Important URL’sThe following URL's are important web sites to be aware
of for federal acquisition purposes. Included are some comments on the sites to
help you understand their purpose. Each link below will open in a new browser
window. Many more business related web sites, both government and non-government,
are listed in Appendix 3 of our book. Federal Government Product and Service
codes Use the web sites below to find appropriate codes. The FSC code is the first four digits
of the 13 digit National Stock Number (NSN) that is used to identify categories
of supplies and equipment. This code is important for inventorying items in the
federal supply system. North American
Industrial Classification codes The SBA uses
this code to classify a business as a small business. When included in a company
profile it helps the government determine if there are a sufficient number of
small businesses available to set the requirement aside for small business bidding
only. Supplies or equipment company sizes are determined based on the average
number of employees over a 12-month period. Service company sizes are determined
based upon the average annual sales over the previous three years. Back
to top Vendor coding Use the
web sites below to find appropriate codes. The government automatically
assigns the CAGE Code when a company registers in CCR. The CAGE Code is a five-position
code that identifies contractors doing business with the Federal Government, NATO
member nations, and other foreign governments. The CAGE Code is used to support
a variety of mechanized systems throughout the government and provides for a standardized
method of identifying a given facility at a specific location. The code may be
used for a facility clearance, a pre-award survey, automated bidders lists, identification
of debarred bidders, fast pay processes, etc. The DUNS Number is
a distinctive nine-digit identification sequence, which links you to a wealth
of quality information products and services originating exclusively from Dun
& Bradstreet 800.333.0505, and more recently used within the federal government
to identify your company for federal acquisition processes. The DUNS number,
free for the asking, is an internationally recognized common company identifier
in EDI and global electronic commerce transactions. You must have your DUNS number
assigned before you can register in the CCR. Back
to top Business opportunity databases This
Department of Defense (DOD) database contains award information on only DOD contracts.
This database contains excellent marketing information.
Defense Link provides a number of links to DOD activities FedBizOpps is the official federal web site for posting
business opportunities of $25,000 or more. It's searchable using keywords, FSC
codes or NAICS codes. You can also search by buying office. Back
to top Credit card information Purchase Cards provides a list of contacts for credit
card managers for the Department of Defense. Back
to top Important vendor databases
PRO-NET lists only small businesses and can be searched for potential vendors.
It's a great passive marketing tool for a small business. Since November 1, 2002,
the site is a search tool for potential small businesses. Note: You
must register for all federal contract opportunities will be through CCR.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the major registration site for all
Federal Government and a one-stop registration point. Registering here will ensure
that federal contract documents will have proper vendor information placed in
the federal document. Also, Small Businesses can have their data placed into PRO-NET
automatically once the reguired information has been inputted. Get the CCR
registration form from our downloads page to help make your online registration
process easier.
The Department of Defense E-mall (DOD EMALL) is a site where DOD buyers look
for off-the-shelf, finished goods from the commercial marketplace. Vendors who
want to market their products to the DOD create an online store in this electronic
mall for government buyers to browse. Back to
top Electronic Commerce Help This web site provides information about issues concerning
e-commerce in the Department of Defense. Back
to top Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
This is the resource everyone should go to first. Assistance is provided at
the local level through co-operative agreements between the Federal Government
and state, local or non-profit entities. Most of the cost of the services provided
is covered through cost sharing arrangements under the co-operative agreement.
All businesses, large and small, should give PTACs a try. You'll be surprised
at the caliber of service offered. These individuals are employees of the buying office
and a great inside resource for you. If you don’t know who else to ask for at
a buying office ask for the Small Business Specialist. Back
to top Small Business Administration (SBA) resources
This web site is the home page for the government agency that looks out for
the interests of small businesses in the United States.
This sub-web site lists the SBA regional offices by region.
These two sub-web sites provide a variety of information of interest to women-owned
small businesses. Back to top Subcontracting
opportunities
You can find subcontract opportunities at these two web sites. They list large
businesses that have a contract requirement to provide help to small business
in doing business with them. These directories list over 5,000 large businesses
with federal contracts. Contact information for each listing is provided. Back
to top General Services Administration (GSA) resources
These sites provide a lot of information on the General Services Administration.
The FSS site will help you get a GSA number. Back
to top Special small business programs
These web sites are geared toward small businesses in the research and
development field.
These sites provide information about working with large prime contractors
to enhance your business capabilities. Back
to top Regulations
Learn the rules for contracting with the federal government.
DFARS is a user- friendly web site to look up the DOD supplement to the FAR. Opportunities
in Chicago and Illinois Chicago Cook
County, IL Illinois
state government - Capital Development Board
www.cdb.state.il.us/
-Construction Opportunities
-Links to other resources - Department
of Commerce and Economical Development (DCEO)
www.commerce.state.il.us
-Links to other DCCA Info
-DCCA calendar of events Back to top Other
web sites worth knowing about
FirstGov is the most important portal for government web sites, and includes
an excellent search tool. An online companion to the award
winning book, we think this is a great site to learn the steps involved in winning
government contracts. Back
to top | 
