Small Business Government Contracts

Malyszek & Malyszek is one of the few Government Contract law firms in the country that exclusively practice Federal Government Contract matters. We focus on every aspect of contracting with the U.S. federal government.

Small businesses interested in pursuing federal contracts have many options available to represent their company to possible buyers, to research the federal marketplace for opportunities, and to understand the competition. To prepare your business for federal contracting breaks, it is important for you to understand these resources.

If you are ready to begin bidding on federal contracts, it is essential to submit your business profile to the primary database that federal agencies use to locate contractors. Agencies can search for your business based on several aspects, including size, capabilities, experience, location, and ownership. To send your business résumé to the government, register a business profile with the System for Award Management (SAM).

The SBA set up a total of nearly four hours of training on how to compete for federal government contracts—with panelists including contractors, SBA officials, and those who recruit subcontractors for the country's largest companies.

Various government agencies institute government-wide contracts which simplify the procurement process for federal agencies by allowing them to obtain a vast arrangement of products and services directly from commercial suppliers.

The largest government-wide contracts are recognized by the U.S. General Services Administration under its GSA Schedules Program. State and local governments use the GSA schedules for purchasing goods and services, so becoming a GSA schedule contractor can be favorable at all levels of government. Learn more about the program and find out how your small business can get on a GSA Schedule.

So your business has been granted a contract from the government—it is the result of hard work; however, there is still more work to be done. It is a significant responsibility because if you can’t perform according to the terms of the contract, the government will not get the product or service it needs and you may find yourself in financial difficulty.

The reporting requirements are very different and small business set-aside contracts will limit the amount you can subcontract, the types of products you may provide, and how you cooperate with other firms. Federal contracts are extremely different from commercial contracts, and government contracts usually have much longer lead times.

Part of your research should involve finding out which agencies buy the goods or services your small business provides. These rules sometimes help small businesses: if two or more small businesses are prepared to compete for a contract, and can meet the government’s requirements at a reasonable price, the government will limit competition to only small businesses.

With over 40 years of experience in government contract law, Malyszek & Malyszek can help you to understand these complex processes and procedures. Call us today for a free initial consultation.