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The United States federal government obtains most of its goods and services from private businesses through the United States General Services Administration or GSA. The GSA contracts with private businesses that wish to provide their products or services to the federal government. If you wish to contract with the GSA, you can get help with your contract by following the steps below.

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Steps

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    Visit the GSA’s Office of Small Business Utilization (“OSBU”). The OSBU was established to help small businesses locate and obtain GSA contracts. You may visit the OSBU online at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/105221 or contact them by telephone at 1-855-OSBUGSA (672-8472). Ways in which the OSBU can help you with your contract include, but are not limited to:
    • Teaching you how to navigate the federal contract system. The OSBU offers in-person and online training designed to teach you how to locate and procure a government contract, as well as a mentor-protégé program that facilitates partnerships between small, disadvantaged businesses and seasoned GSA contractors. You may locate training programs near you by selecting your GSA regional office on the map at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/event/getRegions.
    • Providing you with tools to research open business opportunities. From the GSA website, you can locate and read about current and upcoming GSA contracts and opportunities throughout the federal government. Tools provided include a Google-like search engine, which allows users to search the procurement database for contracts by keyword and a more advanced search engine, which allows users to select the type of contract, the location of the contract, the set-aside code, and even the agency offering the contract.
    • Helping you find set-aside opportunities available to your business. Set-aside opportunities provide specific socio-economic businesses, such as women or veteran owned businesses, with their “fair share” of government contracts. To determine if your business falls within one of the designated socio-economic categories, visit the Small Business Association’s (“SBA”) Small Business Certifications and Audiences webpage at http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/contracting/working-with-government/small-business-certifications-audiences.
    • Providing counseling and support services. The OSBU maintains a network of support for small businesses, providing counseling on marketing, disputes, and other challenges businesses may encounter while attempting to procure a GSA contract. The fastest way to receive counseling and support services information for your local area is to complete a request for information form at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/101355.
    • Giving step-by-step instructions for registering with the GSA to receive government contracts. Before obtaining any government contract, providers must complete specific registration requirements. Instructions for completing the requirements can be found on the GSA’s website at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104121.
    • Answering specific questions directly. If you have a question specific to your business, you may ask the GSA directly at http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/101355.
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    Call or visit a local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (“PTAC”) for additional contracting assistance. Each state, and some U.S. territories, has a PTAC that provides training and assistance, for little to no fee, to small businesses who want to contract with the GSA. Locate the office nearest you at http://www.aptac-us.org/news/. Various types of assistance offered by PTACs include:
    • Help with government registrations and certifications. Certifications and registrations are required to contract with different levels of governmental agencies and may also help businesses be more competitive in the government contracting, or GSA, marketplace. PTACs can help you determine what certifications your business is eligible for, and assist you in completing the necessary applications. It can also assist with the various database registrations that will be necessary for you to participate in GSA contracting.
    • Matchmaking events. Matchmaking events are regularly sponsored by PTACs, and can offer small business owners a way to network with agency officers, contractors, and other business that may offer subcontracting opportunities.
    • Proposal preparation. Preparing a proposal in response to a solicitation, or open contract, can be difficult, but a PTAC procurement specialist can help you respond to even the most complicated GSA contract.
    • Contract performance issues. Even after you have secured a GSA contract, a PTAC can help you with performance issues including, but not limited to, negotiations, accounting, quality control, and accident prevention plans.
    • Audit preparation. When it is time for an audit, a PTAC can help you prepare by providing you with information about what to expect, what documentation you should have, and how to keep your documentation in order.
    • Classes and workshops. Many PTACs offer free and inexpensive, comprehensive classes and workshops to help businesses get started with GSA contracting, learn to navigate the federal contracting system, locate appropriate opportunities, prepare proposals in response to solicitations, and market their product or service more effectively.
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    Use the U.S. Office of Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Office of Government Contracting (“GC”). The GC advocates for small and disadvantaged businesses in the federal procurement arena. On the GC website, users can search for open GSA contracts, locate GSA form, applications, and registrations; and join the SBA’s subcontracting network for assistance locating and applying for subcontracting opportunities from companies holding GSA contracts. You can find the GC online at http://www.sba.gov/about-offices-content/1/2986 or you may contact them by phone at (202) 205-6460 for additional assistance.
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    Contact an Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization (“OSDBU”) or Office of Small Business Utilization (“OSBU”) within the government agency with whom you wish to contract. Each government agency that utilizes GSA contracts has an OSBU or OSDBU to help small businesses that wish to enter a GSA contract with them. If you have a current GSA contract with, or wish to obtain one from, one or more specific government agencies, contact the OSDBU or OSBU within that particular agency for assistance.
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    Visit the Federal OSDBU website. On the site, you will find a list of links to various government agencies that can provide you with general information about GSA contracting and help with your GSA contract as well as a list of OSDBU members, or agencies who offer GSA contracts and contracting assistance. You can find the member list at http://www.osdbu.gov/members.html and the list of other helpful government agencies at http://www.osdbu.gov/sb_links.html.
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    Take a class. The SBA offers several free online classes that help teach small business owners and staff members how to be more successful with GSA and federal contracting. Visit the SBA’s website at http://sba.gov for more information or to sign up for a class.
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    Hire a professional. GSA schedule consultants, attorneys, and contract assistance firms offer many GSA contract services. If you do not already have a GSA contract, a consultant can help you determine if government contracting will benefit your company; and whether or not you are eligible to apply. GSA consultants will do most of the work in getting you a contract, and will also provide on-going contract management and support once you have been awarded a GSA contract.
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Tips

  • Because there is no limit on the number of government agencies from whom you may seek help with your GSA contract, you should feel free to contact as many agencies as you feel necessary.
  • Whenever possible, explore an agencies website before contacting them by telephone with any questions. Oftentimes, government agencies will refer callers to their website for answers to frequently asked questions, and questions which do not pertain specifically to the callers particular business.

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Categories: Careers in Government

In other languages:

Español: Cómo obtener ayuda con un contrato GSA, Русский: получить помощь по контракту с ГСА

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