Becoming a government contractor is a straightforward process of submitting documents and meeting with decision makers, but earning the trust of a government agency and securing the first opportunity can be difficult. Individuals need something to sell, and they can find out which government agencies might be interested in buying it. Sometimes, partnering with another company can increase chances of success, and some governments reserve contracts for minorities and women.
Becoming a government contractor can provide a good source of income for a small business person. Government agencies often make billions of dollars in purchases each year. The process a person follows to become a government contractor is usually not very difficult. Submitting documents and meeting with decision makers is usually a straightforward process. It’s earning the trust of a government agency and securing the first opportunity that often turns out to be difficult.
A person who wants to become a government contractor needs something to sell. It could be a product, like zippers or printing paper, or a service, like window washing or commercial cleaning. When an individual has something to sell, he can try to find out which government agencies might be interested in buying it. With that information in mind, he can contact the small business specialist, or person with a similar title, at the agency he hopes to hire.
Often, a person who wants to become a government contractor makes an appointment with the government agency’s small business specialist. During this meeting, the prospective government contractor can learn who he should contact to pitch his product or service if he is not the small business expert himself. He can contact the responsible person and demonstrate the reasons why the government should hire.
Often, local and national governments post available contracts on their websites. In this case, a person who wants to become a government contractor can make an offer. An aspiring government contractor usually submits a proposal and then waits to find out if their offer has been accepted. However, it can be a long wait as some government agencies can take months to decide.
Sometimes, a person who wants to become a government contractor increases their chances of success by partnering with another company. Together, the two companies may have a better chance of landing a bigger contract. Others may sign with companies that have large government contracts, working as subcontractors. This allows them to earn money without having to be solely responsible for a large contract. Additionally, this could lead to future opportunities to work with the larger company.
Some governments reserve certain contracts for minorities and women. Often, minority- and women-owned businesses have to seek special certification to obtain one of these contracts. Organizations that offer small business help can point business owners in the right direction for this certification. Many even offer help preparing proposals or learning about government contracts.
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