There is no time like the present to start keeping up with U.S. federal news. I know you may be thinking we’re talking about politics, but the reality is that Federal news covers much more than that and often covers news directly related to government contracting.

The Mentor-Protégé (MP) program is a great program for small or disadvantaged businesses just starting out in government contracting or for businesses that need a helping hand when it comes to growing their government contracting practice. The Mentor-Protégé program may work with any business size, including other than small (mid-sized) businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) developed two of the most well-known MP programs: the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program and the 8(a) Small Business Mentor-Protégé Program.

The General Services Administration (GSA) held its annual Industry Days for Schedules 56, 66, and 73 on February 21^st and 22^nd this year in Fort Worth, TX. Invitations are sent out in advance to current Schedule contract holders, and this event provides a forum for open discussion about managing a contract on these schedules, communication with buying agencies and networking with other contractors. Sometimes for contractors, it can feel like you’re working against GSA to maintain and manage your contract; but this event highlights the importance of the relationship GSA has with its contractors and their mutual desire for success and sales.

In the world of government contracting, rules and regulations are everything. Just as contractors have to follow procurements laws, agencies do as well. If agencies do not follow the rules, contractors could file a bid protest against them through the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

This month we focused on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, covering what a NAICS code is, how to use codes to determine if your organization qualifies as a small business, top spending trends and much more. Now that you know about NAICS codes, start using them now to find opportunities!

Each year, the government spends millions on a vast array of goods and services, buying everything from office supplies and airplanes to fitness equipment. Given the volume of procurement activities, where do you start? You can narrow down opportunities using these codes in the right way. Your NAICS codes help focus your opportunity searches, so you can zero in on the right opportunities for YOUR business.

So many acronyms, so little time! Early in my government contracting career, I had to learn a new language as new acronyms filled every page I read! To help you better understand the federal government’s world, here are the top 10 need-to-know abbreviations this year:

1. NAICS Code- North American Industry Classification System code. Your NAICS codes help determine if you qualify as a small business. Through the Small Business Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA) established size standards for NAICS codes so businesses can understand their designation and see relevant opportunities for which they qualify. Learn more about NAICS codes and see if you qualify as a small business  here.

In an effort to create a new online portal to procure commercial goods, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), issued a notice announcing their interest in opening public dialogue. In the notice, GSA and OMB sent a request for information from industry stakeholders about Section 846 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2018. Section 846, dubbed the “Amazon Amendment”, would give government agencies the opportunity to procure commercial off-the-shelf products through online commercial portals such as Amazon, Overstock and Staples. The undertaking would provide agencies with a new alternative to GSA’s decades-old procurement vehicles such as GSA Advantage!, GSA eBuy, GSA Global Supply, and the Federal Supply Schedule.

As part of our focus on NAICS codes this month, our team did a deep dive into the NAICS codes associated with the largest federal IT spending. Given that IT modernization is still a big priority, it’s important to look at those spending trends. Specifically, we’ve reviewed the top five IT NAICS codes from fiscal years 2016 and 17.

Why review these codes? One factor driving your sales and marketing success is the ability to find great opportunities for your organization. Knowing what your NAICS Codes are, and how well they do within the government space is the first step. For example, is your main NAICS code rarely associated with government opportunities? Or are there countless opportunities for that code? If it is not associated with good opportunities, you may need to consider other relevant NAICS codes, and start looking for opportunities with those codes instead. The IT industry is a good place to start given the high spending levels in that category.  

Having a small business designation can fuel marketing and sales efforts for new federal business opportunities. Every year, the Small Business Administration (SBA) aims for certain percentage goals of budget spending that are designated for small business contracts. So, it’s critical to know if your company is eligible for small business set-aside contracts, but how to be sure? The answer is lies in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Your company’s NAICS codes help determine if you qualify as a small business based on certain size standards. Through the Small Business Act, the SBA established size standards for NAICS codes to help businesses get their designation, and see relevant opportunities for which they qualify. 

Find out if you are a small business

Just a few days into 2018, it’s clear that blockchain technology and cryptocurrency are hot topics whose popularity will continue to surge. In 2017, at times it seemed impossible to escape a discussion with peers about how we wish we’d invested in Bitcoin starting in 2009. The spike in public interest in blockchain-based cryptocurrency has nearly everyone taking note – now even the U.S. Government.

What makes cryptocurrency so valuable is the underlying technology it depends on, called blockchain. Blockchain could have a dramatic impact on internet security and communications moving forward.