Getting Prepared to Compete for Federal Contracts

• Obtain a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) Number from Dun & Bradstreet at www.dnb.com which is required for registration in the CCR.
• Register on the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), www.ccr.gov. If your firm is registered keep the registration current by updating yearly. The FAR requires that a firm be registered on the CCR to receive a contract award.
• Know the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and the Federal Supply Classification (FSC) code for your product or service. Most federal procurements are listed by their NAICS or their FSC code. Small business size standards vary by different NAICS codes.
• Complete any certifications which may be required (see Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 19).
• Complete the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) at http://orca.bpn.gov/ . By using ORCA, a contractor can enter their Reps and Certs information once for use on all Federal contracts, which eliminates the need to fill out the information for each contract.

Prepare a Capture Strategy

• Visit websites of agencies that your firm is interested in doing business with to learn about what kinds of projects will be completed with Recovery Act funds.
• Identify how your firm can help agencies with Recovery Act projects.
• Document qualifications and prior work completed. Be sure to document contract numbers, points of contact, and dollar values.
• Attend agency Small Business Outreach conferences and agency sponsored Matchmaking sessions. Individual agencies Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) websites (www.osdbu.gov) will have a listing of the time and location of the events. Network with a wide variety of agency Small Business Specialists.
• Visit Recovery.Gov frequently.

Pursuing Opportunities

• Visit FedBizOpps.gov, the Government’s single point of entry portal for contracting opportunities regularly. Daily visits are recommended.
• Pursue Subcontracting opportunities. There are various subcontracting opportunities that are available. There is not a single point of entry for subcontracting. SBA’s SUB-Net, http://web.sba.gov/subnet/ is a resource for information on subcontracting opportunities.
• In responses to solicitations and other communication with Government personnel emphasize that your firm is able to respond quickly to solicitations and that your firm is ready to perform the work when and if you are awarded a contract.