1. Ensure your company has a DUNS number for doing business with the Federal Government. This is free to obtain for the purpose of pursuing Federal contracts and can be obtained at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/ NOTE: After April 2022, the Federal Government will stop using the DUNS number to identify business entities and will assign a Unique Entity Identifier. If you receive a DUNS prior to that date and complete step 2, you will automatically be assigned a new entity identifier, and you will have no further action.
2. Register your company as an entity at www.sam.gov This registration is required to receive a contract from any Federal agency. For your registration, you will need your DUNS number for this process, tax ID, and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for your business capabilities. You can identify any applicable NAICS at https://www.census.gov/naics/ There is no limit to the number of NAICS your company can use in your registration.
3. Take some time to understand the available small business programs, your company's small business status and what that means to you in your Government contracting pursuits. Learn more at https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs and Small Business Programs Synopsis Document.
4. Determine what agency or agencies buy what you sell! Remember each Federal agency has a very different and specific mission with supplies/services required to support that mission, which is what they buy! Use your business develop time wisely by learning about and approaching the agencies with the most opportunities that match your capabilities- make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck and it may not be with USACE! There are many tools available for you to research Government spending and potential customers, including the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) at https://www.fpds.gov/fpdsng_cms/index.php/en/, which is the repository for all Federal contract actions valued over $3500.00.
5. Understand how the Federal Government buys supplies and services and any agency specific requirements. All of the Federal Government regulations for procurement are located at acquisition.gov and additional specific requirements for USACE are located at https://www.usace.army.mil/Business-With-Us/Contracting/Resources/
6. Review SAM.gov and become familiar with searching for specific opportunities and notices by NAICS, agency, etc.
7. Who can help you with all of the above and provide extensive information on navigating Federal contracting at no cost to your business? Your state's Apex Accelerator (formerly known as PTAC) will provide one on one counseling and training to your company to ensure that you are on the right track to successfully do business with the right Government customer! Your state's Apex Accelerator can be found at: APEX Accelerators