How to Obtain a Government Contract

Federal and state governments offer billions of dollars to entrepreneurs. Learn to start contracting your products or services to a government agency.

Instructions

Step 1: Visit the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website Visit the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website run by the General Services Administration. Search their database to preview opportunities.
TIP: The GSA also offers opportunities to sell your products or services to the military through its Federal Acquisitions Service.
Step 2: Register your company info at the CCR database Register your company info at the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) online database. Get a CCR number.
Step 3: Apply for a DUNS number Apply for a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number at Dun & Bradstreet's website. DUNS is required for FBO database vendor registration.
Step 4: Enter your DUNS number at the FBO database Enter your nine-digit DUNS number at the FBO database for vendor registration. Then create a database password and enter your company's information.
TIP: Read the fbo.gov's Vendor Guide available at their website, especially for first-time government contractors.
Step 5: Search the FBO database for opportunities Search the FBO database for business opportunities. Click on an individual opportunity's link and read details of products or services requested.
TIP: Opportunity details can include the contract's maximum bid amount and the required time period of performance.
Step 6: Submit an electronic response Submit an electronic response if the opportunity includes a response link. Responses are typically entered via an online form or via a document upload. Click on an "interested vendors list" if the opportunity allows for this function. Click on "add me to interested vendors."
Step 7: Visit Business.gov for state opportunities Visit business.gov for links to state-specific vendor contracting agencies such as Georgia's Department of Administrative Services. Now you've tapped a whole new opportunity for your business.
FACT: Senator John McCain recently criticized the federal government for giving $1.8 million for a research project to study pig odors.