Are You Ready?
The Company Readiness Evaluation will help you determine if your business is in the right place to consider selling to the government.
Prior to jumping into the government marketplace, a business should have established itself in the commercial marketplace. A business should also have a reasonable expectation that its products and/or services will be purchased in sufficient quantities by government buyers. This preliminary assessment should lead to a business's decision to move forward with government contracting opportunities.
Get the Right Registrations and Certifications
The various registrations and requirements may be confusing to someone new to government contracting. The JARI APEX Accelerator is here to help you through every aspect. You do not need to attempt any of this on your own and we encourage you to contact us even before you begin. You may also wish to attend our training workshops for additional assistance.
- Register with JARI APEX Accelerator
- Obtain your Taxpayer ID Number (TIN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Obtain your DUNS Number from Dun and Bradstreet
- Identify your North American Industry Classification System Code(s)
- Optional-Identify your Federal Supply Code(s) and/or Product Service Code(s)
- Register in the System for Award Management (SAM)
Federal government contracting requires businesses to be registered on the System for Award Management (SAM) database at www.sam.gov.
Registration on the SAM website is free and you will need to have the business entity's Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, the Taxpayer Identification Number (Tin) or Employer Identification Number (EIN), the related North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and other company information. Successful SAM registration will provide you with a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code necessary for contracting with the Federal government.
Small businesses also have the opportunity to edit their SBA profile that appears on the Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) website during the SAM registration process.
- For manufacturers and/or DoD vendors, register in the Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) system
- Register/Apply for Socio-Economic Preference Programs
- Register with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Other Registrations and Certification Programs
Your business may be required to complete other registrations and certifications depending on what you are selling. The JARI APEX Accelerator can assist you along the way. Some examples include:
- Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO): Navy vendor database
- Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS): DLA vendor database and e-commerce site
- Pennsylvania Department of General Services: PA DGS vendor database
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Business Partner Registration: PennDOT vendor database
- Allegheny County Supplier Registration: Allegheny County, PA vendor database
You also may need to register with the Defense Directorate of Trade Controls (DDTC) under International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Supply Schedule/Catalog/Approved Vendor Registration
Government buyers are no different from commercial or private buyers in wanting to do business as effortlessly as possible. Your business might need to register on one or more government procurement systems, instead of trolling for RFPS, to maximize the opportunities available to you. Typically, these registrations are long-term, government-wide contracts.
Registrations are often labor intensive, so a careful return on investment analysis is warranted before going this route. Examples include:
- U.S. General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedules (FSS): GSA Schedules for Federal contracting
- Department of Defense (DoD) e-Mall: Online catalog for Defense Logistics Agency credit card purchases
- Pennsylvania COSTARS: PA Department of General Services cooperative purchasing program
- Pennsylvania Inivation to Qualify (ITQ): Prequalified PA vendors
