Aiming to win a government contract? Not to worry, for we've got you covered. These A+ tips can move you a notch higher in the contracting scene.

1. A+ TIPS ON HOW TO WIN A
GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

4. Study your target federal agency
O Once you’ve identified your business’
niche, you can easily make a list of federal
agencies that can be your potential market.
O Make sure that you study their
organization’s goals and objectives.
O This will be helpful when you create your
business proposal later on since you can
gear it towards the attainment of the
agency’s goals and thus giving you an
advantage.

5. Research on past bids and procurement records

6. Research on past successful bidders of your
target federal agencies.
O What were the business strategies of these
successful bidders?
O What kind of products/services do they offer?
O What made them win the contract?
O Are these successful bidders your competitor?
O Can you build partnership with these successful
bidders?

7. Researching on the procurement records of your
target agencies also gives you an idea on
O How much do these agencies are actually
spending/willing to spend on procurement?
O What kind of projects do they usually do?
O What kind of business do they usually engage
with?

8. Enhance your business’ visibility
O Make sure that your business have a Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number
O Register at the government’s System for
Award Management (SAM)
These are basic requirements before you
can bid for a government contract and by
doing these, different agencies will be aware
of your products and services.

9. Build your online profile

10. O Provide all necessary data in your online
business profile.
O Make sure that your phone
numbers/fax/mailing addresses are
updated so you can be easily contacted
by federal agencies
O Highlight your business’ milestones and
achievements.

11. Read tender documents thoroughly

12. O Once you’ve finally received an invitation
for bids, make sure that you read the
tender documents thoroughly.
O Study the conditions of the contract and
evaluate if you are indeed capable of
providing the needed resources of the
federal agency.
O Make sure that you follow all tendering
instructions carefully.

13. Create an impressive and realistic business
proposal

14. O In creating your business proposal make
sure that both your business’ goals and
the federal agency’s goals are met.
O Make sure that your bid is competitive but
reasonable.
O Be client-centered: Make sure that your
business proposal stands out among the
other bidders by gearing the content
towards the attainment of the federal
agency’s goal.

15. Consider other options

16. O If you were not awarded with a
government contract during your first try,
you can still get a piece of the work by
subcontracting or considering partnership
with competitive bidders later on.
O This will allow you to gain more
experience so you can land your own
government contract later on.