10 Steps to Government Contracting
1. REGISTER AS A CLIENT WITH ALABAMA-PTAC.
Why go it alone when you can speak with a certified contracting specialist for free?
Register on Alabama PTAC website - Click here to start the Client Registration Form
Receive email announcements from AL-PTAC about Online Bid Opportunities.
2. GET YOUR DUNS NUMBER FROM DUN & BRADSTREET
Obtain your Data Universal Numbering Systems (DUNS) number. Call Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) at (866) 705-5711 or register online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
3. PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS INFORMATION TO REGISTER ON THE CCR SYSTEM
The Central Contractor Registration (CCR) System is the primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores, and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions, including Federal agency contract and assistance awards. Go to https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/ to access the CCR.
- View the CCR FAQ at https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/FAQ.aspx.
- Download the CCR User Guide and view Screenshots of the New User Registration Process athttps://www.bpn.gov/ccr/Handbook.aspx.
- Review the CCR New Registration Quickstart Guide at https://www.bpn.gov/ccrupdate/Help/New/CCR_New_Registration_Help.htm.
- TIN/EIN - Taxpayer Identification Number, Employer Identification Number
Ensure your organization has a Taxpayer Identification Number or Employer Identification Number (TIN/EIN), and know the organization’s taxpayer name associated with that TIN. To obtain an EIN visit http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=102767,00.html - CAGE CODE - Commercial and Government Entity Code
New registrants in the CCR system will be assigned a CAGE Code as their CCR registration goes through the validation process. - MPIN - Marketing Partner ID Number
The MPIN is a mandatory data element created by the CCR registrant. The MPIN is a personal code that allows you to access other government applications such as the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). The MPIN acts as your password in these other systems, and you should guard it as such.
4. IDENTIFY YOUR BUSINESS SERVICE AND PRODUCT CODES
There are various industry and government code systems used to categorize and identify products and services. In each system, find and copy the category codes and descriptions that match the products or services your business offers.
- NAICS CODE North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) at http://www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/
- PSC – Product Service Code Download: http://www.fpdsng.com/downloads/service_product_codes.pdf (PDF) or http://www.fpdsng.com/downloads/psc_data_12242008.xls (MS Excel) Browse online: http://www.outreachsystems.com/resources/tables/pscs/
- FSC – Federal Supply Classification See http://www.drms.dla.mil/asset/fsclist.html or http://www.dlis.dla.mil/h2/
- SIC – Standard Industrial Classification
See http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html and http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/sic.html - ORCA – Online Representations and Certifications Application
Login with your DUNS Number and MPIN to Add or Update your ORCA Record athttps://orca.bpn.gov/
5. CHECK THE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
Determine if your firm qualifies for 8(a) business development or HUBZone certification. These certifications are detailed at the SBA website at http://www.sba.gov/
6. BEGIN TO SEARCH FOR CURRENT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Find open bidding opportunities and contract awards advertised on “Federal Business Opportunities” at http://www.fbo.gov
7. VISIT DIBBS – Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System
https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/
8. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH BOTH THE FEDERAL AND DOD CONTRACTING LEGAL PROCEDURES
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at http://www.arnet.gov/far/
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/
9. EXPLORE SUBCONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES (LESS RISK)
Go to http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/
10. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND MARKET YOUR FIRM TO THE RIGHT CONTACTS
Focus on marketing your firm to the federal agencies that would demand your product or service.
