Get Your Start by Subcontracting | Episode 34

Send us Fan MailWhy would a business want to subcontract under a prime contractor for the federal government? It can open the door to many more contracting opportunities allowing you to build a past performance track record and help you create relationships within the federal government.In this episode we discuss starting in federal contracting by subcontracting. This is a good way to open the door to more opportunities and build experience within the contracting marketplace.First, it's a great way to increase revenue. Secondly, if you're new to the business of government contracting, it's a good way to get your feet wet and gain  important contracting experience. It's also a way to get into a targeted government agency.There are many ways to find vendors that have contracts, especially multiple contracts within a particular agency. A database such as the Market Intel provides you information on who buys what you sell, as well as who they bought from previously.By subcontracting, it allows companies that cannot otherwise bid on contracts the opportunity to be able to participate in these awards. This can take place if the contract size or certain other requirements for the contract as placed by the government.The primary advantage of subcontracting is it can open the door to many more opportunities. Say for example, you're a small business, and you could never bid a large multi-million dollar contract on your own. Well subcontracting to a company that can meet those requirements would at least allow for you to take home part of the award revenue.There are also set-aside contracts that the government issues for certain socio-economic conditions. For example, these set-aside requirements may be for businesses that are veteran-owned, woman-owned, minority-owned, HUBZone, or 8(a) disadvantaged to bid on contracts. So, if you've come across a situation where there's a set aside, and you don't qualify or you're not certified under that particular set aside, finding a prime that does qualify would certainly be a way for you to get involved in that contract. Conversely, prime contractors are always looking for set-aside qualified small businesses to participate as subcontractors in their contracts as may be required by federal guidelines under large contracts.To find prime contractors it’s important to network and speak with contracting and small business liaison officials at the government agencies that you're looking to work with. Ask questions about specific contracts and vendors in your industry and then reach out to these vendors directly with your Visit us: FedBizAccess.comStay Connected: Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on LinkedInNeed help in the government marketplace? Call a FedBiz Specialist today: 844-628-8914Or, schedule a complimentary consultation at your convenience.