US Federal Contractor Registration: How Past Performance Can Make Or Break A Contractor

By Celeste Osborne


Every day, thousands of new contractors try and fail to break into the world of federal contracting. While contracting can be a very lucrative market, it is notoriously difficult to break into. One of the biggest problems facing new vendors is past performance - or a lack thereof.

A component of success in federal contracting is the cultivation of past performance. Like a resume for a job applicant, your past performance is a record of past contract awards and how well you completed them. Much like the job market, having no past performance experience can make it very difficult for new contractors to win their first contract - past performance is one of the most important criteria purchasing officers consider when evaluating contract bids.

Just as you might check a company's references and past work experience before hiring them for a job at your home or business, so too does the federal government. Contracting officers are not just looking at whether a vendor is good at their trade however; they are also concerned whether the vendor is familiar with federal contracting regulations and paperwork and whether they can be trusted to work on potentially sensitive projects and properties.

Although it can be frustrating, there are ways for new vendors to break into the federal market. The best way is through the Simplified Acquisition Program. Contracts that fall below the simplified acquisition threshold have a much less complicated award process than larger projects. In some cases, purchasing officers will call one or two vendors on the phone and make a purchase on the spot - which can open the door for a new vendor who has never worked a contract before.

Small businesses can get started with the Simplified Acquisition Program by calling US Federal Contractor Registration's Contractor Helpline. Their experienced case managers can help new vendors navigate all the requirements of the program. They have helped generate millions of dollars of revenue for many struggling vendors, including Mac Made Easy, Creative Tent International, Excel Concrete, Suburban Surgical Co., Inc, and Nancys I.T. Guy. This package includes everything necessary to start working with the federal government as soon as possible. The Simplified Acquisition Program provides System for Award Management registration, a seven page website in the standard Federal Government format, branded domain name and hosting, search engine optimization, customized official government profile, monthly email bid notification and contract support.

US Federal Contractor Registration provides registration services and access to the Simplified Acquisition Program. The Simplified Acquisition Program was designed around the government contract rulings as set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Simplified Acquisition contracts are government contracts that range in size between $2,500 and $150,000.




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