{"id":378,"date":"2021-02-10T17:59:52","date_gmt":"2021-02-10T17:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/?p=378"},"modified":"2025-05-20T14:36:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T14:36:40","slug":"how-to-find-help-getting-government-contracts-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/how-to-find-help-getting-government-contracts-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Find Help Getting Government Contracts Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The United States Government Is A Very Powerful Client With Deep Pockets<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Federal government usually spends around&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/blog\/grow-your-business-through-federal-government-contracting?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;fbclid=IwAR1OwrxaJuCh7mC6EWvktmue3csNLPQI5W6bBKQzUCgnjqyyZeUkepV5b1s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">500 billion dollars<\/a>&nbsp;a year on goods and services. This makes the U.S. government an extremely attractive client. There are few other organizations with this type of spending power and clout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The government also tends to&nbsp;by&nbsp;goods and services in bulk. If your business has the infrastructure to handle large orders, then the government can help you grow substantially at an accelerated pace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Government agencies also buy goods and services in large quantities. Large orders can be a double-edged sword for small businesses. However, if managed correctly, they can help you grow substantially and rapidly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The United States Government Want To Encourage the Success of Small Businesses<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned in the first part of this series, the federal government is required to set aside at least&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sba.gov\/blog\/grow-your-business-through-federal-government-contracting?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=govdelivery&amp;fbclid=IwAR1OwrxaJuCh7mC6EWvktmue3csNLPQI5W6bBKQzUCgnjqyyZeUkepV5b1s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">23 percent<\/a>&nbsp;of its total spending specifically for small businesses.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes contracts specifically for women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, companies within historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone), and service-disabled, veteran-owned small organizations. This allows for underserved groups to have a real chance to get awarded lucrative government contracts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Federal Government Has Government Personnel That Are Strictly Utilized to Help Small Businesses Be More Competitive In Securing Government Contracts<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some examples:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>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 &#8220;set aside&#8221; for small businesses, which means that only small businesses can bid for the contracts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>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 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>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.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Publications<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-twentytwentyone-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4970\" width=\"408\" height=\"232\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-1536x878.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-2048x1170.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/busy-businessman-filing-paperwork-cluttered-desk-generated-by-ai-1-1568x896.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 408px) 100vw, 408px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The government has issued some publications to also assist small businesses. They are as follows:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/permanent.access.gpo.gov\/lps57820\/www.acq.osd.mil\/http___permanent.access.gpo.gov_lps57820_www.acq.osd.mil_sadbu_publications_selling_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Selling to the Military:<\/a>&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/li><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acq.osd.mil\/sadbu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Small Business Specialists for DoD:<\/a>&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.acquisitionacademy.va.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Participating in the VA Acquisition Program:<\/a>&nbsp;This publication covers general information about how and what the Veterans Administration buys.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conferences for Procurement<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Procurement conferences are sponsored by both the government and private businesses. These conferences are a great opportunity to meet and speak with government officials, buyers, and large prime contractors. The more populated areas of the country hold several conferences in a year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Various websites usually have a listing of when these conferences are held. You can also go to the&nbsp;FedBizOpps&nbsp;News section of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidnet.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BidNet.site<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Counseling<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-twentytwentyone-border\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5039\" width=\"312\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-people-working-with-ipad-medium-shot-1568x1046.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The government also offers more personalized guidance through counseling. There are also commercial counseling programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aptac-us.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Procurement Technical Assistance Centers<\/a>&nbsp;or PTACs offer valuable assistance to small businesses. They can be found in educational institutions. These counselors are well known for their high level of expertise. There is also a government-backed membership organization called the National Contracts Management Association.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The PTACs help small businesses locate marketing opportunities and can assist with various e-commerce issues. They can also help you prepare financial reports, procurement forms, and contractual paperwork, as well as provide guidance on quality assurance. Most of their services are free though there can be a nominal charge for services such as electronic bid matching. You can contact one of the regional directors at T<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aptac-us.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">he Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers&nbsp;<\/a>for more information. The website<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sellingtothegovernment.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;www.sellingtothegovernment.net<\/a>&nbsp;could help you to locate a PTAC near you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>National Contracts Management Association<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncmahq.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The National Contracts Management Association&nbsp;<\/a>(NCMA) is a government-supported organization that was started years ago (1959). It was started to help companies do business with the federal government.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SAM stands for System Award Management.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized is-style-twentytwentyone-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-1024x748.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2580\" width=\"305\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-1024x748.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-768x561.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-1536x1122.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-2048x1496.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/register-now-application-information-concept-1-1568x1145.jpg 1568w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 305px) 100vw, 305px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to do any business with the federal government, you must register your business in the System for Award Management. The government will not hire any type of business that has not registered in the SAM directory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How Do You Get Started Working With The Government?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the following are the steps to apply for a federal grant:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Step 1: Obtain a DUNS Number&nbsp;<\/li><li>Step 2: Register with SAM&nbsp;<\/li><li>Step 3: Register with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grants.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.grants.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grants.gov<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering what SAM means and how do you register with the site. Go to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sam.directory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sam.directory\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sam. directory<\/a>&nbsp;to find people who are willing to make this as easy as possible. Be sure to also check out our informative article&nbsp;<em>Everything A Small Business Needs to Know About the SAM Directory,&nbsp;<\/em>which should easily answer most of your questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The United States Government Is A Very Powerful Client With Deep Pockets&nbsp; The Federal government usually spends around&nbsp;500 billion dollars&nbsp;a year on goods and services. This makes the U.S. government an extremely attractive client. There are few other organizations with this type of spending power and clout.&nbsp; The government also tends to&nbsp;by&nbsp;goods and services in bulk. If your business has the infrastructure to handle large orders, then the government can help you grow substantially at an accelerated pace.&nbsp; Government agencies also buy goods and services in large quantities. Large orders can be a double-edged sword for small businesses. However, if managed correctly, they can help you grow substantially and rapidly.&nbsp; The United States Government Want To Encourage the Success of Small Businesses&nbsp; As we mentioned in the first part of this series, the federal government is required to set aside at least&nbsp;23 percent&nbsp;of its total spending specifically for small businesses.&nbsp; This includes contracts specifically for women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, companies within historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone), and service-disabled, veteran-owned small organizations. This allows for underserved groups to have a real chance to get awarded lucrative government contracts.&nbsp; The Federal Government Has Government Personnel That Are Strictly Utilized to Help Small Businesses Be More Competitive In Securing Government Contracts&nbsp; Here are some examples:&nbsp; 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 &#8220;set aside&#8221; for small businesses, which means that only small businesses can bid for the contracts.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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 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.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Publications&nbsp; The government has issued some publications to also assist small businesses. They are as follows:&nbsp;&nbsp; Selling to the Military:&nbsp;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.&nbsp; Small Business Specialists for DoD:&nbsp;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.&nbsp; Participating in the VA Acquisition Program:&nbsp;This publication covers general information about how and what the Veterans Administration buys.&nbsp; Conferences for Procurement&nbsp; Procurement conferences are sponsored by both the government and private businesses. These conferences are a great opportunity to meet and speak with government officials, buyers, and large prime contractors. The more populated areas of the country hold several conferences in a year.&nbsp; Various websites usually have a listing of when these conferences are held. You can also go to the&nbsp;FedBizOpps&nbsp;News section of the&nbsp;BidNet.site.&nbsp; Counseling&nbsp; The government also offers more personalized guidance through counseling. There are also commercial counseling programs.&nbsp; The&nbsp;Procurement Technical Assistance Centers&nbsp;or PTACs offer valuable assistance to small businesses. They can be found in educational institutions. These counselors are well known for their high level of expertise. There is also a government-backed membership organization called the National Contracts Management Association.&nbsp;&nbsp; The PTACs help small businesses locate marketing opportunities and can assist with various e-commerce issues. They can also help you prepare financial reports, procurement forms, and contractual paperwork, as well as provide guidance on quality assurance. Most of their services are free though there can be a nominal charge for services such as electronic bid matching. You can contact one of the regional directors at The Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers&nbsp;for more information. The website&nbsp;www.sellingtothegovernment.net&nbsp;could help you to locate a PTAC near you.&nbsp; National Contracts Management Association&nbsp; The National Contracts Management Association&nbsp;(NCMA) is a government-supported organization that was started years ago (1959). It was started to help companies do business with the federal government.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; SAM stands for System Award Management.&nbsp; In order to do any business with the federal government, you must register your business in the System for Award Management. The government will not hire any type of business that has not registered in the SAM directory.&nbsp; How Do You Get Started Working With The Government?&nbsp; For example, the following are the steps to apply for a federal grant:&nbsp; Step 1: Obtain a DUNS Number&nbsp; Step 2: Register with SAM&nbsp; Step 3: Register with&nbsp;Grants.gov&nbsp; You might be wondering what SAM means and how do you register with the site. Go to&nbsp;sam. directory&nbsp;to find people who are willing to make this as easy as possible. Be sure to also check out our informative article&nbsp;Everything A Small Business Needs to Know About the SAM Directory,&nbsp;which should easily answer most of your questions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=378"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5050,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/378\/revisions\/5050"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sam.directory\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}