Tools for Business Success

Selling to the Government Steps to doing business with the government Look locally. Contact your city and county public works departments to find out how they publish bid opportunities. For state and national bid opportunities, get your business certified. Self-certifications: The federal government recognizes small businesses (SBE), women-owned (WBE), and disadvantaged (i.e. minority) businesses (SDB). The SBA has established two widely used size standards for small business: Fewer than 500 employees for most manufacturing and mining industries, and Less than $7 million in average annual receipts for most nonmanufacturing industries. There is no formal certification process, but on request, you need to provide proof that you satisfy the size and for WBE and SDB’s the ownership requirement. HUBZone businesses. If your business is located in a low-median income or high unemployment area, you may be eligible for preferential bidding on federal projects. There are no HUB zones in Clackamas County. For more information about HUBZone benefits and to find out if your business location is in a HUBZone, visit HUB zone information and map. SBA 8(a) program for minority businesses. The SBA 8(a) program provides direct help in obtaining federal contracts. Participants must have been in business at least 2 years and have non-businesss and non-home assets less than $250,000. For more information, visit SBA Business Development. To apply for the 8(a) program, visit SBA 8a application. US Department of Transportation recognizes veteran-owned small businesses. For more information, visit US DOT. Even if you are not certified, register on SAM. The federal government uses SAM (System for Award Management). You can register at SAM's website. Research registered businesses at SAM Search. Look for large opportunities and sign up for email notifications. Federal opportunities for $25,000 and more can be found at Federal Business Opportunities. Contract with State of Oregon at State Procurement Office. Look for sub-contracting opportunities. The government bid process can take six months. It is often faster to find sub-contracting opportunities with companies that have already received a government contract. SBA sub-contracting opportunities. Network and market your business to find opportunities under $25,000. All purchases under $100,000 are supposed to go to small business. Federal agencies use credit cards for purchases of $2,500 or less. For purchases between $2,500 and $25,000, they must obtain quotes from at least three vendors. Get help through PTAC or SBDC. PTACs (Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) provide free assistance in marketing products and services to government agencies. For free assistance with government contracting visit Oregon Business. The OAME (Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs) operates a clearinghouse of bid opportunities for minority, women, and emerging small businesses. Visit OAME for more information. In the right panel, you will find additional resources, including: Free and low cost assistance in government contracting Certification Selling to federal government Selling to state and local governments

Tools Home Ver en español Search within the Tools Navigation Back to Main Menu Everything Local! Business Planning and Assistance Funding Business Location and Tax Incentives Business Formation/Just Starting Out Government Requirements Employer Assistance Business and Employee Training Business Books Taking your Business to the Next Step Think Global (International trade) Marketing and Selling Selling to the Government Networking & Business Social Media Using Technology Green Business Practices Protecting your Business Tools for Tough Economic Times Disaster Planning and Recovery Manufacturing Women and Minority Resources for Veterans Youth in Business Agriculture Restaurants/Hospitality Business of Art Retail Health Industry Wood Industry Construction industry Food Industry Free and low-cost help with government contracting Free and low-cost assistance with government contracting Small Business Assistance for Department of Transportation Contracting Construction companies: Portland's Sheltered Market Program Small and minority certification  see more Oregon certifications for preferred government contracting Metro minority, women and emerging small business program Port of Portland Small Business Development Program MWESB Program from Portland Development Commission Women-owned Small Business Federal Contract Program Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Bonding Assistance Program Minority or disadvantaged business? SBA 8(a) Program Short-term minority/women loan program for federal transportation-related projects Selling to the federal government  see more Selling to the federal government Small business specialists for federal agencies Preferred purchasing if you are located in a HUB Zone Avoiding the bidding process Is your product environmentally friendly? Federal government's Bio-Preferred Program Indian Incentive Program when selling to the Department of Defense Once you have a contract: paperwork & certified payroll Selling to the state and local governments  see more Selling to the state of Oregon Bid Opportunities with the State Selling to the Port of Portland How to sell to Metro Bid opportunities with Clackamas County List your firm to do jobs for Oregon City Bid opportunities with Lake Oswego Doing business with Clackamas Co. Community College Selling to cities? Prevailing and livable wage