Horror movies are good for giving you the heebie-jeebies and you can watch the best screams on screen above, but you don’t have to scream like that because doing business with the government is not a scary process. At least it doesn’t have to be.
I will debunk common misconceptions of government business and how you can handle them.
Schedules VS. Bids
Many rag on schedules and they have a bad rap because many think they are difficult to obtain entry upon and sales from. That’s false. My last year in the FSS saw the VA’s schedule program make $17B in sales. That “B” is for billion and it’s not all pharmaceuticals and big business. Quite the opposite, actually.
Furthermore, the schedules can be your introduction into the federal space. I’ve worked with several businesses in which this is the case. I’ve also seen where FSS contracts save businesses. It’s also common to have manufacturers of commercial goods either highly concentrated in federal business and even scrap their commercial sector all together because of their FSS contract. They have the potential to magnify small businesses into industry juggernauts. See AvKARE. They were a five employee small business when they started furnishing the government. They aren’t any more.
A business needs to know the same thing for a bid as you do a FSS contract.
Bids are a quicker process for your business and can be a means for more immediate cashflow. They are also more specific and less generalized.
Schedules allow your company to cast a wide net in terms of line-items and geographic location. Whereas bids are very specific to what is needed and where.
Schedules don’t cost a company as much as a Cadillac in administrative-fees unless they apply 5-10 times to get on one. In fact, they are a great advertising tool to cast a wide net to make you a lot of money.
You still have to bid using SAM but an FSS award makes that process very easy for you and quickens the purchasing process for the government.
So, why not do both if you see your company in federal business? You can have a FSS contract in place with either GSA or the VA as well as bid on specific projects in your backyard. Don’t think one is better than the other. I can help you with both.
Using The SBA & PTACS
The SBA has a great library of learning materials and the local PTACs have wonderful webinars. Both are free but they won’t coach you through, consult on next steps or aid in administration before submission. I will. Use those resources to gather information to increase your knowledge base and hire a consultant as needed. However, don’t depend on these entities to give you answers to all your questions. Again, I can do that and I have a proven track record that proves such.
Buzzwords & Buzzworthy
Don’t get wrapped up in the next big thing from DC immediately upon rollout. It usually takes five years to stick and if it does then it usually is watered down. Don’t let new deter you from your vision. Keep the focus.
After reading this, I hope you are a little less trepidatious about federal contracting. It’s a worthwhile venture and our government needs good businesses like yours to serve and protect the citizens of this country.
If you think I can help you then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory email and free consultation.
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