How to Get Government Contracts

Part 4

How to Get on the RFP Notification Lists

Uncle Sam - along with thousands of state and local governments - wants to give you business!

But to get it, first you need to be on a few RFP (request for proposal) announcement lists.

Remember, the government is mandated to recruit small businesses. Since they're already looking for you, they should be easy to find. In fact, you have everything you need to find them right here!

Try these searches (results open in a new window):

"RFP myspecialty myarea" (don't use quote marks)
Example, "RFP administrative Seattle"

"request for proposal myspecialty myarea"

"government contracts myspecialty myarea"

Web www.ByMichaelRiley.com

Or you can find government contracts the old fashioned way: pull out the phone book, call up the agencies and ask. (Yes, it really IS that simple!)

Tip #1: Get on the snail mail lists of the specific buying offices likely to need your services. With agencies moving more toward using the Internet, this method of finding leads is changing, but for now it's still a viable option. Make sure to ask whether the agency uses physical or email for their bid lists and how to sign up.
Tip #2: Your company may meet the government's criteria for small and/or disadvantaged businesses, or women/minority-owned businesses. Follow their certification procedures - this will open even more doors for you.

Finding the bacon

Most agencies advertise RFPs for government contracts in local and trade papers 10-45 days before the bid date. They also send notices to businesses who have bid before, or are on their mailing list. Bid notices often appear in local papers in the classified section under "Legal Notices," or in the real estate section.

There are also online sources that will help hook you up with agencies in your region.

Next: Profiting As A Subcontractor

Also see: Getting Government Contracts - The 5 Basic Steps

back to part 3
return to beginning of article