Three Great Websites to Find Government Contracting Opportunities

Working for the federal government can be very lucrative for your business. The United States government is the largest buyer of products and services in the world. Some contracts offered by the federal government are open to any business entity that qualifies, while others, such as a governmentwide acquisition contract, are tailored to specific types of businesses, like women-owned small businesses or veteran-owned small businesses.

A DC government contracting attorney can help ensure that your business is ready and meets all requirements for federal government contracts. The next step involves locating the federal agencies with contracts for bidding. Keep reading for the top three best government contract website opportunities.

Locating Federal Government Contracts for Your Company

You can pay a company for gov contracting help to assist you in locating federal government contracts for your business. However, you can locate federal and government agencies and contracts free by using various government websites and government bidding sites.

The top three government contract websites are:

1.  SAM.Gov

The General Service Administration (GSA) has combined numerous federal awards, contract bidding sites, and information websites into one convenient government contractor website that businesses can use to search for federal government contracts.

The new website, System for Award Management (SAM), is still in the test phase. The GSA provides a complete list of the ten online systems users can also access to search for government contracts. Companies and contracting officers can use beta.SAM.gov to begin their search for government contracts and also use the list provided by GSA to double-check the specific online systems for federal contracts and multi-agency contracts they may want to pursue. Even though it is still in the test phase, the beta SAM gov website is a valuable tool for a company's contracting officer.

2.  Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) (SBA.Gov)

Approximately one-quarter of all federal contracts are set aside each year for small businesses. The official DSBS is maintained by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The DSBS is free to use and allows small businesses to access a list of federal contracts specifically set aside for small businesses.

In addition to meeting the numerical requirements to qualify as a small business, a company must also meet the other general requirements to qualify as federal contracts that are aside for small businesses. Those qualifications are:

• The company must be a for-profit business;

• The company must be independently owned and operated;

• The company cannot dominate the field nationally for its particular product or service; and,

• The company must be physically located and operate within the United States or one of its territories.

“Approximately one-quarter of all federal contracts are set aside each year for small businesses. ”

Some contracts are open to any company that qualifies as a small business. However, a number of federal government contracts open to small businesses are limited to specific types of small businesses. For example, some contracts are limited to women-owned businesses or businesses owned by veterans or disabled veterans. Other federal government contracts are HUBZone-certified small businesses or small disadvantaged businesses. The government also helps small businesses by including requirements to use small businesses as subcontractors in larger contracts. Small businesses can also find more contract opportunities or as subcontractors on the SBA's SubNet system.

3.  GSA.Gov

If a company has products or services to sell to the federal government, it can begin by securing a government acquisition contract or a multi-agency contract with agencies of the General Services Administration (GSA). The Office of Acquisition Management and Policy has a list of all federal agency acquisition and procurement links on its website.

In addition to the above websites, you can find more information and get help with the government contracting process at USA.gov. Again, these resources are also free to use. If a company attempts to charge you for these resources, notify the appropriate federal agency immediately.

How Can An Attorney Help You Obtain Federal Government Contracts?

As with any contract, a federal government contract is a legally binding agreement between you and a federal agency. Before contracting with the federal government, you should have your attorney review the contract carefully to explain all the terms and conditions, including any terms that might not be fair or equitable for federal business opportunities your company. Besides reviewing potential contracts, an attorney can also help you prepare proposals for potential contracts, assist in resolving disputes regarding contracts, advise you of the laws and procedures regarding government contracts, and handle any other legal matters or claims that might arise during the job.

“Before contracting with the federal government, you should have your attorney review the contract carefully to explain all the terms and conditions, including any terms that might not be fair or equitable for your company.”

Working with the government can be very lucrative, but it can also be complicated and overwhelming if you do not understand the process or current bid opportunities. A lawyer can also provide compliance counseling, which reduces the risk of time-consuming and expensive legal issues. Your legal counsel also helps you protect your intellectual property and trade secrets when working with contractors or a government agency.

Work With a DC Fractional General Counsel on Federal Government Contracts

A DC fractional general counsel helps you with every aspect of federal government contracting. From preparing your internal operations and accounting to submitting proposals for a contract award and completing the work. Contact Steve Thienel today to see how you can benefit from the guidance, support, and legal advice of an experienced general counsel.

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Three Great Websites to Find Government Contracting Opportunities