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Set-Aside Alert reported in our Nov. 30, 2018, edition on a study conducted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies: 'New Entrants and Small Business Graduation in the Market [...]

We've wrapped up fiscal year 2019, and the scuttlebutt is that it's been a good year for small business federal contractors. Opinions are floating around, but we won't know the [...]

It's the end of fiscal 2019 and about to be the beginning of fiscal 2020. Wow-time flies when you're having fun, right? Hope you've had a great year of contracting [...]

A new calendar year is upon us! It's the perfect time to update your government paperwork, SAM (System for Award Management) and DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search) listings, contracting reports [...]

Frankly, I am concerned about federal contract spending this fiscal year, and in particular, about federal contracting with small businesses. The data show a 6% decrease in small business opportunities [...]

The pace of new set-aside opportunities typically starts to rise at this point in the federal fiscal year, and fiscal 2018 is no different. About a month ago we were [...]

It's that time of year again when the major agencies are required to post their forecasts for procurements anticipated in the coming year. Section 8(a) 12(C) of the Small Business [...]

As we wrap up fiscal 2017 and look into fiscal 2018, there are a number of clouds on the horizon. Earlier this year a number of small business owners anticipated [...]

In the June 9 issue, we discussed some of the factors you should consider before embarking on a search for a mentor. First among these factors is establishing your objectives [...]

Interest in mentor-protege programs is growing significantly. After only eight months, more than 180 companies have set up mentor-protege agreements under SBA's new All-Small Mentor-Protege Program. There is still substantial [...]

Here we are, just a few days after April Fool's Day, and it's already time to gear up for fiscal-yearend. Start working now to get ahead of the torrent of [...]

The Federal Business Opportunities website--FBO.gov or FedBizOpps--claims to be the 'single point of access' for all federal procurements. We know that is not quite true, but there is little question [...]

We often hear the phrase, If it's in FedBizOpps, it's too late,' but we shouldn't always believe it. There are numerous situations where it is very profitable to bid on [...]

Looking to expand your Federal marketing base? Are you anxious to target new prospects in the government sphere? Small business executives usually focus sales and marketing efforts on the major [...]

The 'Rule of Two' has a well-established place in federal contracting. Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 19.502-2(a) states: 'Each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding [...]

Do you provide products or services that federal agencies need when there is an emergency? Do you provide temporary labor services or trucking, construction, water, food, mobile home rental, environmental [...]

There are many reasons for teaming up with other companies to pursue federal contracts. Perhaps you cannot meet all the requirements by yourself. Perhaps your current strategy is to seek [...]

We often make the point that the federal market is very transparent. Opportunities are published openly, as are contract awards. Acquisition regulations are available to anyone. What we often do [...]

Wouldn't it be great if you could identify key contract opportunities before they appear in FedBizOpps? You could prepare in advance, get your team put together, line up the right [...]

An essential tool in the small business federal contractor tool kit is the Capabilities Statement. Every federal small business specialist and contracting professional expects you to have one. If you've [...]

Looking for the inside scoop on information technology projects in federal departments? It's all there in front of your nose (sort of). Each agency chief information officer is responsible for [...]

A readily-available market intelligence tool is often overlooked by small business owners. Every federal department and major agency is required to publish an acquisition plan or forecast for the fiscal [...]

New developments in the General Services Administration's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract arena are having real impacts on the federal market. Programs such as the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) [...]

Selling in the federal arena has several advantages over the commercial sales world. The first advantage is that there are well-publicized proposal and bidding rules that help the buyer and [...]

Most federal contractors are aware that while contracting officers execute the acquisition process, it is the federal agency executives and program managers who identify the needs and manage the money. [...]

The end of the year is an excellent time to check up on your government contracting systems, reports and processes in federal databases. Here are some checks and updates you [...]

Most business owners don't like to have their government competing with them, but sometimes there are benefits that flow both ways. Laws designate specific products and services to be sourced [...]

Government contracting is an intense business. Proposal due dates are tight. Arcanely-written specifications must be met. Deliverables must be on time. Payments never are. Claims documentation is a nightmare. But, [...]

AbilityOne is a federal government program to assist blind and severely handicapped individuals to make a living with their own talents and capabilities. It is important to you because federal [...]

About 10% of all federal government purchases are contracted through the GSA multiple-award schedule process. This includes all kinds of products and services that are commonly bought and sold in [...]

As suppliers, we are told over and over that all federal opportunities valued at $25,000 or more appear on FedBizOpps. Is this truly the case? And what about opportunities under [...]

We all know that the federal government posts all of its requirements valued at $25,000 or more to the FedBizOpps.gov website, right? But there are numerous other places to find [...]

The fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 is coming to a close and it's time to gear up for 2014. The first day of October will be here before you know [...]

We always hear that Uncle Sam buys everything. We also know that (almost) all opportunities are posted on FedBizOpps. Why can't I find mine? GSA Schedule Contracts Many, many commonly-used [...]

Whether it's year-end, or any other time during the year, you need to be on top of the federal market. The best way to do that is to have the [...]

Just last Friday, small business took another sucker punch in the gut. Congress couldn't get its act together, so they dribbled another three months of funds to the transportation program. [...]

Three leading industry-watchers--epipeline, Synchris and Set-Aside Alert--joined forces to analyze the major trends in the small business federal market. With the controversy regarding Katrina and Iraq contracts going to large [...]