While searching for a contracting opportunity on SAM.gov, you may have glossed over entries that are marked as Sources Sought Notices (SSNs). Maybe it's because it's not a formal government solicitation and overall may seem like an underdeveloped opportunity, but we suggest you take a closer look, because Sources Sought Notices play a key role in federal procurement and can increase your odds of winning the opportunity.

Like shopping and ordering items online in just a few clicks on Amazon, GSA Advantage! is an online shopping and ordering system operated by the General Services Administration (GSA). The system provides government agencies access to a wide range of products and services available on GSA Schedule contracts, which are pre-negotiated agreements between GSA and commercial companies.

As a GSA contractor, you have access to a bustling government marketplace that includes federal as well as state and local agencies. While you are part of a smaller pool of businesses and can go after unique opportunities that other commercial businesses can’t, competition still exists. How do you stand out from your competitors in this market? In this blog, we’ll discuss 8 strategies you can use to set your business apart.

Working with the federal government can be a cumbersome process, even as a contractor through the General Services Administration (GSA). With an abundance of necessary paperwork and regulations associated with acquiring and maintaining a GSA Schedule contract, a common practice is to hire a GSA Schedule consultant to guide your company through the process.

Certifying as a small business is an important step for GSA contractors who qualify, and some small businesses can even go further to certify for one of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) socioeconomic programs. This includes the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs. This certification allows small businesses access to exclusive set-aside opportunities. Women Owned Small Businesses make up 5% of the government’s acquisition goals, and it’s important all businesses that qualify know how to certify.

When you are preparing your GSA Schedule offer, there’s a whole section dedicated to your past performance and experience selling your products and/or services called the technical section. Just like a resume and cover letter acts for a job interview, the government wants to know you have experience and success selling your solutions before you offer them through a GSA Schedule. Once you get your contract awarded, the evaluations don’t stop there.