Contracting Resources

Government Contracting Assistance

Contracting with the Government

Navigating defense and other federal contracting policies, processes, and regulations can be confusing! Start here to find information and resources. Contact us if you have questions.

Federal Registrations & Certifications

Registrations:

Identify your NAICS Codes:

North American Industry Classification System Codes are used to tell government what you sell and for government buyers to identify what they are procuring. You will need to select your NAICS codes to register in the System for Award Management (see below). They are also helpful when searching for opportunities.

Register in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov):

Registration in SAM is required to be awarded a federal contract. See tips from the U.S. Small Business Administration on how to register as a government contractor and a screenshot guide to registering from Washington PTAC.

To register in SAM, you will first need to obtain a DUNS Number.

Certifications:

What is a small business?

What is a small disadvantaged business?

SBA 8a Business Development Program

SBA HUBZone Program

Federal Women Owned Small Business Program

Federal Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business

VA Veteran Owned Small Business (required by the VA and Federal Aviation Administration)

Federal Agency & Prime Contractor Small Business Programs

Federal agencies and large prime contractors have goals to do business with small businesses as well as women owned, service disabled veteran owned, small disadvantaged, and HUBZone certified businesses. (See Registrations and Certifications tab for additional information).

 

Office of Small Business Programs for the Air Force, ArmyNavy and Others

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest (NAVFAC)

Department of Energy Small Business Office
Learn about opportunities for small businesses to do business with the Department of Energy.

U.S. General Services Administration Assistance for Small Businesses
GSA is a buyer for all federal agencies. They manage a variety of procurement vehicles, including the GSA Multiple Award Schedule program as well as procurement through their Public Building Services division.

Doing Business with Boeing

Market Research & Finding Opportunities

Search for opportunities on FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov)
You’ll find federal contracting opportunities over $25,000 posted on this government-mandated central repository of federal government procurement information.

www.fedbid.com
A reverse auction site frequently used by federal agencies to conduct buys for simple goods and services under $150,000.

Track federal government spending at USAspending.gov and FPDS.gov

Conduct market research to identify agencies that procure your products or services.

General Federal Information

Federal Acquisition Regulations and the Code of Federal Regulations
The regulations that govern federal contracting and small business programs

A guide to contracting opportunities with the Department of Defense

The Basics of Department of Defense Contracting

The Basics of Government Contracting

Acquisition Central
Federal website with links to a variety of contracting information and resources.

State & Local Government Contracting

Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
Responsible for oversite of procurement in the State of Washington

Washington’s Electronic Business Solution
Register to receive notifications of contracting opportunities with the State of Washington

Contracting with the Port of Tacoma, Port of Everett, and Port of Seattle

Municipal Research and Services Center rosters
Small works, service, and vendor roster used by many local government entities throughout the state

Local Resources & Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist, and protect the interests of small businesses. The agency provides a variety of services and assistance through their field offices and partners.

Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center

The Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) works to give businesses the opportunity to thrive in the government-contracting marketplace. They provide no cost, confidential, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state, and local governments, as well as training and events for Washington businesses.

Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition

The Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC) is an association of Northwest defense and security industry businesses.  They provide defense-specific training, one-on-one counseling, business-to-business networking, and advocacy.

Minority Business Development Agency – Seattle

The MBDA Business Center is operated by the Seattle Business Assistance Center and works with minority business enterprises to provide ongoing, quality assistance through consulting services including management, marketing, finance, accounting, and other business areas, and are available for eligible minority businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council

The Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council (NW MTN MSDC) links major corporations and public agencies to minority-owned businesses through educational programming, corporate and MBE-to-MBE mentorship, and a partnership with the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.

Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington

The Export Finance Assistance Center of Washington (EFACW) provides free export finance advice and counseling assistance to small and medium sized exporters or prospective Washington State-based exporters through consultation services in payment risk mitigation and export finance including credit insurance, letters of credit, foreign exchange, Export-Import Bank and Small Business Administration export finance guaranty programs. EFACW also offers businesses information how to finance and get paid for their export sales and acts as a matchmaker for their banking relationship.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center offers free face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training for small business owners, on topics including, writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, technology development, and international trade.

Free Small Business Advice from SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

Schedule of Events

Visit our partner, WA PTAC, for a list of other upcoming events and workshops!