Government Contracting Blog

So, you are a federal contractor and would like to increase your business in the federal government marketplace. Just like the commercial world, networking is a key component to making connections and marketing your company to government customers. It can be intimidating, but just remember, most people feel the same way. Now that events are starting to ramp back up again, both in-person and virtually, it’s important to know how to effectively network. In this blog, we’ll talk about a few tips to help you make the most out of a government networking and industry days event.

Information Technology (IT) is consistently one of the top industries in federal contracting, especially within the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. As an IT contractor, you may be very aware of all the extra regulations you have to follow to make sure everything aligns with IT and cybersecurity policies. The government takes security very seriously, but they also put an emphasis on accessibility through Section 508 standards. Did you know there’s an accessibility document specifically for communication technology products?

When you enter a new marketplace, one of the first things you think about is how you can create and maintain contacts. While the federal marketplace works differently from the commercial world, it’s still something that’s relevant. Especially when you are responding to active contracting opportunities.

Past performance is a crucial component for evaluating and awarding contracts. If a contractor does not have a satisfactory record, they may not be able to perform to the expected level to complete the work type and scope. As a GSA Schedule contractor, what do you need to do to prepare for the past performance requirements? Let’s review what past performance is, why it’s important to government agencies, and how you can be ready for your next solicitation.

If you are a vendor and looking to do business with the government, how do you get started? One way is to pay close attention to budding opportunities. When a Request for Information (RFI) is released, it’s an indication that the government is conducting market research. RFIs are a great opportunity for you to get your foot in the door before a potential Request for Proposal (RFP) is shaped, and to make sure government agencies are familiar with your name and capabilities. In this blog, we’ll cover why the government issues RFIs, what RFIs can look like, and how they are useful for contractors.

As you may be aware, government agencies cannot make decisions on a whim. There are several rules, regulations, precedents, and processes that are put in place, so each decision is made carefully and methodically. This is especially true for federal procurement. Whenever a government agency has the need for a particular product or service, they often conduct market research to make sure they are surveying all the possibilities and finding the one that works the best for them. This doesn’t always mean the cheapest or the fastest, but these can be factors in determining what the best value is.