In the process of starting your SDVOSB you have discovered Fedbizops and now you think you are on your way to be a millionaire. All of these government contracts…surely you can land one for a million dollars and ride off into the sunset.
Hold up there for a second cowboy…
Yes, the opportunities on Fedbizopps are real but they are far from being a gimme. Once you start to review and bid on these opportunities you will quickly learn the term “baked”. It is a little dirty word that federal contracting officers don’t like to hear or act like they know about. When an opportunity is “baked” that means that someone on the inside has come into an agency and presented a solution to their problem. Once someone presents a solution, the government then has to go out and see if anyone else does this type of solution (in order to find a competitive price – see story on US Government paying $500 for a hammer).
Since I know nothing about trucking let’s use that as an example. A certain agency has a requirement for hauling rocks with large trucks. Company Alpha comes into the agency and says you have a lot of rocks that need to be moved, we can do it. The agency then says “Great we will write a request for an RFP or an RFQ.” Then company Alpha says..”Oh by the way…in that RFQ that you are about to write, can you require that all of the trucks be at least 46 feet long with a class 15 hauling capacity with drivers holding special licenses.”
See Company Alpha knows that their competitor’s trucks are only 40 feet long and they only have a class 12 hauling capacity so when the contract is awarded….Company Alpha is the only company that can complete the task and they are the winner and that is what we call a “Baked” opportunity. So as you go through the opportunities on fedbizops – carefully look at each one, look for weird requirements that are a little too precise and then you will know that Betty Crocker is the Contracting Officer at that agency. If the op looks like a good fit for you and the bidding is wide open…then get on it and hope for the best, you just might surprise yourself.
R/S
Joel Stevens
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Fedbizops.gov fbo.gov SDVOSB Service Disable Veteran Small Business Baked Opportunities |
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Another thing to keep in mind are whether or not there are incumbents currently doing that work. You can usually tell if they are looking for someone with specific history and experience. For example, the RFP calls for experience moving rocks on the government compound for a minimum of 5 years. If you can’t tell if there’s an incumbent, it’s ok to ask that question when formal questions on the RFP are due. It’s tricky trying to unseat the incumbent and the usual practice is to find a more superior Program Manager and give them a very competitive price.
Also, regarding the bit below about registering within the CCR. Since it is public information, be prepared to be SPAMED if you have your email address on it.
Happy to see the blog and agree with what you are saying 100%.
One other thing to keep in mind that when looking on FBO and you read a solicitation that you “just know” you could fulfill, read the fine print. Often a DAPA agreement is required or (JIT) just in time delivery and the list goes on, it’s not always just the specs of the product. If you’re new to this it can be frustrating to say the least but opportunities are out there. As a SDVOSB you will have to work harder, dig deeper and do it better and cleaner than anyone else. Once you prove yourself however, the opportunities become more plentiful.
A word on GSA / FSS schedules. If you plan to go down that path it will be difficult but worth the efforts. There are a lot of companies out there making big promises about getting you on a schedule and charging an arm and a leg with rights to you first born to fill out paperwork which you can do yourself. I recommend contacting your local PTAC (procurement technical assistance center) for assistance. The PTACs don’t have time to do it for you but can help you through the rough spots. If you do the work yourself you will be in a much better position to manage the schedule properly once you get awarded.
Again great blog! I am glad to see someone sharing good, useful information and plainly stating the realities of what a SDVOSB faces in the federal marketplace.
I am brand new to this and your insight was great reading for me. I am a small disvantaged business owner not looking to get rich quick or anything. I am just working for a fair chance to do business with our goverment agencies.Since i was also born and raised in the united states. I pay my taxes to the same goverment as everyone else. Hard work i am use to and i know there are no such things as a free ride. I just hope that some agency will see that i am here to do legit business with them and give me a chance to prove myself. This is nothing new for me I have been proving myself all my life since i am african american. But i can do just as good of work as the next man if not better work. My moto has always been good better or best never let it rest until my good is better and my better is best.
Sincerely,
Written,
Cletis O’quinn
I was going to pay someone $2000.00 to fill out the AA certification. He used to work for the GSA Dept. and can make sure that the form is fill out correctly. He said his client usually get certified within 60days.
Cindy
This is a great article.
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