Small Business Administration Certifications
A Small Business Administration certification is a great way for your business to stand out in the marketplace. Certifications can help you gain access to specialized funding and scholarships, allow you to compete for set-aside contracts, and can be a great bonus to potential clients. Here are some certifications to consider for your small business:
- Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program (WOSBs)
- 8(a) Business Development Program
- The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Concern Procurement Program(SDVOSB)
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program (HUBZone)
Small Businesses Are Given Special Consideration When It Comes To Government Contracts
In many markets, small businesses are often outcompeted by larger organizations that often have access to almost unlimited resources. This set aside actually might increase a small business’s chances of winning a lucrative bid.
The federal government is required to set aside at least 23 percent of its total spending specifically for small businesses. Several small businesses have made a fortune just on federal government contract awards. However, many small businesses fail to realize that the government has an abundance of websites to help them find these government contracting opportunities.
The Federal Government Offers Great Opportunities For Many Types Of Businesses
The government designates a portion of the contracts for women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, companies within historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone), and service-disabled, veteran-owned small organizations. This allows underserved groups to have a real chance to get awarded lucrative government contracts.
Special Programs
Help is available from special small business programs that encourage participation by small businesses and help these businesses navigate the government contracting maze This includes small businesses owned by minority and traditionally disadvantaged groups. These programs, which are administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), assist small businesses on how to obtain both large business and government procurements.
Here is a list of websites that are provided by the government to help small businesses obtain contracting information.
Publications
The government has issued some publications to also assist small businesses. They are as follows:
- Selling to the Military: Has all the information needed about items the military is currently looking to purchase. This includes contact information for the buying offices and the Small Business Office.
- Small Business Specialists for DoD: This is a listing of names, addresses, and phone numbers for all the resources you need to do business with the Department of Defense which is one of the most well-funded purchasers in the government.
- Participating in the VA Acquisition Program: This publication covers general information about how and what the Veterans Administration buys.
The Federal Government Has Government Personnel That Are Strictly Utilized to Help Small Businesses Be More Competitive In Securing Government Contracts
Here are some examples:
- SBA Procurement Center Representative (PCR): Procurement Center Representatives are often located at a major government buying office, even though they technically work for the Small Business Administration. They will identify items and services that could be produced or provided by small businesses and try to get them “set aside” for small businesses, which means that only small businesses can bid for the contracts.
- Competition Advocate: This person is responsible for promoting full and open competition at high management levels in the major buying offices. They are supposed to challenge overly restrictive statements of work and contract clauses that can prove to be burdensome. They also try to expand competition for items by offering challenges to requirements that are not deemed necessary for the performance or essential physical characteristics.
- Small Business Specialists (SBS): The law requires that every government buying location must have a Small Business Specialist. These specialists work specifically with small businesses to help them to do business with that office. Larger government offices might have full staff while smaller offices might only have one part-time employee assigned to this role. Major government buying offices have full-time staff, while smaller offices have a part-time person assigned to that task.
- SBA Commercial Marketing Representative (CMR): Commercial Marketing Representatives keep track of large companies doing work for their departments. These representatives are often the go-to person for fantastic subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
It is smart to utilize this group of highly specialized government personnel as they are an invaluable resource for small businesses to succeed in obtaining government contracts.
National Contracts Management Association
The National Contracts Management Association (NCMA) is a government-supported organization that was started years ago (1959). It was started to help companies do business with the federal government.
The organization provides certification programs and educational seminars for small businesses. They also print a monthly magazine called Contract Management. The fee for new membership is $120 and can be thereafter renewed at $100 per year.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is a government agency that handles disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes. They are always hiring government contractors, particularly since much of their work revolves around being able to mobilize a large workforce in a relatively short period. These jobs can range from providing temporary housing to the displaced to providing clean water and food to those in need. Go to this site to find out more about small businesses working with FEMA.
FEMA is also part of the Department of Homeland Security. This is another agency that has many contracting opportunities. Just go to https://www.dhs.gov/do-business-dhs to learn more about this agency.
Make Sure You Have Your CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity)
This code is five characters and unique to your business. It’s your ID code, and government agencies will identify your business using this code. It is a bit like social security for your business. If your business includes more than one facility, then you will need multiple CAGE codes. Each location must have its unique code, and each location must be registered separately with SAM.
Remember Registration With The SAM Directory Is The Vital First Step
SAM stands for System Award Management.
To do any business with the federal government, you must register your business in the System for Award Management directory. The government will not hire any type of business (large or small) that has not registered in the SAM directory.
Please read one of the helpful blog articles on our site like Everything You Need to Know About SAM for Small Businesses. These blogs will help give you all the information you need to understand how we can help make the process very easy for you.