So What Are The Top Areas For Government Contracting?
Here at Sam Directory, we have comprised a list of the hottest areas for contracting with the government in 2020. We want to be one of your main resources for information about this profitable area of business.
Cloud Computing
More and more companies are doing away with having local servers and personal devices to handle modern software applications. Now more than ever, companies are relying on cloud computing to maintain multiple copies of the data to mitigate instances of security threats, data loss, and data breaches.
The government is no exception. They understand that cloud computing will lower costs significantly and help them manage their data more efficiently. Small businesses that understand how to utilize cloud computing should be in a very good position to cash in on this new wave of data management architecture.
Cyber Security
As the world becomes increasingly higher-tech, security breaches are more likely to be in data management than on the battlefields. The government needs to stay several steps ahead of those who wish to exploit undiscovered vulnerabilities in our systems. This is why cybersecurity will be a very lucrative area for government contractors. This is particularly true in 2020, which will be an election year. Cybersecurity will be used to protect voter databases and voting machines.
Cybersecurity is also going to be a big part of government protection when it comes to cyberattacks on supply chains. Contractors that can help manage these constant threats to government security will be in high demand.
The Department Of Health And Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services states its mission “Is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services” This is an agency whose need has only increased due to the current pandemic of Covid-19.
This agency is a great contracting source for small businesses that provide healthcare services and products. Go to https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/index.html for more information. This agency also does a lot of partnerships, so it is a great way for a small business to get its foot in the door with many other types of government agencies.
Department of Energy
The Department of Energy defines its mission as “…. to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.”
The Department of Energy has a network of 36 Facility Management Contracts. They include the following:
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Office of Environmental Management
- Office of Fossil Energy
- Office of Nuclear Energy
- Office of Science
- National Nuclear Security Administration
This provides many opportunities for contractors that have energy management capabilities and supplies.
Reforms In Security Clearances
There will be a complete overhaul of the Department of Defense’s clearance process which will affect all government agencies in 2021.
Government contractors need to be able to pass several security clearances. A background check on your company and employees is often a condition of employment.
This will include the following:
- Employment
- Education
- Criminal Records
- Credit History
- Motor Vehicles and License Records
You should make sure that all your personnel and employees can pass this intensive screening. If there are any issues, make sure the government is made aware of them ahead of time, so that an explanation can be given. For example, if you are participating in programs that rehabilitate criminals by giving them jobs. Transparency is often the best way to deal with situations that might cause an issue in obtaining lucrative government contracts.
Blockchain
Blockchain allows for the distribution of data on multiple platforms at the same time. It grows as a new set of recordings, referred to as blocks, are added to it. All the blocks contain timestamp information linking them to previous blocks, thus creating a chain. This allows for no data block to be altered without the alteration of all the blocks that came before it.
The government is interested in blockchain data management because it is decentralized and allows for more security for transactions. This usually also means that operating costs can be lower. The United States government became interested in blockchain technology in 2016 and it should be a very lucrative avenue for many small businesses.
Innovation OTS is a five-year program that will continue in 2020. It aims to provide opportunities for nontraditional government contractors to work with the Department of Homeland Security developing new technologies to address upcoming threats. In 2020, small business contractors can take advantage of Innovation OTS to form government partnerships and provide innovative technologies.
Infrastructure Construction
There are at least 21 billion dollars allocated for infrastructure spending by the federal government. The United States is a vast land of highways, roads, bridges, and dams. All of these structures need to be constantly maintained for safety and to fuel a strong vibrant economy. The country also needs to construct new infrastructure to keep up with the needs of a growing population.
These types of large infrastructure projects take years to complete and will be a viable source of revenue for many types of small businesses. The United States government will be needing supplies, labor, and services for these projects for many years to come.
The Government Will Always March Forward
The Federal government will soon be back on track and in much need of goods and services provided by small businesses. Many agencies, such as the Department of Defense, are fully funded for the year. and will be moving forward with their contracts immediately.
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. Sam Directory will happily guide you through this often confusing process. With our help, you will be able to be on the path to government subcontracting quickly and efficiently.