Applying for Government Contracts: 5 Steps to Take First

Curious about how to take your business to the next level by securing government contracts? ClearVision’s CEO and Principal Owner, Alesia G. Thompson, shares some initial steps you’ll need to take in order to prepare your application.

1.      Register your business with the Secretary of State. All businesses seeking government contracts must be registered with the Secretary of State. Seek support from the Small Business Adminstration (SBA), an attorney or other qualified entity for support with this process.

2.      Consider how you’d like the government to communicate with you. You may prefer to have all correspondence come directly to you. Alternatively, research the benefits of a Registered Agent, which is an individual or business entity that accepts tax and legal documents on behalf of your business. A registered agent is also known as a resident agent or statutory agent.

3.      Ensure your business has an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is issued by the IRS and used for tax identification purposes. If your principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories, you can request an EIN online. The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN).

4. Secure a Data Universal Numbering System number (DUNS). A DUNS number is different from your federal tax ID (EIN) number. A DUNS number is issued by Dun & Bradstreet, which lays the foundation for your business to establish itself as a vendor for government contracts. It is an indicator of your credit worthiness and the credit history of your business. Apply online: https://www.dnb.com/duns-number.html

5. Secure a Commerical and Government Entity (CAGE) code. The CAGE code is used to support a variety of procurement and acquisition processes throughout the U.S. Government. If you are doing business with the U.S. Government to include contracts and grants, you must register via the System for Award Management (SAM) at sam.gov. During this process you will be assigned a CAGE code if one doesn't already exist for your business. Or, if you have an existing CAGE code your information will be updated. Learn more at https://cage.dla.mil/Home/UsageAgree

If you’d like more assistance in preparing an application for a government contract, please reach out.