8 2. Register your business with the System of Award
DOING BUSINESS WITH THE DC DOING BUSINESS GUIDE 2018/2019 85
LOCAL & FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Management (SAM). SAM.gov is the primary
database of vendors doing business with the Federal
Government; vendor registration with SAM is
required prior to the awarding of a contract. SAM
is also a marketing tool for businesses, allowing
Government agencies and contractors to search for
your company based on your ability, size, location,
experience, and ownership.
3. Find the NAICS codes for your company. You
may also find that you need a North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for
administrative, contracting and tax purposes. The
code classifies the economic sector, industry, and
country of your business. For federal contracting
purposes, you will need to identify in SAM all the
NAICS codes (industries) applicable to your business.
4. Obtain Past Performance Evaluations. Businesses
interested in getting on the US General Services
Administration (GSA) Schedule for longterm,
Governmentwide contracts should obtain a Dun &
Bradstreet Past Performance Evaluation at
bit.ly/ppeval. This tool conducts an independent
audit of customer references and calculates a
rating based upon a statistical analysis of various
performance data and survey responses.
Below are some of the items that you will need in order to
complete the registration processes.
Your NAICS codes
Your Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S)
Your Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN or EIN)
Your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes
Your Product Service codes (optional but useful)
Your Federal Supply Classification codes
(optional but useful)
SEEKING CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
Visit FBO.gov often, and register there to be notified
of newly posted opportunities. FBO.gov lists all open
contracting opportunities over $25,000 across the
Federal Government.
Consider partnering with a prime contractor. Working
with a prime contractor is the fastest way to begin.
Subcontracting is the most popular partnering tool. It is
an excellent way to test the waters of federal business
without exposure to undue risk.
Browse the GSA Subcontracting Directory at
gsa.gov/subdirectory for opportunities to subcontract
with existing GSA prime contractors.
Visit “Explore Government Contracting” at
business.usa.gov to browse open Federal Government
contracting opportunities and to help figure out which are
right for your business.
NEW, STREAMLINED SYSTEM
SAM.gov gov has combined federal procurement systems
and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into
one new streamlined system that includes the Central
Contractor Registry, Federal Agency Registration, Online
Representations and Certifications Application, and Excluded
Parties List System.
DC GOVERNMENT
CONTRACTING
The Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) invites
all businesses to take the required steps to do business with
the District of Columbia Government. Vendors interested in
doing business with the District should:
1. ATTEND A GENERAL VENDOR WORKSHOP
Each month, OCP in conjunction with the DSLBD, hosts a
General Vendor Workshop to discuss how to do business
with the District. In these sessions, vendors learn the
requirements for doing business with the District, the
procurement process, and ask any questions they may
have. In addition to the General Vendor Workshop, OCP
also hosts a monthly workshop specifically for vendors
interested in the DC Supply Schedule (DCSS), a set-aside
market for registered Certified Business Enterprises in the
District. At these sessions, vendors are given an overview
of the DC Supply Schedule and its application process.
Call (202) 724-4477 or visit bit.ly/dcvendorworkshop for
more information.
/SAM.gov
/SAM.gov
/FBO.gov
/FBO.gov
/subdirectory
/business.usa.gov