Did you know that the United States government spent more than $665 billion on government contracts in the year 2020? If you’re a small business owner that is interested in getting some government contracts up for bid then there are some things that you need to know. The first time you go on a government contract can be a bit daunting and you might wonder if you’re up to the task.
You need to learn more about the application process and what to expect if you plan to bid on government contracts with your small business in the future. The good news is that you’ve found the right place to learn some helpful tips for when you’re ready to make government contract bids.
Keep reading this article for six helpful tips today!
1. Don’t Bid on Every Opportunity
It takes a lot of time and energy to submit a bid on a government contract, so you shouldn’t be afraid to get picky when it comes to the government contracting opportunities that you bid on. The logical approach to securing your first government contract is to send a bid on every available contract out there.
When you send out a contract bid to the government it is your chance to let them know that you can get the job done with confidence and competence. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’re in over your head because you bid government contracts that were beyond your capabilities.
You’ll end up creating a poor name for yourself while wasting time and money in the process. Seek government contracts that your business is qualified for. You’ll have an easier time meeting the needs of the government while growing your business.
2. Size Up Your Opponents
Odds are that you’re going to go up against some stiff competition to secure government contracting bids. You need to avoid underestimating your competition if you want the best chance to get a government contract for your small business. Many of your opponents have existing relationships with the government that run quite deep.
It doesn’t help that you’ve yet to gain government contracting experience, which puts you at a disadvantage to other businesses like yours that are competing for those bids. Make sure that you’re at the forefront of your market research before you try to unseat an established power in your industry for a government contract.
3. Be Consistent With Formatting
Part of the process for securing government contracts up for bid is to complete a proposal document to send to the government of the United States. It’s important that you do your due diligence with the Request for Proposal document when you’re bidding on government contracts. If the format is poor or all over the place then it will reflect poorly on your business.
A document with bad formatting will give the impression that you don’t care about the quality of your work. It’s a clear sign that your business cannot follow instructions. You might be nervous about writing your proposal for a bid, but that shouldn’t prevent you from following each instruction and doing the best that you can.
4. Be Specific With Your Proposal
You also need to be quite specific in your proposal to the United States government about how you can help them with their Government Acquisition needs. The officers that read your proposal will want to see a plan that you’ve come up with that is clear and thought out.
If your action plan is too vague then it could lead to rejection because the government feels that you cannot follow through with your plans. Your goal should be to impress these officers and leave a lasting impression on them that will make them think positively about you and your business.
Think of your proposal as a resume for your business. If you’re able to make your proposal stand out from the pack then you’ll give your business much better odds of securing a government contract. Avoid using gimmicks and other tactics to gain attention, as a comprehensive action plan will secure all of the positive attention that you want.
5. Bid an Appropriate Amount
It’s tricky at first when you’re trying to determine how much to bid for a government contract. You don’t want to bid too high because you don’t want to go above the budget that the government has set for their needs. Bidding too low will make your proposal seem too risky for the government to choose.
The main goal of the government when a government contract is up for bidding is to find the best mix of reliability and quality at a reasonable price. The best way to decide what to bid is to look at the records of what the government accepted in past proposals.
6. Ask Questions
It might be intimidating to ask questions when you’re bidding on government contracting opportunities, but doing so will help you understand more details of what the government expects from their partnership with you. You need to learn about the right questions to ask to get more clarity on what to expect so that your business can start preparing.
It’s also the most effective way of guaranteeing that your proposal matches up with what the government agency is looking for in their contracts. You can show them how the capabilities and skills of your business align with their needs and goals. The more questions that you ask, the better off you’ll be for acquiring more government contracts in the future.
Start Looking for Government Contracts Up for Bid
One of the best ways to grow your small business is to start securing government contracts up for bid. These contracts will pay your business well in exchange for your goods or services, though you need to do your due diligence on your bid proposal. You should also look at the winning bids for past proposals to ensure that your bid comes in at a reasonable price.
