Government agencies and larger companies buy services through vendor processes. They want to see that a firm is real, registered and organized before they look at price.
The basics
- Capabilities statement: one page with services, experience, identifiers and contacts.
- Registrations: federal work generally requires an active registration in SAM.gov, which is free. States and many cities have their own vendor registrations.
- Identifiers: an EIN, the unique entity ID from SAM.gov and the NAICS codes that describe your services.
- Insurance certificates for the coverage buyers ask for.
- W-9 and banking details for vendor setup.
Certifications
Small, minority, woman or veteran-owned business certifications can open set-aside opportunities. Each program has its own requirements and application.
Start small
Subcontracting to an established prime contractor, or small purchases below formal bidding thresholds, are common first steps.
Keep it current
Registrations expire. Put every renewal on your calendar.
Our bid or no-bid checklist helps decide which opportunities to chase. See our own capabilities statement for an example.
General information. Confirm requirements with each agency or buyer.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
