There are numerous government jobs that contractors can win bids on. You have to make sure you as a contractor or subcontractor qualifies for the contract. In order to perform work on any federal government construction contract or federally assisted construction contract that is over $2000, they must pay their workers on-site the local prevailing wages and fringe benefits paid on similar projects. The Secretary of Labor determines these wage and fringe benefits.
The Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 set the stage for the requirements on how to qualify for Government Jobs. The First steps to becoming qualified is training and registering as a government contractor.
Three different Training opportunities:
· Government Contracting Guides
· Small business Guide to Contracting Opportunities
· How to sell to the Federal Government
· Face-to-Face Support and Assistance
· Procurement Technical Assistance Centers
· Procurement Center Representatives
· Training Courses and Events
· SBA Government Contacting Online Courses
· GSA Training Programs for Government Vendors
· GSA Center for Acquisition Excellence
· GSA Vendor Support Center
Registration is a three-step process
1) Obtain a D-U-N-S Number through the D-U-N-S Request Service
2) Register your business through the federal government’s Central Contractor Registration(CCR)
3) Obtain past performance Evaluations from Past Performance Evaluation form Open Ratings, Inc.
Bidding Opportunities– Now you can look for federal government jobs to bid on. A Number of places to look for these opportunities:
FedBizOpps: Federal Business Opportunities– All federal contract invitations to bid with a value of more than $25,000
GSA Schedules – contractors should review Getting on the GSA Schedules page. GSA schedule vendors can submit contract proposals and offers over the internet via GSA’s eOffer system.
Teaming and Subcontracting Arrangements – teaming with subcontractors or another business is a way to get your foot in the door with the federal government. There are resources with guidance for these arrangements.
· GSA Schedule- Contractor Teaming Arrangements – Under an arrangement contractors work together to offer a total solution for the activity’s requirement.
· GSA Subcontracting Directory– Large businesses are required to establish plans and goals for subcontracting with small business firms.
· SBA Subcontracting Network (SUB-Net) – small businesses identify and bid on opportunities.
Other Opportunities
· Business Matchmaking
· Government Contracting Opportunities for Green Businesses
· Selling Energy Efficient Products to the Federal Government
· Forums through Various Conferences
National Issues Conference – A Ford Motor Company representative point of view on improving your bid/win ratio.
QCA National Issues Conference – Bid listing – Federal Construction Contracting Bidding Reform and Direct Federal Construction Low-Bid Selection Procedure Reform