigned to US Forces Japan (USFJ) in Tokyo works closely with the USFJ staff and integrates DLA support. CSRs are located in Hawaii , Japan , Okinawa, and Alaska, to provide onsite customer support and training.

DLA-P Hawaii
1025 Quincy Avenue
Suite 2000
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-4512
1-808-473-4261
http://www.pacific.dla.mil/

Defense Logistics Agency, Europe (DLA-E)

Defense Logistics Agency, Europe (DLA-E) is the Defense Logistics Agency's focal point for US European Command (EUCOM) issues. DLA-E provides a single DLA interface for EUCOM warfighters, reaching back to other DLA activities in Europe and the continental United States for logistics solutions.

DLA-E provides on-site, tailored customer support through our network of customer service representatives. Additionally, our liaison and planners in Stuttgart, Ramstein Air Base and Heidelberg, Germany, and Naples, Italy, help logisticians at EUCOM and its subordinates plan operations and exercises.

DLA-E train and fields DLA Contingency Support Teams (DCST) when requested by the EUCOM combatant commander. As the Balkans mission has matured and US forces have drawn down the DCSTs in Bosnia and Kosovo have reduced commensurately. Currently, a single DLA area representative at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo supports operations from an office there and supports Bosnia-Herzegovina operations from a satellite office at Eagle Base as needed.

Commander, DLA-Europe also serves as the DLA Regional Commander.

DLA-E geographic responsibility is the same as EUCOM's. DLA-E is responsible for 20 million square miles, covering 91 nations in all of Europe, and parts of Africa, Asia and North America. DLA-E area extends from 500 miles off the Atlantic coast of the United States to the Pacific coast of Russia and includes two-thirds of the Earth's coastlines.

Commander
Defense Logistics Agency Europe
CMR 443, Box 1000
APO AE 09096-1000
Telephone: From US: 011-49-611-380-7601

http://www.dla.mil/europe/

Defense Logistics Agency, Central Command (DLA-C)

Defense Logistics Agency Central Command (DLA-C) serves as DLA's primary focal point for coordinating DLA support to forces in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR).

DLA-C provides the single face to the combatant commander, integrating DLA support throughout the CENTCOM AOR for logistical solutions with assistance from the DLA field activities within the CONUS. DLA-C HQ is located at MacDill AFB, Florida. DLA-C has three (3) Defense Contingency Support Teams (DCSTs) working alongside deployed forces in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. DLA-C also has WSRs located in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

Other DLA-C activities in the USCENTCOM AOR include: Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service International; Defense Energy Supply Center-Middle East; Defense Distribution Center Depot Kuwait; and Defense Distribution Center Map Support Office Bahrain.

USCENTCOM ATTN:
J4 (DLA-C)
7115 S. Boundary Blvd
MacDill AFB, FL 33621
1-312-651-3063
http://www.dla.mil/dla-c/

U.S. Army Organization Map of Geographic Responsibilities

Below is a link to a world map from the Unified Command Plan showing the geographic responsibilities of the combatant commanders. Use this map to select an area to find the major Army organizations located within that geographic region.

http://www.army.mil/institution/organization/

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Pacific Region (DSCPP)

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Pacific Region (DSCPP)

DSCPP's mission is to implement and support the provisions of DSCP commodities: Subsistence, Medical Materiel, Clothing & Textiles, and Construction & Equipment products to the war-fighters and other Federal customers throughout the Pacific Region.

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Pacific Region
440 Fuller Way Bldg. 280
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-4967
1-808-474-2900
Online: http://www.dla.mil/dscp/pac

Defense Supply Center Philadelphia Europe

Defense Supply Center Philadelphia Europe (DSCPE)

DSCPE's mission is to ensure combat readiness and sustainment of America's Warfighters by providing integrated logistical support throughout the European, African, and Middle Eastern areas of operation.

Class I - Sustaintence
Class II - Clothing & Textiles
Class III - Building & Barricades
Class IV - Personal Welfare Items
Class VI - Personal Welfare Items
Class VII - Construction and Equipment End Items
Class VIII - Medical
Class X - Agricultural

Online: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/dscpe/index.asp

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia - Construction and Equipment

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP) - Construction and Equipment (C&E)

DSCP's C&E provides supplies and services for: firefighting, Special Operational Equipment (safety and rescue and marine lifesaving and driving products); imaging and information; items for material-handling and pallet management; wood products and a full range of materials required to maintain base facilities and troop support including HVAC and lighting products, metals and metal products. C&E also manages Class IV construction and barrier materials.

DSCP Construction and Equipment (C&E) Directorate

Online: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/gi/

Vendor Information: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/gi/general/vendor.htm

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia - Clothing and Textiles

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP) - Clothing and Textiles (C&T)

Products Offered:

All items related to clothing and textiles, such as uniforms, physical training items, chemical suits, undergarments, shoes and boots, headwear, extreme cold weather gear, tents, medals, flags, ribbons, and ecclesiastical items.

Online: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/clothingandtextiles/

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia - Subsistence

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP) - Subsistence (SMS)

Products Offered:

Semi-perishable and perishable foods; Prime vendor (commercial delviery by truck, rail, or air); Produce (fresh fruits and vegetable); Operational rations (meals, Ready-to-Eat; Humanitarian rations; Utilized Group Rations; Tray Packs; B-Rations; and more).

Directorate of Subsistence:
Food Services: 1-215-737-7445
Operational Rations: 1-215-737-5648
Produce: 1-215-737-4254
Online: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/index.asp

Operational Rations Division:
Online: http://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/rations/index.asp

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia - Medical Materiel

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP) - Directorate of Medical Materiel (DMM)

Products Offered:

Medical, dental, surgical, biological, and pharmaceutical items, as well as diagnostic imaging, patient monitors, and ambulatory equipment. Also, imagining maintenance, equipment leasing, surgical PREPACs, and medical contingency planning.

Directorate of Medical Materiel (DMM)
Customer Service: 1-877-352-2255
Online: https://dmmonline.dscp.dla.mil/

Revisiting DefenseLink.mil

On Sunday, December 2, 2007, in an entry entitled "DefenseLink.mil - A Bevy of Subcontracting Opportunities," I blogged about the DOD's web site DefenseLink.mil being a tremendous source of subcontracting opportunities.

I want to take a moment to revisit this subject.

If you are serious about getting more federal government business, revisit this blog entry and sign up to receive via email the daily announcements by the Department of Defense (DOD) of all contracts valued at $5 million or more.

Here is a link to the blog:
http://ovidgroup.blogspot.com/2007/12/defenselinkmil-subcontracting.html

Proposed 2009 DOD Budget Is Highest Level Since WWII

When adjusted for inflation, the proposed 2009 DOD budget of $515.4 billion will have reached its highest level since World War II. This Defense Department budget proposal, which is to pay for the standard operations of the Pentagon and the military but does not include supplemental spending on the war efforts or on nuclear weapons, is an increase in real terms of about 5 percent over last year.

Source:
New York Times. "Pentagon Seeks Record Level in 2009 Budget." Thom Shanker. February 3, 2008.

Fiscal Year 2009 Department Of Defense Budget Released

Fiscal Year 2009 Department Of Defense Budget Released
[February 04, 2008]

President George W. Bush today sent to Congress his Defense budget for Fiscal Year 2009. The budget provides $515.4 billion in discretionary authority for the Department of Defense (DoD), a $35.9 billion or 7.5 percent increase over the enacted level for Fiscal Year 2008.

The Fiscal Year 2009 budget reflects the President’s priorities and sustains his commitment to prevail in the Global War on Terror; increase ground combat capabilities; improve force readiness; develop the combat capabilities needed to meet future threats; and improve the quality of life for Service members and their families.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, “the President’s budget for FY 2009 provides the resources necessary to maintain an agile, highly trained, and lethal fighting force, increase Army and Marine Corps end strength, and sustain the United States’ technological advantage over current and potential enemies.” [more.]

Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/

Defense Distribution Center (DDC)

Defense Distribution Center (DDC)

3.9 million NSNs stored
346 million cubic feet of storage space
25 million receipts and issues annually

Defense Distribution Center (DDC)
2001 Mission Drive
DDC - [Appropriate Office Symbol]
New Cumberland, PA 17070-5001
1-717-770-1110 - Operator Assistance
http://www.ddc.dla.mil/sites/default.aspx

Defense Energy Support Center (DESC)

Defense Energy Support Center (DESC) is the supply chain for efficient, economical, and comprehensive energy solutions for DOD and other government agencies. These solutions include contracting support and management of all petroleum-based fuels, additives, and other energy products and services including jet fuels, distillates, missile fuels, chemicals, gases, gasoline, diesel fuels, heating fuels, natural gas, coal, and electricity. DESC also manages bulk petroleum facilities storing DLA-owned fuel, utilities, privatization, and other installation energy conservation efforts.

Defense Energy Support Center
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Ste. 4950
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-6222
1-703-767-+EXT
http://www.desc.dla.mil

Defense Supply Center, Columbus

Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC)
Land/Maritime

As DLA's supply chain manager for land-based and maritime weapon system parts, DCSS buys, manages, and coordinates shipments of some 2.1 millions items. While some of those are end items, the majority are consumable repair parts for a variety of land-based and maritime weapon systems. Working with some 24,000 military and civilian customers, and partnering with more than 6,000 suppliers, DSCC monitors inventory levels and assures quality conformance of those spare parts.

Defense Supply Center, Columbus
P.O. Box 3990
Columbus, OH 43218-3990
1-614-692-3131 - Operator Assistance
http://www.dscc.dla.mil

Defense Supply Center, Richmond (DSCR)

Defense Supply Center, Richmond
Aviation

Defense Supply Center Richmond (DCSR) is the supply chain owner for air, aviation, and space support. Items include airframe/aerospace products; packaged petroleum, oils and lubricants; chemicals; batteries; bearings; instruments and gauges; metalworking machines; maps and map products...and much more.

Defense Supply Center, Richmond
8000 Jefferson Davis Highway
Richmond, VA 23297-5000
1-804-279-3861 - Operator Assistance
1-804-279-3825 - Duty Officer
http://www.dla.mil.dscr

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (DSCP)

Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DCSP) is the supply chain owner for troop support items including food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical equipment, construction and equipment, supplies and services to America's warfighters, their eligible dependents, and other non-Defense Department customers worldwide.

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia
700 Robbins Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111-5092
1-215-737-2000 - Automated Directory
1-215-737-2341 - Duty Officer
http://www.dscp.dla.mil

Defense Logistics Agency: Supply Centers

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) buys and manages a vast number and variety of items used by all military services and federal civilian agencies. Commodities include energy, food, clothing, and medical supplies. The agency also buys and distributes hardware and electronic items used in maintenance and repair of equipment and weapons systems.

Customers of the DLA determine their requirements for materiel and supplies. DLA's supply centers consolidate requirements and procure the supplies in sufficient quantities to meet customer's projected needs. Many of DLA's procured items are delivered directly from a commercial vendor; the remainder of the items are stored and distributed through a complex of worldwide depots. Some supply centers also offer specialized services to support customers.

DLA's Four (4) Supply Centers

Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio (DSCC)

Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (DSCP)

Defense Supply Center, Richmond, Virginia (DSCR)

Defense Energy Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (DESC)

What is the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)?

Defense Logistics Agency
http://www.supply.dla.mil/

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) defense agency that provides supply support and technical and logistics services to the Military Services, DOD agencies, Federal civilian agencies, and to selected foreign governments. It procures supplies and spare parts for customers and supports their logistics needs. This support begins with joint planning with the Services for parts and support for new weapons systems, extends through production, and concludes with the disposal of materiel that is obsolete, worn out, or no longer needed.

DLA is the one logistics support source for a wide rand of customer needs whether for combat readiness, emergency readiness, or day-to-day operations.

2007 Top 100 Federal Contractors

Compare yourself against, and then model yourself on the best.

2007 Top 100 Federal Contractors
http://www.washingtontechnology.com/top-100/2007/

Main Pages of the Top Five (5) Large Businesses
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
http://www.boeing.com/
http://www.northropgrumman.com/
http://www.kbr.com/
http://www.saic.com/

Main Pages of the Top Five (5) Small Businesses
http://www.gtsi.com/home.aspx?ShopperID=
http://www.nana.com/
http://www.datapath.com/
http://www.rsis.com/rsis-corporate/rsis/index.cfm
http://www.chenega.com/

2008 GSA Expo - Anaheim, CA., April 22-24

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will be hosting the fourteenth annual International Products and Services Expo April 22-24, 2008 in Anaheim, California.

This free training conference and vendor exposition is specially designed to benefit federal, state and local government employees and military members who make or influence procurement decisions.

Expo is an invaluable experience for acquisition and program managers that provides opportunities to:

-Network with hundreds of GSA and other agency experts.
-Continue building your acquisition knowledge with our extensive list of over 250 CLP certified classes.
-Meet with over 600 GSA vendors providing specific technical expertise.
-Federal agencies can bring their regional or national staffs together and host a meeting (free of charge!) at the convention center.
-FREE for all federal, state and local government employees to attend.

There will be approximately 1,000 exhibit booths available for GSA Schedule vendors. Exhibit floor space is available only to those companies who hold a current contract with GSA.

Visit the 2008 GSA Expo web site for more details.

http://www.expo.gsa.gov

The Poet Ovid on Federal Government Contracting

"I attempt an arduous task; but there is no worth in that which is not a difficult achievement."
- Ovid

"Chance is always powerful. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish."
- Ovid

- Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso (March 20, 43 BC – 17 AD) known to the English-speaking world as Ovid.

Three (3) Tips for Success in the Federal Market Place

Every company that seeks to be successful in the federal government market place must do three (3) things. Companies must:

1. DISTINGUISH itself from the pack;

2. Locate and qualify opportunities that it can REALLY win; and

3. UNDERSTAND, first, the INFRASTRUCTURE (the rules and regulations) governing and, second, the PLAYERS (agencies, buyers, and competitors) involved in the procurement of products and services it sells.

FedBizOpps.gov - A Powerful Research Tool - 2

Continuing from yesterday's entry, for example:

The procurement forecast of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) dated January 23, 2008, indicated that Clare Zebrowski is the point of contract (POC) for Operational Dress Uniforms.

When you type "Clare Zebrowski" into the Full Text Search Box, the Search Results return two (2) pages of opportunities in various stages all of which involve Clare Zebrowski.

A quick scan reveals that Clare Zebrowski has been involved in the purchase of Operation Dress Uniforms since May 2007 and prior to that she was involved in the purchase of Survival Training Courses and Propeller Line Maintenance Training.

FedBizOpps.gov - A Powerful Research Tool

Do you have the name of a contracting officer who appears to be buying what you sell? Fanstastic. Let's do some research.

Go to Federal Business Opportunities' (a.k.a. FedBizOpps or FBO) advanced search page: http://vsearch1.fbo.gov/servlet/SearchServlet.

Type within quotation marks, the first and last name of the contracting officer. Then hit the "Start Search" button.

The Search Results will return in various stages all the opportunities, both past and present, that include the name of the contracting officer for which you searched.

Small Businesses and the Federal Government

Why should a small company consider doing business with the largest purchaser of products and services on earth, the United States federal government?

Well, for many reasons. But let's just address one (1) reason today; set-asides.

Plain English translation for "set asides" or "set asides" - Federal government contracts earmarked ahead of time for small businesses.

I often ask business owners and stakeholders who are considering dipping their big toe into the pool of government business, "How many of your commercial clients are setting aside business for you just because you are a small business?" I have yet to have anyone say they have one (1) such client.

Please allow me to introduce to you the U.S. Federal Government.

FAR 6.203 -- Set-Asides for Small Business Concerns.

(a) To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to small business concerns, contracting officers may set aside solicitations to allow only such business concerns to compete.

FAR 19.501 -- General.

(a) The purpose of small business set-asides is to award certain acquisitions exclusively to small business concerns. A “set-aside for small business” is the reserving of an acquisition exclusively for participation by small business concerns. A small business set-aside may be open to all small businesses. A small business set-aside of a single acquisition or a class of acquisitions may be total or partial.

Small Business Program Goals

Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) negotiates socioeconomic procurement preference program, or ‘contracting,’ goals with Federal agencies. These goals are based on statute, and require that, in the aggregate, agencies award contracts as follows:

Total Small Business Goal - 39%

Small Business (SB) - 23%
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) - 5%
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) - 5%
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) - 5%
Service-Disable Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) - 3%
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) - 3%

Two (2) Key Points

1. Agencies have to meet these goals through procurement strategies.

2. Prime contractors are required to meet these goals through subcontracting on large contracts.

SBA Programs - Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Competitively selected proposals funding early stage research and development projects at small technology companies; projects serve a DoD need & have commercial applications.

For more information visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/index.htm.

SBA Mentor-Protégé Program

Mentor-Protégé Program

Seeks to encourage major DoD prime contractors (mentors) to develop technical and business capabilities of small business protégés who qualify as SBA-certified small disadvantaged businesses, SBA-certified Historically Under-Utilized Business Zone small businesses, woman-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, or organizations employing the severely disabled complying with Section 8046A, PL 102-172.

For more information visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/mentor_protege.

SBA Small Business Requirements - Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SD-VOSB)

Small Business, veteran-owned, ≥ 51% owned by ≥ 1 service-disabled veterans, AND management & daily business operations controlled by ≥ 1 service disabled veterans OR in the case of veteran with permanent & severe disability, the spouse or permanent caregiver of such veteran, AND with 0% - 100% service-connected disability as defined in 38 USC 101(16) & documented on DD 214. Self-certify. Set-aside & limited sole source authority.

SBA Small Business Requirements - Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)

Small Business, veteran-owned as defined in 38 USC 101(2), ≥ 51% owned by ≥ 1 veterans, AND management & daily operations controlled by ≥ 1 veterans.

SBA Small Business Requirements - HUBZone

Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)

Small Business, owned & controlled 51% or more by ≥ 1 United States citizens, AND SBA-certified as a HUBZone concern (principal office located in an economically-distressed HUBZone area AND ≥ 35% of employees live in any designated HUBZone). Set-aside & limited sole source authority.

SBA Small Business Requirements - 8(a) Certified

Small Disadvantaged Business 8(a) Certified [8(a)]

Small Business, SBA-certified as a SDB, AND SBA-certified into the 8(a) Business Development Program for a period of 9 years. Set-aside & limited sole source authority.

SBA Small Business Requirements - Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

Small Business, unconditionally owned & controlled by ≥ 1 socially & economically disadvantaged individuals who are of good character & citizens of the U.S., AND SBA-certified.

SBA Small Business Requirements - Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

Small Business, at least 51% owned by ≥ 1 women, AND management & daily business operations controlled by ≥ 1 women. Watch for future change to FAR authorizing limited set-aside authority.

SBA Small Business Requirements - Small Business (SB)

Small Business (SB)
Located in U.S, organized for profit, including affiliates is independently owned & operated, not dominant in field of operations in which it is bidding on Government contracts, AND meets Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards included in the solicitation. The size standard is based upon the North American Industrial Classification Standard (NAICS) assigned to the specific procurement dependent upon product/service purchased. Self-certify. Set-aside authority.

SBA Small Business Programs

Here is a list the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Programs:

1. Small Business (SB)
2. Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
3. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
4. Small Disadvantaged Business 8(a) Certified [8(a)]
5. Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
6. Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
7. Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SD-VOSB)
8. Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI)
9. Mentor-Protégé Program
10. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Small Business Acronyms

Small Business Acronyms:

Small Business (SB)
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SD-VOSB)
Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
Historically Black Colleges & Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI)
Small Business Specialist (SBS)
Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU)
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

Does Your Competitor Have a GSA Contract?

Does your competitor or competitors have a GSA contract? You need to know the answer to this question.

Go here:

http://www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/ElibMain/ElibHome

Enter the name of your competitor (or competitors) into the "Search" BOX and click on "Search" BUTTON.

Here is a good example to use: "Lockheed."

NAICS Codes Bookmark

Bookmark the U.S. Census Bureau's 2002 NAICS Codes and Titles.

http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naicod02.htm

These are the official codes and titles, folks.

FAR Bookmark

Have you book marked the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)?

http://acquisition.gov/far/index.html

Learn How the Federal Procurement Machine Operates

Would-be and want-more government contracts must learn how the federal procurement machine operates in order to be successful in the federal market place. This means taking the time necessary to learn about government contracting including such things as terms, clauses, conditions, methodology, and proper terminology.

Look at Your Company Like the Government Does

The government looks at companies as vendors. Plain and simple, government contractors are nothing more than providers of the products and services the government needs to do what they are required to do.

Companies and their executives would do well to start looking at themselves the same way. Examine your company in terms of what it takes to win business: price, service, delivery, output, reliability, and performance.

FedBizOpps Bookmark

Save time when using Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps/FBO) by bookmarking the web site's advance search page:

http://www1.fbo.gov/spg/index.html

Most often, vendors go to FBO's main page [http://fbo.gov/] and then click the "FedBizOpps Vendors" icon link that takes them to the "Browse Agencies by Acronym in Alphabetic Order" page [http://www1.fbo.gov/spg/index.html], which in most cases proves a dead end.

Collaborate with Your Government Customer

Seek to develop a relationship with your potential government customers that will allow you to collaborate with them on the final value proposition that YOUR COMPANY brings to the table – the challenge or problem at hand.

This is true business development.

Statement of Qualifications

When was the last time that you updated your company's statement of qualifications?

Well, if it wasn't the last time that you completed a job, it is totally out of date and in desperate need of updating.

1. Complete a job.
2. Update your company's statement of qualifications.

If you make this simple two- (2) step process a habit, you will be way ahead of the game when an opportunity is created or presents itself.

How Does the Government See Your Product or Service?

It does not matter what your product does or service is. What matters is how the government sees, procures, uses, and re-orders your product or service.

Here is an idea that will pay massive dividends: Conduct an intensive and extensive study on how the government sees, procures, uses, and re-orders your product or service before you do anything else. In the end, it will be this study that will tell you everything you need to know about marketing and selling your product and service to the federal government.