I own a small business with two partners in the suburbs of Chicago, IL
which has a main business focus of communication technologies
(computer networking, radio systems, satellite communications, and
phone systems).  I would like to obtain a communications services
contract with the U.S. Department of Defense and I haven't the
slightest clue of even where to start although the three of us all
have extensive experience in working on Defense contracts for other
companies.I wish to know both where I can find the listings for U.S.
defense contracts and also the step by step process of submitting a
bid for these contracts.  I would like to know how to register
properly to become a possible government vendor, exactly how I need to
prepare the package to be submitted, it's format, and how exactly I go
about submitting our bid for one of these contracts.  I would like
this to be in layman's terms that is laid out in a very easy to
understand manner, also the more details the better. Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 15 Nov 2004 04:26 PST

resii-ga,

No one has ever figured out how to simply and reasonably explain
federal government contract opportunities, and the process to obtain
them.

Your best bet may well be to contact the Small Business Administration
in your local area -- they should be able to hook you up with a mentor
or a federal contracts specialist who can walk you through the
process:


http://www.sba.gov/regions/states.html


Good luck.

pafalafa-ga

Resiii --

Each of the DoD agencies has its own acquisition centers that handle
contracting.  For example, if you want to get involved with the Air
Force, the Air Force Computer Acquisition Center is one of the primary
contracting locations (though bases may do some contracting on their
own); with the Navy it's the Washington Naval Yard.  Here's a resource
for you, but Pafalafa's right -- simple does not apply here:
http://www.ntsc.navy.mil/Resources/Library/Acqguide/Acqguide.htm

Contract formatting itself is an extremely detailed topic.  It's not
difficult once you've been through the process once or twice and the
acquisition agencies can be extremely helpful but you've got a
learning curve to climb.

You might consider a government contracting workshop or hiring someone
with experience.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

I think the scope of your business should also let you provide
services to NATO and UN. You can compete in the NATO Security
Investment Program (NSIP) and other NATO-funded programs tailored to
meet NATO's infrastructure requirements.

NATO Security Investment Program projects normally are contracted
under the principle of international competitive bidding (ICB).
Detailed procedures on this subject are available in North Atlantic
Council Document AC/4D/2261, Procedures for International Competitive
Bidding for Commonly Financed NSIP Works, (1996 Edition).

Information on projects considered to be worthwhile and competitive to
U.S. firms is sent to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Department
of Commerce makes this information available primarily through
announcements in Commerce Business Daily (CBD) and through the Trade
Opportunities Program (TOP).

The United Nations Procurement Division (UN/PD) serves as the central
procurement office for UN peacekeeping/field missions, the UN
Secretariat in New York, and certain UN regional commissions and
tribunals. The address is:
 
United Nations Procurement Division
United Nations Headquarters
304 East 45th Street
New York, New York 10017
Tel: (212) 963-8952
Fax: (212) 963-3503
E-mail: registry@un.org
Internet: www.un.org/Depts/ptd

Additional help available at http://unbiz.un.int/ and http://www.devbusiness.com/

You may also contact:

International Government Procurement Opportunities
U.S. Department of Commerce
Trade Compliance Center
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-1191
E-mail: tcc@ita.doc.gov
Internet: www.mac.doc.gov/tcc/TCC2/igp/igp_orgs.htm