Do you run a construction company and you want to get contracts? If YES, here are 20 tips on how and where to get big federal government construction contracts.
If you are in the construction business, one of the ways of scaling up your revenue is to become a federal government contractor. This is because the federal government of any country happens to be the largest client when it comes to construction.
It is on record that in the united states of America, the construction industry in 2014 generated around $960 billion in annual revenue according to statistics tracked by the Census Bureau. As far back as 2005, there are about 667,000 registered construction firms in the United States employing 1 million contractors and the average contractor had no fewer than 10 employees.
In general, the construction industry in the United States of America employed an estimated 5.8 million people in April 2013 and about 828,000 women were employed in the construction industry in 2011. No doubt, the construction industry is a major employer of labor in the United States of America and in most countries of the world.
Interestingly, federal spending is on the increase and that automatically means great opportunity for government contractors.
So, if you are interested in getting federal government construction contracts in the United States of America or in any country of your choice, then you might want to read through these 20 tips on how and where to get federal government construction contracts.
20 Tips on How and Where to Get Big Federal Government Construction Contracts
- Visit Federal Ministry of Works or Public Works Department
Getting a construction contract from the federal government of your country requires that you know where to go. Irrespective of the country that you are interested in securing a construction contract, your first port of call is to visit the federal ministry of works or Public Works Department (PWD) to make enquiries on the processes involved in securing a license and all other permits.
- Register Your Business with the Central Contractor Registration Database (CCR)
If you are interested in doing business with the government of any country, the norm is that you should register your business with the appropriate authority. In the United States of America, if you want to do business directly with the U.S. Government, your company needs to be registered with the Central Contractor Registration database. So, a practical tip that will help you get federal government construction contracts is to register your business with the central contractor registration database (CCR).
- Look for Professional Relationships and Networks to Join
In every industry or line of business, there are professional bodies or networks that are influential when it comes to winning contract and it is same for federal government construction contracts. All you have to do is to look for such professional relationships and networks to join. You might have to meet up with some requirements before you can be admitted into such influential networks.
- Hire the Services of Professional Lobbyists/Professional Organizer Businesses
When it comes to where to go to in order to get federal government construction contracts, you can visit any professional lobbyists or professional organizer businesses. In the United States of America, they are highly influential when it comes to securing contracts from the government.
The professional organizations industry comprises of lobbyists and organizations that are basically engaged in promoting the professional interest of their members and their profession as a whole. These organizations also conduct research, develop statistics and certification standards, lobby or publish materials for their members.
- Make Use of the Accepted Tender Templates and Follow Through Tender Instructions
Another tip that will help you secure federal government construction contracts is to make sure you use the accepted tender templates when bidding for a construction contract and also you must be diligent in following through the tender instructions as stipulated by the government agencies issuing out the contract. The truth is that, no matter how qualified and prepared you are as regard executing construction contracts, if you fail to comply with the laid down rules, you will be disqualified.
- Carryout Detailed Research and feasibility studies Before Bidding
If you have been given the go-ahead to submit a tender for a federal government construction contract, you will do your organization a whole world of good by making sure that you conduct your due diligence before drafting and submitting your tender. With that, it will be easier for you to be on same page with the current realities on ground. If not, you might likely give quotations that are off the benchmark or lower than the benchmark.
- Be Concise, Clear and Compelling When Bidding for a Construction Contract
When a government agency calls for construction companies to tender bids for construction projects, it is normal to receive loads of tenders hence the need for them to only look out for the best. So what is expected of you to do is to ensure that you are concise, clear and compelling when drafting you tender.
Just ensure that your documents are clear and brief and you add visuals such as diagrams, graphs, or illustrations that will help the board easily understand your tender and what is expected from you when you win the contract.
- Be Part of the Early Birds When Submitting Your Tender
Another sure-fire tip that will help you get federal government construction contracts is to make sure that you do all you can to be amongst the first set of organizations to submit your tender. The truth is that even if the federal government agency calling for tender gives a deadline date, they usually have in mind the numbers of bid they will receive before the cut off day.
Say for example if the cut – off date for submission of tender is 28th February, if by 18th February they have gotten the required tenders they want to handle, they will likely not accommodate more even if you submit before 28th February.
- Make Use of Estimating Software to Get Accurate Quotations
Winning a federal government construction contract is all about meeting the expectations of the government agency issuing out the contract and part of what you need to do is to be accurate in your quotations. In order to be accurate with your quotations, it is advisable that you make use of a construction estimating software like Cubit.
As a matter of fact, this is one software that is widely used in the industry to create accurate budgets and estimates. It will be out of place not to make use of the needed software apps in this digital age. Trust me, you don’t want to submit tenders that guess prices or provide vague estimates. If you do that, you will not be taken seriously.
- Visit The Appropriate Government Websites for Government Database
Another practical tip that you should consider if you want to get federal government construction contracts is to make sure that you visit the appropriate government website or database. The truth is that every single government contract going out for bid is supposed to be listed on www.fbo.gov. If you keep tabs with this website, you will be able to come across construction contracts that you are qualified for and be prompt in bidding for such contracts.
- Attend Government and Industrial Events
When you attend government and industrial events, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the powers that be when it comes to awarding federal government contracts. Here are some useful sites to explore for upcoming federal government events; GovWin, GovEvents, and GovMark Council et al. Just ensure that you are well prepared and you go with your business card and with the mind to network with key personalities.
- Ensure to Tender at a Competitive Price
When bidding for a construction contract from the government, ensure that you tender at a competitive price that will be irresistible. That does not mean that you should not project to make profits. In order to tender at a competitive price, these factors must be considered when writing up a budget – company research, market intelligence, competitor insights, as well as your own internal financial constraints. You can as well look for Software for builders. It makes it easier to get accurate and competitive prices when bidding.
- Project Your Competitive Advantages
Another practical tip on how to get federal government construction contracts that you should consider is to project your competitive advantages with every given opportunity. You will be competing against other equally qualified organizations so you must ensure that you put up your best.
- Become Friends with an Insider
In every department that issues out construction contracts, there are insiders who have the right information that you might need to be ahead of your competitors. So, part of what you need to do in order to get government construction contracts is to ensure that you warm your way through an insider in the department where you are sourcing for contract. Preferably, target an influential staff or government official that can influence things in your favor.
- Make Sure You Attach All the Required Documents
If you are looking towards getting federal government construction contracts, then part of the tips that you should take seriously is to attach all the required documents as requested. Some of the reasons why some tenders are not considered is because they did not submit some documents as requested. Some of the documents that you should look towards submitting are tax clearance/tax returns, business license, business permits and company’s profile amongst others.
- Get Assistance from SBA Officials
Another tip on how to get federal government construction contracts is to look for assistance from SBA officials. This tip is particularly useful for those who run small construction companies or only have the capacity to carry out small construction contracts.
The truth is that, SBA’s local Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) is a vital government resource that can give leverage to small business owners looking towards working for the government. SBA’s local Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) also provide services that include training, counseling and business matchmaking events.
As a matter of fact, at the National Small Business Week, the SBA set up nearly four hours of training on how to compete for federal government contracts—with panelists including top SBA officials, contractors, and those who recruit subcontractors for the country’s largest companies—companies that do a lot of government business. To get the process started, visit the nearest SBA’s local Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) in your county or local government.
- Make Use of the Right References and Testimonials
As a construction contractor, most likely, you would have worked with several organizations and individuals who should be part of your references and testimonials. No doubt, not all your references and testimonials can be suitable for certain tender.
So part of the tips that you need if you want to bid and get a federal government construction contracts is to ensure that you make use of the most suitable references and testimonials for each of the tenders you are submitting. For example, if you are bidding to construct a bridge, it will be appropriate to make use of references of the bridge you have constructed in time past.
- Work with a Government Mentor
Working with a government mentor especially as a boarding construction contractor is another practical tip that you should consider if you want to get federal government construction contracts. In the United States of America, the federal government operates two notable mentor programs that can help you get access to contracts.
First is the GSA Mentor-Protégé Program. Open to qualified small businesses, this program helps connect small firms with more experienced ones. The program’s objective is motivating larger companies to lend their knowledge to smaller, less experienced businesses.
Another option is the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. Open to socially and economically disadvantaged businesses that qualify for SBA’s 8(a) program, this program pairs you with a mentor who has had success in federal contracting.
- Make Use of Time Management Software for Builders
Making use of tome management software for builders is yet another important tip that you should consider when bidding for federal government construction contracts. The truth is that accurate or near accurate time projection and proper time management is essential to the success of your bid.
One good thing about time management software for builders is that it assists in keeping to a strict schedule, allowing you to set your own deadlines, keep on top of the workload, and allow time to dispatch your tender early.
- Dot Your I’s and Cross Your T’s
Another major tip that you should not take for granted if you want to get a federal government construction contract is to ensure that you thoroughly check your tender for spelling and grammatical errors and ensure that you sign all components of the tender documents that require signature.
As a matter of fact, one of the most common tender mistakes is failing to sign sections, or signing bids incorrectly. Some companies have strict instructions for signatures, including initialing adjustments, supplying signatures from witnesses, or signing across entire pages of documentation.
Check everything is signed correctly before submitting your tender. Ensure that you painstakingly look for spelling and grammatical errors, and try reading out loud to reveal sections that need revised. You can hire a proofreader or professional editor to help you do this.