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a considerable amount of free public information is available to help you determine if the government buys your product or service?
If you have not completed specific market research to determine if the government buys your product or service or does not buy it often or in quantity, you may be wasting your time pursuing government contracts.
Below are key steps necessary to determine if the government purchases your product or service:
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1.
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Learn how the government “codes” your product or service.
They
use several types of systems to identify products and services.
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A. |
Federal |
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NAICS codes (North American Industry Classification System) codes: http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics07/index.html |
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FSGs (Federal Supply Group) alpha codes for services and numeric
codes for products: www.dlis.dla.mil/PDFs/h2.pdf#search='Federal %20Supply%20Class%20code' |
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State of California – SIC codes (Standard Industrial Classification) were formerly used by the federal government and are still used by some
government entities. Use keywords to look them up at: www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html. |
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Some cities and counties – NIGP (National Institute of Government
Purchasing) codes: When these codes are used, the public agency
generally provides a list of the codes, such as this link provided
by the City of Sacramento, California: www.cityofsacramento.org/ESBD/NIGP_Codes.doc |
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Develop a list of “keywords” that describe your product or service.
Start by listing all the words that describe what you offer. Then ask others,
including people who do not understand all the technical aspects of what
you do, to provide descriptive words. Keywords will be used to research government requirements, so it is important that you use words that will represent how both your most knowledgeable and least knowledgeable
client would describe your product or service. Keywords may also be used to create a search profile if you use one of the services that searches websites to locate contracting opportunities.
For an example of a bid search service, see
www.TheFTC.org/bid-matching. |
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Research what levels of government (federal, state, local) may purchase
your product or service by visiting their websites, attending outreach events
or talking with their small business representatives. If you are interested in
federal or state customers, determine what agencies are most likely to need
your product or service. As you learn more, update the marketing section
of your Business Plan. |
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Scan government websites that post upcoming solicitations. Learn how to read the notices, or for free assistance, visit your Procurement Technical Assistance Center
(http://www.aptac-us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php).
Here is a sampling of some government websites that post announcements for contracting opportunities:
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California Department of Transportation (Caltrans):
www.dot.ca.gov/doingbusiness.htm |
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California State Contracts Register:
https://www.cscr.dgs.ca.gov/cscr/ |
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California Cities Contracting Links - Click Here |
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Defense Logistics Agency Procurement Gateway (ProGate):
http://progate.daps.dla.mil/home/ |
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Department of Energy e-center:
http://e-center.doe.gov/ |
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
http://www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/opportunities |
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Federal Business Opportunities:
https://www.fbo.gov |
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Navy Electronic Commerce Online:
www.neco.navy.mil/ |
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Orange County Purchasing Website:
https://olb.ocgov.com/Glue/MainMenu.asp |
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Sacramento County Contract and Purchasing Services Division:
www.saccountybids.net/ |
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Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD):
https://usage.smud.org/EBSSExt/ |
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Sacramento Regional Transit District:
http://www.sacrt.com/contractinginfo.stm |
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