As we learned in the previous module, one of the best ways to partner with Primes on government contracts is to register in their Vendor/Supplier Portal. In the same way, Federal Departments and Agencies also have their own registration portals where you can advertise your services, network with contracting officers, and get on procurement vehicles where the government can award contracts without the need for bidding. By signing up with the agencies that are spending the most money in your industry your business becomes eligible for additional opportunities that are unavailable through traditional bidding websites like SAM.gov and PIEE. 

Our team will register your business with a Federal Department or Agency of your choice. If you do not know which entity is the right one for you, we will work with you to identify the best fit by researching which agencies are awarding the most contracts and spending the most money based on your NAICS Codes and Geographic area. By working with your Select GCR advisor you’ll be eligible to bid on unique opportunities in communities with a consistent demand for businesses like yours. 

We recommend searching for the Departments and Agencies that are routinely requesting the products or services that you sell. Use sites like Select GCR Pro or USA Spending to determine which federal groups are buying your products most frequently. You can do this by searching for your NAICS Codes, product or service keywords, geographic area, and Set-Asides (if applicable). From there, you’ll be able to see a list of the top contractors and agencies. 

• Does it take on a clear challenge? 

• Is it relevant to the target market? 

• Does it address key strategic priorities? 

Start by searching government agency websites for OSDBU, SADBU, or Small Business Liaison. If there is not a clearly labeled section try searching independently for [Department/Agency Name] OSDBU, [Department/Agency Name] SADBU, or [Department/Agency Name] small business liaison. 

Additionally, Select Pro has links to and information for the majority of agencies and their contacts for you to use. Simply input your desired department or agency into the Search field. From there you will see a list of important links directly from the Agency. Click on the link next to the word SADBU, and you’ll be taken directly to that agency’s dedicated website for their OSDBU representative. 

We will use the Department of Energy (DoE) as a reference to explore the key benefits of signing up with an OSDBU.  

Individual Agencies and Departments will often have streamlined methods to award contracts to Pre-Approved Vendors. These Procurement Vehicles are designed specifically to award contracts to small and set-aside businesses without the need for complicated bidding processes or competition from larger companies. 

OSDBU’s regularly host events for small businesses to network with other Primes, federal decision makers, contracting officers, department heads, and other small businesses that are getting started in the contracting world. These events can be purely educational and informative, or function more as an Expo or conference where businesses get to show up and advertise their services to prospective government buyers. 

While it is not technically an OSDBU the GSA also hosts a number of events and conferences for businesses to take advantage of. We highly recommend finding any events in your area (or virtual) and attending them to build your network and learn from experts in both the commercial and government sectors. 

Before we begin the next module, work with your team to complete the following items.