Strategies for Bidding on Government Contracts

Sep 3, 2024

Using SAM.gov to Find Bids

Introduction

  • SAM.gov is a platform to find opportunities to bid on government contracts.
  • Key strategy: Use the advanced search feature.

Finding Opportunities

  1. Log In: Ensure you are logged into SAM.gov.
  2. Navigate to Advanced Search:
    • Go to Contract Opportunities.
    • Use the Advanced Search.
  3. Criteria for Search:
    • Set Aside: Total Small Business.
    • Notice Type: Combined & Solicitation.
    • Date Range: Opportunities due next month.

Approach to Selecting Bids

  • Look for products/services you can easily middleman.
  • Consider opportunities that won't "break the bank."

Example

  • Catering at Fort Drum:
    • 21-day catering service.
    • Suitable for middleman strategy.
    • Attachments available when logged in.

Tracking and Organizing

  • Use a client relations tracker to organize opportunities.
  • Follow opportunities to get updates.
  • Export opportunities to Excel for easier analysis.

Bidding Strategy

  • Competition: Total small business has less competition than full and open.
  • Engagement: Follow opportunities for updates.
  • Evaluation: Assess if an opportunity is worth the effort (e.g., response time, price clauses).

Time Investment

  • Treat SAM.gov searching as a time investment similar to using social media.

Winning Bids

  • Understand what it takes to win:
    • Do not rush bids or set unrealistic profits.
    • Focus on quality over quantity.

Confidence in Bidding

  • Approach with confidence and self-belief.
  • Be assertive in your capabilities.
  • Re-examine your approach if necessary.

Inspiration and Motivation

  • Speaker's Experience: Has been involved since 2007.
  • Your success on SAM.gov is a matter of confidence and strategy.

Additional Resources

Closing Thoughts

  • SAM.gov is a significant resource for government contracting.
  • Confidence and persistence are key to success.
  • The fourth quarter is crucial; aim to win contracts.

Final Advice

  • Don't be discouraged by criticism or setbacks.
  • Maintain motivation and focus on the potential of SAM.gov.