Despite its popularity among growing businesses as a source of additional revenue, federal contracting is a tricky business to get into. Thousands register everyday hoping to strike it rich with a juicy contract only to fail. While there are many factors that contribute to this, one of the least understood and hardest to overcome is a lack of past performance.
Simply put, past performance is your company's contracting record - which agencies you've worked with, what contracts you've completed as the prime or subcontractor, whether the work was completed satisfactorily and what problems were encountered during the job. It's like a resume for your company, complete with references and past work experience. And just like an applicant whose resume is missing these key points of information, your chances of winning a contract with no past performance are going to be depressingly low.
There are many reasons why agencies prefer to work with experienced contractors with a history of past performance. Having worked past contracts not only means a contractor is more likely to provide the quality work necessary - it also means they're more likely to be familiar with federal contracting rules, regulations and procedures. Purchasing officers feel they can trust an experienced vendor more to complete all work on time and to charge fair rates. Past performance records also mean that agencies can check references to corroborate what the vendor reports about past projects.
This leaves many new vendors in a frustrating catch-22: How do you earn past performance if no one will award a contract to you because you have no past performance? Thankfully, there are a few ways to get around this obstacle. First, there is subcontracting and teaming, in which you would work a smaller part of a larger contract under the prime vendor. Some vendors are also able to build up past performance through city and state contracts. The best way to start working with federal contracts however is through the Simplified Acquisition Program. These lower value contracts do not go through the formal bidding process nor are they widely advertised. With lower competition, it is easier for a new vendor to win one of these projects even with no past performance.
US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support. This new program has helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy.
US Federal Contractor Registration is the world's largest third party registration firm that con-ducts everything from System for Award Management (SAM) to GSA Schedules. US Federal Contractor Registration testimonials and reviews are second to none with having registered over 65,000 businesses in System for Award Management. US Federal Contractor Registration has also registered and provided federal marketing solutions for businesses like McGraw Hill, HP, Wells Fargo, Xerox, GoodWill, Dixie, UPS, Heinz, Sheraton Hotels, Marriott, Westin, Interstate Oil, CITI, and Coldwell Banker; as well as academic institutions and colleges like NYC, North-western, Oxford, Southwestern, and Mercer. Numerous federal agencies like US Army, US Na-vy, Veteran Affairs and United States Department of Agriculture have also had their government paperwork facilitated by US Federal Contractor Registration Case Managers.
Simply put, past performance is your company's contracting record - which agencies you've worked with, what contracts you've completed as the prime or subcontractor, whether the work was completed satisfactorily and what problems were encountered during the job. It's like a resume for your company, complete with references and past work experience. And just like an applicant whose resume is missing these key points of information, your chances of winning a contract with no past performance are going to be depressingly low.
There are many reasons why agencies prefer to work with experienced contractors with a history of past performance. Having worked past contracts not only means a contractor is more likely to provide the quality work necessary - it also means they're more likely to be familiar with federal contracting rules, regulations and procedures. Purchasing officers feel they can trust an experienced vendor more to complete all work on time and to charge fair rates. Past performance records also mean that agencies can check references to corroborate what the vendor reports about past projects.
This leaves many new vendors in a frustrating catch-22: How do you earn past performance if no one will award a contract to you because you have no past performance? Thankfully, there are a few ways to get around this obstacle. First, there is subcontracting and teaming, in which you would work a smaller part of a larger contract under the prime vendor. Some vendors are also able to build up past performance through city and state contracts. The best way to start working with federal contracts however is through the Simplified Acquisition Program. These lower value contracts do not go through the formal bidding process nor are they widely advertised. With lower competition, it is easier for a new vendor to win one of these projects even with no past performance.
US Federal Contractor Registration's Simplified Acquisition Program includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support. This new program has helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy.
US Federal Contractor Registration is the world's largest third party registration firm that con-ducts everything from System for Award Management (SAM) to GSA Schedules. US Federal Contractor Registration testimonials and reviews are second to none with having registered over 65,000 businesses in System for Award Management. US Federal Contractor Registration has also registered and provided federal marketing solutions for businesses like McGraw Hill, HP, Wells Fargo, Xerox, GoodWill, Dixie, UPS, Heinz, Sheraton Hotels, Marriott, Westin, Interstate Oil, CITI, and Coldwell Banker; as well as academic institutions and colleges like NYC, North-western, Oxford, Southwestern, and Mercer. Numerous federal agencies like US Army, US Na-vy, Veteran Affairs and United States Department of Agriculture have also had their government paperwork facilitated by US Federal Contractor Registration Case Managers.
About the Author:
US Federal Contractor Registration provides registration assistance, contractor support and professional marketing services to small businesses nationwide. Contact the Contractor Helpline today for more information about how the Simplified Acquisition Program can help your business succeed in the federal contracting!
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