Every day, thousands of new vendors try and fail to break into the world of federal contracting. While contracting can be a very lucrative market, it is notoriously difficult to break into. One of the biggest problems facing new vendors is past performance - or a lack thereof.
Simply put, past performance is your company's contracting record - which agencies you've worked with, what contracts you've completed as the prime or subcontractor, whether the work was completed satisfactorily and what problems were encountered during the job. It's like a resume for your company, complete with references and past work experience. And just like an applicant whose resume is missing these key points of information, your chances of winning a contract with no past performance are going to be depressingly low.
Besides an understandable preference to work with experienced contractors, purchasing officers also look for a history of past performance because these vendors are expected to be more knowledgeable of the unique regulations and procedures involved in federal contracting. With voters' tax dollars and budgetary limitations involved, purchasing officers are also more focused on awarding projects to vendors they feel they can trust. Without past performance references to check, there is no way to know how well a vendor will perform on a contract.
So if purchasing officers don't want to award contracts to new vendors, how do new vendors get contracts? Besides bidding for prime contracts and crossing their fingers, there are a number of ways to build past performance. Subcontracting and teaming are viable options to help build past performance and can help businesses adjust to the rules and procedures in federal contracting. Another easy way to start doing business with the federal government is through Simplified Acquisition Program and micro purchases. These kinds of acquisitions are low enough in value that purchasing officers do not need to follow formal bidding procedures. In some cases, the agency will make two or three phone calls for quotes from small businesses and make the purchase on the spot with a credit card. Don't be fooled though - any purchase under the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 qualifies for this program - and depending upon the industry, the threshold may even be higher!
Small businesses can get started with the Simplified Acquisition Program by calling US Federal Contractor Registration's Contractor Helpline. Their experienced case managers can help new vendors navigate all the requirements of the program. They have helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy. This package includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support.
US Federal Contractor Registration is the world's largest third party registration firm that con-ducts everything from System for Award Management (SAM) to GSA Schedules. US Federal Contractor Registration testimonials and reviews are second to none with having registered over 65,000 businesses in System for Award Management. US Federal Contractor Registration has also registered and provided federal marketing solutions for businesses like McGraw Hill, HP, Wells Fargo, Xerox, GoodWill, Dixie, UPS, Heinz, Sheraton Hotels, Marriott, Westin, Interstate Oil, CITI, and Coldwell Banker; as well as academic institutions and colleges like NYC, North-western, Oxford, Southwestern, and Mercer. Numerous federal agencies like US Army, US Na-vy, Veteran Affairs and United States Department of Agriculture have also had their government paperwork facilitated by US Federal Contractor Registration Case Managers.
Simply put, past performance is your company's contracting record - which agencies you've worked with, what contracts you've completed as the prime or subcontractor, whether the work was completed satisfactorily and what problems were encountered during the job. It's like a resume for your company, complete with references and past work experience. And just like an applicant whose resume is missing these key points of information, your chances of winning a contract with no past performance are going to be depressingly low.
Besides an understandable preference to work with experienced contractors, purchasing officers also look for a history of past performance because these vendors are expected to be more knowledgeable of the unique regulations and procedures involved in federal contracting. With voters' tax dollars and budgetary limitations involved, purchasing officers are also more focused on awarding projects to vendors they feel they can trust. Without past performance references to check, there is no way to know how well a vendor will perform on a contract.
So if purchasing officers don't want to award contracts to new vendors, how do new vendors get contracts? Besides bidding for prime contracts and crossing their fingers, there are a number of ways to build past performance. Subcontracting and teaming are viable options to help build past performance and can help businesses adjust to the rules and procedures in federal contracting. Another easy way to start doing business with the federal government is through Simplified Acquisition Program and micro purchases. These kinds of acquisitions are low enough in value that purchasing officers do not need to follow formal bidding procedures. In some cases, the agency will make two or three phone calls for quotes from small businesses and make the purchase on the spot with a credit card. Don't be fooled though - any purchase under the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000 qualifies for this program - and depending upon the industry, the threshold may even be higher!
Small businesses can get started with the Simplified Acquisition Program by calling US Federal Contractor Registration's Contractor Helpline. Their experienced case managers can help new vendors navigate all the requirements of the program. They have helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy. This package includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support.
US Federal Contractor Registration is the world's largest third party registration firm that con-ducts everything from System for Award Management (SAM) to GSA Schedules. US Federal Contractor Registration testimonials and reviews are second to none with having registered over 65,000 businesses in System for Award Management. US Federal Contractor Registration has also registered and provided federal marketing solutions for businesses like McGraw Hill, HP, Wells Fargo, Xerox, GoodWill, Dixie, UPS, Heinz, Sheraton Hotels, Marriott, Westin, Interstate Oil, CITI, and Coldwell Banker; as well as academic institutions and colleges like NYC, North-western, Oxford, Southwestern, and Mercer. Numerous federal agencies like US Army, US Na-vy, Veteran Affairs and United States Department of Agriculture have also had their government paperwork facilitated by US Federal Contractor Registration Case Managers.
About the Author:
US Federal Contractor Registration provides System for Award Management registration assistance, federal contractor support and premier marketing services to small businesses nationwide. Contact the Contractor Helpline today for more information about how the Simplified Acquisition Program can help your business succeed in the federal marketplace!. This article, Earn Past Performance References With US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program is available for free reprint.
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