what course do you need to become a government contractor

Full Answer

Can a small business be a subcontractor to the government?

Subcontractors join prime contractor teams, usually to provide a specific capability or product For your small business to serve as a prime contractor or subcontractor, you’ll need to legally qualify as a small business and register as a government contractor.

What is a government contractor?

It buys all types of products and services, and is required by law to provide opportunities for small businesses. There are two broad categories of government contractors: Prime contractors bid on and win contracts directly from government agencies. Subcontractors join prime contractor teams, usually to provide a specific capability or product

What is the difference between a prime contractor and subcontractor?

Prime contractors bid on and win contracts directly from government agencies. Subcontractors join prime contractor teams, usually to provide a specific capability or product For your small business to serve as a prime contractor or subcontractor, you’ll need to legally qualify as a small business and register as a government contractor.

Is being a government contractor hard?

Full-time government positions are notoriously difficult to land, but they are coveted due to their pay, benefits, and stability. If getting a position with the federal government is your goal, contracting can be one way to get your foot in the door.

Is being a government contractor worth it?

Good pay. If you consider becoming a government contractor for our dearest Uncle Sam, it is probably for the money. This can be a valid reason, and the pay can undoubtedly be good. Though trade-offs exist, becoming a government contractor can help you earn more than being an employee.

What is considered a government contractor?

Federal contractors are businesses or organizations that enter into a contractual agreement with any department or agency of the United States Government to perform a specific job, supply labor and/or materials, or for the sale of products and services.

What are the benefits of being a government contractor?

Being a government contractor offers a range of benefits, such as good income, flexible work, timely payments and stable employment. However, companies that do business with the federal government must comply with specific labor laws and regulations.

What are the easiest government contracts to get?

The GSA Schedule contract is the easiest government contract to win because it's a long-standing contract with commercial industries providing the government access to millions of commercial services and products at affordable prices.

Why do government contractors make so much money?

The contractor company gets paid a lot more per employee than what a Fed makes. The reasoning is the government doesn't have to pay benefits for the employee. So they add it to the going rate for that type of employee. The contract company, in general, pays its employees the least that it can, maximizing their profit.

Who is the biggest government contractor?

Top 100 Contractors of the U.S. federal governmentTop 100 Contractors of Fiscal Year 2019Global Vendor NameDollars Obligated (millions)%Total Dollars1. Lockheed Martin$48,6668.23%2. Boeing$28,0894.75%3. General Dynamics$20,9613.55%97 more rows

What is one difference between government agencies and government contractors?

One difference between government agencies and contractors is that government agencies are public while contractors are private entities.

Are banks a federal contractor?

No, Federal Reserve Banks are not subject to OFCCP's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws because they are federal entities and not federal contractors.

How do government contracts make money?

There are exactly two ways to make money in the Federal Government contracting industry. First, you can either directly support the government on a prime contract. Second, and easiest government contract to win, you can have a subcontract under the prime contract holder.

What are the disadvantages of a government contract?

Cons of becoming a government contractorSteep learning curve. Getting your bearings in the government contracting industry can be quite challenging with all the strict processes and systems. ... Unexpected budget cuts. ... Lack of stability. ... Slow profits.

Whats it like being a government contractor?

INSTABILITY and UNCERTAINTY. Instability and uncertainty are two of the most challenging parts of being a government contractor. Even when private companies lay off employees, there is generally sufficient time to find another job, severance packages, and job placement assistance involved.

What are the two categories of government contractors?

There are two broad categories of government contractors: Prime contractors bid on and win contracts directly from government agencies. Subcontractors join prime contractor teams, usually to provide a specific capability or product.

What is the federal government's role in contracting?

Comply with federal contracting rules. The federal government is very particular about how it purchases products and services . It aims to make sure that competition is fair and open, prices are competitive, it gets what it pays for, and all laws are followed.

Can a small business be a prime contractor?

For your small business to serve as a prime contractor or subcontractor, you’ll need to legally qualify as a small business and register as a government contractor. Then you can start looking for both prime or subcontracting opportunities with the federal government.

Does the federal government encourage small businesses to take on contracting opportunities?

The federal government encourages small businesses to take on contracting opportunities. The process to register as a federal contractor is more straight-forward than most people think.

10-Week Free Education Course

Sign up today for this 10-week email bootcamp with a step-by-step guide through the process of becoming a government contractor. Reserve your spot today and put your company in a position to win your share of the government pie.

Want a piece of the government pie? Then this free online course is for you

You can’t eat the pie if you aren’t at the table. This course will make sure you’ve got what you need to succeed, and start to give you those tips and tricks that you need to move towards your first government contract. And, we’ll cover how to best leverage GovShop to help you stand out in a complex government market so reserve your spot today!

What You'll Learn

This course is designed to get you registered and ready to do business with the government. All of the lessons are drawn from our own experience as government contractors and government contracting professionals.

10-week Schedule

Get your business registered on SAM.gov so you can be eligible for contract awards

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Government Contractor Education Requirements And Degrees

There are several education requirements to become a government contractor. Government contractors usually study business, accounting or criminal justice. 54% of government contractors hold a bachelor's degree and 21% hold a associate degree.

10 Best Universities For Government Contractors

In a lot of cases, a higher education can mean a higher salary or even a better job. That's why we found out the best colleges for government contractors. We based this list on these metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of students working, ratio of working vs.

14 Best Online Courses for Government Contractors

Sometimes things are just better when you get to stay in your pajamas all day. That includes school. We found top courses for government contractors from Udemy, Coursera, EDX, and ed2go that will help you advance in your career. Here are essential skills you need to be a government contractor:

Evaluate your products and services

The federal government comprises countless government agencies, offices, and organizations that require a specific type of product or service. And because of that, the US government claims the top spot as the biggest spender in the country. From hiring video production houses to procuring medical supplies to fight the pandemic—they need it all.

Register your small business for government contracting services

Before you start you win government contracts, you have to register your business first. Small companies are subjected to a series of paperwork. This process ensures the legality of the transaction between the private enterprise and the government.

Find government contracting opportunities

After fulfilling the previous requirements, your small business is now more searchable by procurement officers! But if you want to pursue government contracting, you should be proactive in seeking contracting opportunities.

How to write an effective government contract bid

Drafting a proposal for a potential government contract is just the start of the bidding process. But it can have you look at a blank screen for hours, especially if you have no idea where to begin. To jumpstart your journey to writing an impressive bid proposal, here are some of the things you have to take note of:

1. Research about the market

You need to know who your market is, what their demands are, and what can you provide.

2. Understand the contracting rules

Because the government is using the taxpayer’s money to fulfill the demand of the government agencies, they have certain rules and regulations all throughout the contracting process that you must follow.

3. Create a business plan

You need to create a business plan as this helps you structure and run your business.

4. Determine your business category

The federal government provides an opportunity for small businesses to be certified as women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone program participants.

5. Provide a matched NAICS code

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is a six-digit code classifying the types of products that you sell.

6. Register for a DUNS number

A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a nine-digit identification number assigned to your business in order to identify your business and to track your company’s credit record.

7. Register in SAM

With lots of businesses across the United States, the government uses this platform to store information about any businesses as well as look for a specific business before awarding any contract.