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https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/become-federal-contractor
Become a federal contractor
The federal government encourages small businesses to take on contracting opportunities. The process to register as a federal contractor is more straight-forward than most people think.
Content
Federal government contracting
The
U.S. government is the world’s largest customer. It buys all types of
products and services, and is required by law to provide opportunities
for small businesses.
There are two broad categories of government contractors:
There are two broad categories of government contractors:
-
Prime contractors bid on and win contracts directly from government agencies
-
Subcontractors join prime contractor teams, usually to provide a specific capability or product
Comply with federal contracting rules
The
federal government is very particular about how it purchases products
and services. It aims to make sure that competition is fair and open,
prices are competitive, it gets what it pays for, and all laws are
followed.
Different rules and regulations apply to different types of federal purchases. The Federal Acquisition Regulation or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement apply to most federal agencies, so you might want to read them over. Individual organizations often have their own rules as well.
Common rules include:
Different rules and regulations apply to different types of federal purchases. The Federal Acquisition Regulation or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement apply to most federal agencies, so you might want to read them over. Individual organizations often have their own rules as well.
Common rules include:
- Size standards that vary by industry
- Sourcing rules that prevent your company from manufacturing your own materials
- Legal requirements like the Buy American Act and the Trade Agreements Act
- Limits to how much you can subcontract and who you can subcontract with
- Minimum amounts for you to spend on work or materials for the contract
- You should carefully document and report on your business activities to meet the federal government’s rules for procurement.
Small and disadvantaged businesses
The
federal government tries to award a significant percentage of all
federal government contracting dollars to small businesses. In addition,
the federal government tries to award a certain percentage to
businesses in the following categories.
- Women-owned small businesses
- Small disadvantaged business
- Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses
- HUBZone program participants
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