Author: Noah King

The difference between state and federal certifications is that the state certification (more commonly known as the SBE Certification) is given out by state and local government. Federal Certifications (such as WOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, and 8(a) Minority Owned) are specifically those who plan to do business with the federal government.

The federal government allocates 23% of contracting dollars to those who are a Small Business according to the SBA’s Size Standards. Additionally, those companies that qualify for Set-Aside Certifications will have the opportunity to be award no-bid contracts.

USBRI has been offering assistance for Federal Registrations and Certifications since 2013. If you are looking to begin your journey in federal contracting, do not hesitate to reach out to the USBRI Help Desk at 1-888-646-9998 and a CRS will be able to help you with any questions you may have.

A SAM Registration is required for all businesses looking to be contracted by the federal government. If you are unsure if your business has a SAM Registration, use the SAM Search Tool by clicking the button below.

 

Understanding the Joint Certification Program (JCP)

The Joint Certification Program (JCP) is vital for businesses seeking access to unclassified military technical data. Here’s a concise breakdown of what it is, who qualifies, and how to apply.

What is the JCP?

• Certifies U.S. and Canadian entities to access unclassified military technical data.
• Ensures data protection from adversaries while supporting legitimate needs.
• Governed by U.S. DOD and Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) regulations.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for JCP certification, your organization must:

• Be a U.S. or Canadian entity.
• Have an active SAM Registration and CAGE/NCAGE code.
• Complete a NIST cybersecurity assessment (SP 800-171) and upload results to SPRS.
• Meet DFAR Clause 252.204-7012 requirements for safeguarding information.

Why Apply for JCP Certification?

• Access technical data for DOD solicitations or research.
• Attend defense-related conferences or collaborate on R&D projects.
• Support contracts as a prime or subcontractor.

Benefits of Certification

• Streamlined access to export-controlled technical data.
• Compliance with DOD and DND security protocols.
• Eligibility for broader defense contract opportunities.

For an easy access to the guide: https://unitedstatesbusinessregistration.us/JCP-Guide-DLA.pdf

USBRI has been helping businesses of all structure types to register for Federal Registrations and Certifications since 2011. Contact the USBRI Help Desk by calling 1-888-646-9998 and a live CRS will be able to assist you and tell you more.

If you are unsure if you are registered in SAM, use the SAM Lookup Tool by clicking below

 

How To Get Started in Federal Contracting

Step 1: Get Your Business Registered in SAM

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the U.S. Federal Governments portal for determining where contracting dollars are going, to who, and for what. Any business or sole proprietor looking to do work or provide a service for the Federal Government MUST be registered in SAM. This registration ensures that you’re recognized as a legitimate federal contractor, allowing you to be seen by agencies searching for vendors.

Step 2: Determine Your Small Business Size Standards and NAICS Codes

The SBA (Small Business Administration) has many opportunities for Small Businesses to obtain and win contracts. 25% of federal contracting dollars are allocated annually to Federally Certified Small Businesses. Below are five of the SBA’s Small Business Size Standards:

• Must be considered a small business by SBA standards
• Must have listed the proper NAICS codes in SAM Registration
• Must not surpass average annual revenue based on NAICS codes
• Must not surpass number of employees based on NAICS codes

Step 3:  Obtain your Federal Small Business Certification

With your SAM Registration in place and your Small Business eligibility determined, have a CRS help you fill out your DSBS, SBA, and Small Business Profiles to be reached out directly by prime contractors.

Step 4: Bid and Win Contracts!

Once you have done the above steps, you are on your way to government contracting. Ask your CRS for more details on bidding and winning federal contracting.

If you are unsure if you have a SAM Registration, use the SAM & UEI Status Lookup Tool by clicking the button below.

How to Get Government Contracts as a Small Business

1. Get Registered in SAM
   Have a CRS (Certified Registration Specialist) help with registering your business in the federal governments portal for contracting payments, System for Award Management (SAM), which is required to bid on federal contracts. Getting your SAM Registration compliant and active is essential for small businesses to get federal contracts.
2. Identify Your NAICS Codes
   Find the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that best describe your business services. Government agencies use these codes to categorize and search for businesses within specific industries. Using accurate NAICS codes helps your business appear in relevant searches for contracts.
3. Understand Your Eligibility
   Check if your business qualifies as a “small business” according to the SBA size standards. Some contracts are reserved for specific business types, like HUBZone, WOSB, VOSB, and 8(a), so research your eligibility for set-aside programs. This can increase your chances of landing contracts.
4. Research Contract Opportunities
   Browse federal contract marketplaces, like SAM, to find opportunities that align with your business’s services. You can filter searches by set-aside type, location, and more to find contracts suited to your qualifications. Sign up for email alerts to stay updated on new opportunities in your field.
5. Prepare Essential Documents
   Gather documents like past performance, financial statements, and relevant certifications that might be required during the proposal process. Certain contracts may require specific certifications, like HUBZone, WOSB, or VOSB, so make sure you’re certified in any applicable set-aside categories. Having organized documents saves time when applying.
6. Submit a Competitive Proposal
   Write a clear, concise proposal that highlights your capabilities, past experience, and unique advantages. Tailor your proposal to meet the specific needs and requirements outlined in the contract opportunity. Make sure your pricing is competitive and within industry standards.
7. Follow Up and Network
   After submission, follow up to check the status of your proposal if allowed and stay connected with contracting officers. Attend government contracting events or networking opportunities to build relationships with agency representatives. Networking can give you valuable insights into upcoming contract needs and requirements.
8. Stay Compliant and Renew SAM and Federal Certifications
   Stay compliant with contract terms and make sure to renew any certifications that require update such as set-aside recertification’s or your annual SAM Registration Renewal. Ongoing compliance and certification renewals keep your business eligible for future contracts. This also boosts your credibility and helps establish a good reputation with government agencies.

To check the status of your SAM Registration as well as seeing if you qualify for the Federal Small Business Certification, use the tools by clicking either button below.

The 8(a) Business Development Program has been a major success for those US based small businesses that have joined this SBA program. The benefits, resources and opportunities accessible to it’s program members are untouchable when compared to any other small business certification or program.

The first step in becoming certified would be to complete and have an active System for Award Management (SAM) Registration in place with at least 6 months of validity left prior to expiring. Then of course you would want to create and optimize your DSBS Profile, SBA Profile, Capabilities Statement, and any other registration or profile that pertains to your industry and/or business itself.

Once you begin the 8(a) Program certification application process, it normally takes about 3-6 months to reach completion. The application process is quite tedious and must be completed with full accuracy and without errors. Submitting an application with any errors or omissions will delay the approval of said application by at least another 2-3 months.

The Office of Government Contracting and Business Development does have a Help Desk that 8(a) Program applicants can call for assistance regarding any issues, obstacles or technical problems that arise during the application process iteself. And yes, there will be many.

The Office of Government Contracting & Business Development’s Help Desk is ONLY available on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2pm to 3pm EST. The phone number to call is 202-765-1264.

USBRI was established in 2011 to provide the level and type of assistance that most businesses need in order to successfully complete this certification and reap the benefits of having said certification actively in place. This also include attending to and updating all the other remaining profiles, platforms, registrations, capabilities statements, narrative statements, FEMA/SEMA (if applicable) and whereever else your business information is presented to Contracting Officers and Prime Vendors for directly awarding contracts and subcontracting opportunities.