Navigating the federal procurement landscape can be challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the various small business designations that might apply to your company. One of the most valuable yet often misunderstood classifications is the Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) status. If you're registering or updating your business profile in SAM.gov, you might be wondering: "Should I check that SDB box?"
Read MoreTopics: Government Contracts, Federal Marketing
If you're navigating the world of federal government contracting, you've likely heard the term "Capabilities Statement" tossed around. But what exactly is it, and why is it so crucial for your business? This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about crafting an effective Capabilities Statement that sets you apart.
A Capabilities Statement is a concise, powerful marketing document that highlights your company's core competencies, relevant experience, and qualifications for government contracts. Think of it as your business's resume, specifically tailored for federal buyers, prime contractors, and potential teaming partners.
Often referred to as an introductory capability statement or a "door opener," this 1-2 page document serves as a foundational tool in your federal business development strategy. It's designed to quickly convey your firm's:
When you meet a federal buyer, they will almost certainly ask for your Capabilities Statement. It provides them with an immediate understanding of your firm and helps them determine if further conversation is warranted. A well-crafted statement can significantly enhance your credibility and differentiate you from competitors.
Important Distinction: Don't confuse an introductory Capabilities Statement with other, lengthier documents. It's not a detailed proposal in response to a solicitation, nor is it the extensive qualifications statement often used by architectural or engineering firms. Those documents serve different purposes and come later in the procurement process. This guide focuses solely on the introductory, door-opening version.
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Topics: Federal Marketing
After winning a GSA contract and uploading their price list to GSA Advantage, many GSA contractors are excited to access the myriad of RFP’s (Request for Proposal) and RFQ's (Request for Quotation) posted in GSA’s eBuy system. While it is a boon to many a firm, you can spend all of your time responding to these opportunities with little to show for it. So let's answer the top questions you should ask before responding.
Topics: Government Marketing, Attracting Federal Clients, Federal Marketing
I recently asked government contracting officers what they would ask Santa for, if indeed there was a Santa just for government contracting officers. In particular, I wondered what would be on their wish list of improved business practices from you, their government vendors? I also asked them what you could do better to improve agency/vendor relationships and the value you deliver?
I recently read an article in USA Today about how federal agencies are coming to realize that small businesses are innovation hubs whose creativity allowed them to deliver better solutions more cheaply. The article discusses how NASA used a small, 40-person firm, Honeybee Robotics, to develop a robotic lab assistant for the Mars Curiosity Rover. Some very important lessons can be learned and applied to small businesses seeking federal contracts in other industries.
Topics: Government Marketing, Attracting Federal Clients, Federal Marketing
Since 2009, thousands of small businesses have weathered the economic storm by taking advantage of federal programs designed to channel federal contracts to small firms. Two of the more valuable programs include the GSA schedule program and the Simplified Acquisition Procedure program.
Topics: GSA Sales, Federal Marketing, Maximizing Federal Sales
Market Connection released its excellent 2012 Federal Media and Marketing Study, which presented facts and figures on how senior Federal decision-makers and employees obtain their news and information. The purpose of the report is to aid subscribers in designing federal marketing campaigns and selecting media outlets that are appropriate to the buyers preferences. I really like the demographics of the report, as 82% are aged 45 or higher, which suggests that these respondents are likely to have lots of authority or influence in their respective agencies.
Topics: Attracting Federal Clients, Federal Marketing, Federal Inbound Marketing
Numerous federal marketing experts such as Mark Amtower have been encouraging government contractors to increase their use of social media for several years now, and for good reasons. Social media marketing helps you connect with agency users and buyers, establishes your firm as a thought leader, helps build brand, and generate leads.
Topics: Government Marketing, Attracting Federal Clients, Federal Marketing, Federal Inbound Marketing
The General Services Administration (GSA) was established in 1949 by President Harry Truman. The original mission of the GSA was to stockpile supplies for wartime, store and manage government records and dispose of surplus war supplies.
Topics: GSA Contract, Federal Marketing, GSA Schedule
TurboGSA has petitioned the President of the United States to increase opportunities for small businesses to win Federal contracts by raising the Simplified Acquisitions ceiling to $500,000. This petition was filed on the White House’s new “We the People” website. This petition requires 5,000 votes for it to be considered by the White House. Your support would be greatly appreciated. If a petition gets enough support, the Obama Administration will issue an official response. You can view the petition by visiting the White House site here: http://wh.gov/gA3
Topics: Government Contracts, Federal Marketing, Maximizing Federal Sales
