Contact your state government agency responsible for filing corporate documents
Usually, this is the State Secretary’s business department or office. Engage a trusted company or legal consultant’s services. You may want a professional opinion on different types of organizational structures— sole ownership, Limited Liability Company, corporation, or other structures appropriate for your business. Depending on the type of business product or service, to receive a local occupational license, file the required paperwork. For advice on bonding plans or personal or professional liability policies, contact the insurance agent.
Conduct research on developing a business plan.
SCORE collaborating with the U.S. Small Business Administration, has trained managers, mentors, and other tools to support new business owners in the creation of effective business plans. Universities with accredited business schools support business incubators that are built specifically for entrepreneurs intending to sell goods and services to federal and state agencies.
Construct your business plan, following a template, if necessary.
Assemble documents such as owner credentials, financial records, marketing, and feasibility studies outcomes. If you are looking for funding, your business plan is the essential step in launching your government contracting company–whether from a lending institution, private investor, or venture capitalist. To differentiate your company from other companies seeking funding, it must be convincing enough.
Contact Dun & Bradstreet or access the Dun & Bradstreet website at dnb.com for entering the Data Universal Numbering System.
The process is called a DUNS number. Select the option for prospective government contractors. You can speed up your application for a refund for your DUNS number; otherwise, it will take about 30 days for your number to be issued. The fee for accelerated applications and the creation of a D&B file is $229 as of October 2010. Tell your Employer Identification Number’s Internal Revenue Service, which is the same as obtaining a Tax Identification Number. Through IRS.gov, you can complete this process electronically and obtain your number as soon as you send your data.
Access the Central Contractor Registration website at bpn.gov/ccr
When you want to register a business seeking government contracts, use your DUNS and EIN and TIN numbers when registering for the CCR database. Once you have completed your CCR application, officers and contracting officers will be able to access your business information. Additional documents are necessary for potential government contractors, such as industry codes and contact information from owners. The Federal Business Opportunities website, Fedbizopps.gov or FBO.gov, posts federal contracting opportunities on a daily basis.
Establish relationships
Establish relationships for potential joint ventures on substantial projects with other government contractors, especially prime contractors who often seek small businesses or newly formed government contracting firms. Contact information is at FBO website for contractors or by searching the CCR list. Attend events planned by government agencies to engage in outreach. Each federal government department has an office dedicated to the needs of corporations that want to sell public sector goods and services. Outreach offices hold conferences, meet and receive events, and other tasks to promote government contractors’ networking.
This blog was written by Linda Rawson, who is the founder of DynaGrace Enterprises (dynagrace.com) and the inventor of WeatherEgg (weatheregg.com). She, along with her daughter, Jennifer Remund make up the mother-daughter duo of 2BizChicks (2Bizchicks.com). For further information, please connect with Linda on LinkedIn, or contact her at (800) 676-0058 ext 101.
Please reach out to us at GovCon-Biz should you have any questions.
