Are you a company interested in doing business with the federal government? Federal government contracting is a multi-billion-dollar industry and Ohio government contracts are an eight billion-dollar market. Here are five tips to help you get started:
- Obtain a DUNS Number
A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is the industry standard for keeping track of the world’s businesses. It is required by the government, major financial institutions, corporations, trade associations, and more. For more information, visit: fedgov.dnb.com/webform or call (800) 705-5711 to obtain a DUNS number.
- Get Certified
If you are a small, minority-, veteran-, or women-owned business, it’s important to get your business certified. Certifications provide businesses access to set aside contract opportunities.
Federal Certifications include:
- Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
- Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
- Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
- Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE)
- S. Small Business Administration 8(a)
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone)
State Certifications include:
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Encouraging Diversity Growth and Equity (EDGE)
- Register in SAM
The System for Award Management (SAM) contains a nationwide electronic database of firms that do business with the federal government. Any firm interested in doing business with the federal government must be registered in SAM. For more information, visit: www.sam.gov.
- Schedule an Appointment with Us
Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) are a local resource that can assist businesses with marketing their products and services to the Department of Defense (DoD), or other federal, state, and local government agencies. These services are available at no-cost to Ohio small businesses.
- Explore the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS)
This web-based application provides the capability to search, view and submit on Requests for Quotations (RFQs) for DLA items of supply. DIBBS also allows users to search and view Request for Proposals (RFPs), Invitation for Bid, awards, and additional contract information related to DLA. For more information, visit www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil.
We hope this list of tips will help you in your process as you begin competing for and winning government contracts. Do you have any additional tips or suggestions? Please comment below and let us know of other ways that can help Ohio small businesses become successful with doing business with the federal government.