Winning Government ProjectGovernment procurement is truly a very taxing endeavor. The process of winning a government contract takes a lot of time, talent, and treasure from anyone who dreams about it. So many small business owners really go through so many twists and turns, and of course, a lot of waiting time just so they could have the chance to make their businesses flourish more.
There are even instances when these striving entrepreneurs literally go to greater heights of effort just to be considered for the government contract. This includes investigating the decision-makers of the specific government agency they want to serve and even “court” them, trying to please them, so that the business concerned would be readily chosen for the government contract.
Disadvantaged businesspeople go through this dilemma most of the time, because, they ARE disadvantaged. Being women or members of a minority group add much more hardships and obstacles when it comes to landing that government contract.
With this considered, disadvantaged small businesses should consider the following helpful points in order to win the coveted government contract/project:
 Acquire SBA HUBZone certification. This special SBA program focuses on disadvantaged small businesses that have been maintaining their business in various locations in the country. For disadvantaged business owners to have the HubZone certification, they have to make sure that they qualify. They should be maintaining branches of their office or brand in scattered areas so that these scattered offices may be called “underutilized business zones”. Also, 35% of their employees should be living in depressed areas of the state. When your small business is SBA Hubzone certified, you will be able to gain a larger advantage in winning a government contract.
 Council certified. In order to get the advantageous certification, you have to either declare that 51% of your small business is woman-, disabled- or veteran-owned, apply this under WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council).
 More than one certification. For your small business to be considered for a government contract, you have to gain all the available certifications that you could get your hand on like Hubzone and SBA-8A. These certifications will tell the government agencies that you really qualify for the project at hand.
 Be a subcontractor first. Before you actually get to win a federal contract, you should accumulate enough experience in a government project first. You can do this by being a subcontractor. You should work under a small business that is actually under a government contract. You can do this by going to “business matchmaking” events spearheaded by SBA.
 Have someone teach you. In becoming a subcontractor for a company that already won a government contract, you should be able to access valuable information on the processes that involve federal procurement. This is WIPP & American Express OPEN’s “Give Me Five” or SBA’s mentor/protégé program that both work effectively.

Landing that all-important government contract makes you either hopeful or hopeless especially when you are a disadvantaged small business owner. All you have to do is follow the given tips so that you may have a real, potent chance at serving the federal government with your service or products.

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