Finding Opportunities

Every day the Government publishes hundreds of request for quotations, invitations for bid and request for proposals. Contracting personnel may use different methods to promote competition and identify potential vendors. 

Among the most common methods used are:

Below the Micro Purchase Threshold ($5,000 for DoD agencies and $10,000 for civilian agencies)

For purchases under the micro-purchase threshold, buyers will usually order directly from a vendor that they already know or have identified thru SAM, DSBS or other commercial websites. 

There are indications that most government procurement transactions are micro-purchases through credit cards.  

Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations, if the contracting officer or individual appointed considers the price to be reasonable.  Such purchases must be distributed equitably among qualified suppliers.  

To tap in this market, you should:

1. Maintain your SAM and Small Business Profile (DSBS) records updated and properly completed. 
2. Have a proper presence in the Internet.
3. Identify the Government credit card holders in your target agencies and market directly to them.

Purchases above the micro-purchase threshold but below $25,000

Buyers are required to solicit competitive quotations for purchases in this range. The most common instrument that they will use a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for commercially available or non-complex products or services. 

Buyers may post their requirements in their agency website, email the RFQ directly to vendors that they have identified thru SAM, DSBS or other commercial websites.

To identify who is buying under the 25K you're going to have to do research.  The Federal Procurement Data System(FPDS) is an excellent resource. From there you can generate reports to find out what agencies have bought your products or services in the past. After that you need to start knocking on their doors.

Purchases above $25,000

Requirements in this category are published in SAM.gov website. SAM is the single government point-of-entry for all federal solicitations over $25,000. Government buyers are able to publicize their business opportunities by posting information directly to beta SAM. Vendors seeking bids for their products and services can search, monitor and verify opportunities also, they may register for free to set up a detailed search profile that automatically matches their business capabilities with federal opportunities.

Other Alternatives

Unison Global

UNISON is a privately held company that provides an online marketplace for government. FedBid charges no subscription fees to Sellers. Interested Sellers simply register, log in and submit bids for buys that correspond with their offerings. The system adds an equal percentage transaction fee to all Sellers’ bids prior to the submission to the Buyer. When the Buyer makes an award to a Seller, FedBid will collect the included fee from that Seller.

Sub-contracting

Subcontracting opportunities are a great opportunity for small businesses, especially for those not ready to bid as prime contractors. Experience gained from subcontracting with a federal prime contractor can better prepare businesses to bid for prime contracts.

SubNet is a database of subcontracting opportunities posted by large contractors looking for small businesses to serve as subcontractors.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains a directory of federal government prime contractors with subcontracting plans. To find subcontracting opportunities Click Here. 

GSA subcontracting directory

The US General Services Administration (GSA) also publishes a subcontracting directory for small businesses that are looking for subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors. The directory lists large business prime contractors that are required to establish plans and goals for subcontracting with small businesses. Click Here to explore the directory.

DoD Prime Contractor Directory

The US Department of Defense (DoD) Prime Contractor Directory identifies large prime contractors that are required to establish subcontracting plans with goals. The list includes company names, prime contract numbers, contract periods of performance, NAICS codes, company points of contact (POCs), POC phone numbers and POC email addresses. You can use this directory to find the contact information of prime contractors for potential subcontracting opportunities. Click Here to see the directory

Opportunities Forecast

Each government agency releases a procurement forecast that includes contracting opportunities for small businesses. You can review these Agency Recurring Procurement Forecasts to find out if there are agencies that are buying what you sell.

Forecasting methodologies vary by service and constitute the best estimate of each. Forecast information is provided for planning purposes and is subject to change. Click Here to go to the forecasting website.

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Having an established business, email capability, and interest in the federal market are the only criteria for participating in the program.