WIPP's myContracting Magazine July 2014 | Page 6

www.wipp.org

Give us your top THREE tips for success in federal contracting.

1.You will make mistakes and historically, small businesses have always had challenges with access to capital. Now that you know, you no longer have excuses to be paralyzed.

2.Write down three agencies you want to partner with and start doing searches on resources such as FedBizOpps to find the decision makers. Then do three things….Call, email, and show up. Count how many times you need to get rejected before someone says “Yes.” Once you know that number, it’s just a matter of getting to it on a consistent basis.

3. Teaming is critical for small businesses. Know what you’re good at and work with others that
are experts at what you’re not, or have something you don’t.

What do you wish you knew

when you entered federal

contracting that

would have saved you

time and money?

There is often a

lot of time between

“Award” and “NTP”

(Notice to Proceed).

We spent a lot of money on staffing in preparation for our first federal project awards. And then we waited and waited and waited for NTP. The risk is great if you’re not prepared, but there are things you can do to keep your overhead costs manageable.

1. Ask the Contracting Officer how long it normally takes with similar size and scope projects to

get to NTP

2.Have your submittals ready at the Preconstruction Meeting if possible

3. Hire individuals that can fulfill dual roles such as Project Manager/Estimator;

Superintendent/Quality Control Manager; Project Administrator/Proposal Coordinator

WANT TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT?

To be considered for the Contractor

Spotlight you must be a WIPP National Partner and an active federal contractor.

To apply online, click here today.

Trish and Lynn accepting their

2013 WIPP Public Policy Award