Get registered and find the jobs in your area or Nationwide:
Interested in finding jobs to bid? The Federal Government needs you! I am here to help from start to finish if needed. WAWF billing ARRA reporting, Estimating, Contract Admin, Bookkeeping, the list goes on.
Bidding Federal Government jobs is not for everyone. If you are interested in moving forward with considering bidding Government jobs please note that the fiscal year ends September 30th so not as many jobs are posted between October and May, the majority are posted June - September each year.
If you want to bid Government jobs you will have to register in CCR and ORCA. To do this you will need a few things and instructions are on my website or click this link.
To look at projects go to FBO Advanced search to look at available jobs in the areas of work that you would feel comfortable bidding.
1. To narrow the list this first time, pick the Small Business choices and Veteran Owned Small Business, if this applies to your company.
2. Move down the page to the NAICS codes and look for areas of work you are interested in. For instance the companies I have worked with would definitely look at jobs under the NAIC codes beginning with 236. Don't worry about any of the rest of the boxes for now unless you wish to really narrow things down, this will give you an idea of the magnitude of projects available. Click search and look at all of the jobs it brings up.
3. Pick one you are interested in and double click on it and it will take you to a page that shows all of the documents available on the job.
4. If you pick one that doesn't have the plans and specs posted yet then keep choosing until you find one that does. If it says it is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation there are rarely any plans and specs issued, they just give you the description of the job in the Synopsis. Also sometimes the plans and specs are posted on another website such as IDEASEC and there will be a link to that site, usually toward the bottom of the page. Look at the job (all files are on the right in FBO - plans & specs etc) and put your numbers on it as if you were going to bid it.
5. When you are looking at the Solicitation documents search the document for the word damages. Some jobs have liquidated damages and you will want to be aware of that when bidding the job.
6. Also be aware that if it a job that has been funded by ARRA there will be extra paperwork that needs to be done for this so take that into consideration when bidding.
7. Davis Bacon Wages apply to these jobs and there will be a wage rate schedule within the paperwork to assist you in bidding the job.
8. Follow the job until it actually bids and see how you did compared to what the job was awarded for. To be notified on any changes on the job (the Government frequently issues clarifications or changes and they are called Amendments or Modifications) click on Watch this Opportunity at the top of the page where the job information is and you will be prompted to Log In.
9. You then need to register and login, you will need a DUNS number for this. If you don't know if you have one, or don't have one, the instructions are there on how to proceed. Once you are registered and click on "Watch this Opportunity" you will be sent an email when any changes are issued.
10. You should check periodically for any changes just to be sure and always check before sending in a bid. There are many Government acronyms and you can find lists on the internet that you can refer to or give me a call.
11. When bidding jobs you should know that if you bid on an IFB, once it is awarded you will be able to get an abstract of the bids and see what all of the bidders amounts were.
12. If it is an RFQ or RFP all you will be able to get is the amount of the bid for the Awarded Firm.
Contact me to find out how you can perform projects Nationwide, don’t limit yourself to one particular city or state. I am here to help you get started today!
If you have any questions (I'm sure you will) let me know but this will give you a feel for the bidding process. The Government first issues a Synopsis or Pre Solicitation on a job to let people know they would like a project done. Then if all goes well they will post the plans and specs in the future. Once the actual Solicitation is posted the bid date is listed on the 1st form of the solicitation. This is only subject to change via an Amendment or Mod and the bids must be received by the specified time and date. Once you actually decide to bid a job it is always best to check periodically for updates and send your bid documents via Fed Ex, Certified Mail or UPS so you have proof of delivery and there are details that you need to know about sending in the bid which we will review if you decide you are interested in bidding Government jobs and want to move forward. Good luck with your practice run!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
DCAA upcoming audit? Just need to become compliant?
There are several guides to help you, directly from the DCAA website, and links are provided on my website lgschwarz.com . There are many factors involved in an audit and it is critical that you are well prepared. You may see some terms you are not familiar with, you need to understand these terms.
The FAR Cost Principles Guide is one of the great resources. Allowable, Reasonable and Allocable are 3 important terms from FAR 31.201 and a description of each follows.
Allowable
(a) The factors to be considered in determining whether a cost is allowable include the following:
(1) Reasonableness.
(2) Allocability.
(3) Standards promulgated by the CAS Board, if applicable; otherwise, generally accepted accounting principles and practices appropriate to the particular circumstances.
(4) Terms of the contract. (5) Any limitations set forth in this subpart.
Reasonable
A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. Reasonableness of specific costs must be examined with particular care in connection with firms or their separate divisions that may not be subject to effective competitive restraints. What is reasonable depends upon a variety of considerations and circumstances involving both the nature and amount of the cost in question. In determining the reasonableness of a specific cost, the contracting officer shall consider-
(a) Whether it is the type of cost generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the conduct of the contractor's business or the contract performance;
(b) The restraints or requirements imposed by such factors as generally accepted sound business practices, arms-length bargaining, Federal and State laws and regulations, and contract terms and specifications;
(c) The action that a prudent business person, considering responsibilities to the owners of the business, employees, customers, the Government, and the public at large, would take under the circumstances; and
(d) Any significant deviations from the established practices of the contractor that may unjustifiably increase the contract costs.
and
(a) A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. Reasonableness of specific costs must be examined with particular care in connection with firms or their separate divisions that may not be subject to effective competitive restraints. No presumption of reasonableness shall be attached to the incurrence of costs by a contractor. If an initial review of the facts results in a challenge of a specific cost by the contracting officer or the contracting officer's representative, the burden of proof shall be upon the contractor to establish that such cost is reasonable.
(b) What is reasonable depends upon a variety of considerations and circumstances, including-
(1) Whether it is the type of cost generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the conduct of the contractor's business or the contract performance;
(2) Generally accepted sound business practices, arm's length bargaining, and Federal and State laws and regulations;
(3) The contractor's responsibilities to the Government, other customers, the owners of the business, employees, and the public at large; and
(4) Any significant deviations from the contractor's established practices.
Allocable
A cost is allocable if it is assignable or chargeable to one or more cost objectives on the basis of relative benefits received or other equitable relationship. Subject to the foregoing, a cost is allocable to a Government contract if it-
(a) Is incurred specifically for the contract;
(b) Benefits both the contract and other work, and can be distributed to them in reasonable proportion to the benefits received; or
(c) Is necessary to the overall operation of the business, although a direct relationship to any particular cost objective cannot be shown.
If you want to learn more contact me, Lori Schwarz, for additional information or assistance. Need WAWF help or training? I can help.
The FAR Cost Principles Guide is one of the great resources. Allowable, Reasonable and Allocable are 3 important terms from FAR 31.201 and a description of each follows.
Allowable
(a) The factors to be considered in determining whether a cost is allowable include the following:
(1) Reasonableness.
(2) Allocability.
(3) Standards promulgated by the CAS Board, if applicable; otherwise, generally accepted accounting principles and practices appropriate to the particular circumstances.
(4) Terms of the contract. (5) Any limitations set forth in this subpart.
Reasonable
A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. Reasonableness of specific costs must be examined with particular care in connection with firms or their separate divisions that may not be subject to effective competitive restraints. What is reasonable depends upon a variety of considerations and circumstances involving both the nature and amount of the cost in question. In determining the reasonableness of a specific cost, the contracting officer shall consider-
(a) Whether it is the type of cost generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the conduct of the contractor's business or the contract performance;
(b) The restraints or requirements imposed by such factors as generally accepted sound business practices, arms-length bargaining, Federal and State laws and regulations, and contract terms and specifications;
(c) The action that a prudent business person, considering responsibilities to the owners of the business, employees, customers, the Government, and the public at large, would take under the circumstances; and
(d) Any significant deviations from the established practices of the contractor that may unjustifiably increase the contract costs.
and
(a) A cost is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. Reasonableness of specific costs must be examined with particular care in connection with firms or their separate divisions that may not be subject to effective competitive restraints. No presumption of reasonableness shall be attached to the incurrence of costs by a contractor. If an initial review of the facts results in a challenge of a specific cost by the contracting officer or the contracting officer's representative, the burden of proof shall be upon the contractor to establish that such cost is reasonable.
(b) What is reasonable depends upon a variety of considerations and circumstances, including-
(1) Whether it is the type of cost generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for the conduct of the contractor's business or the contract performance;
(2) Generally accepted sound business practices, arm's length bargaining, and Federal and State laws and regulations;
(3) The contractor's responsibilities to the Government, other customers, the owners of the business, employees, and the public at large; and
(4) Any significant deviations from the contractor's established practices.
Allocable
A cost is allocable if it is assignable or chargeable to one or more cost objectives on the basis of relative benefits received or other equitable relationship. Subject to the foregoing, a cost is allocable to a Government contract if it-
(a) Is incurred specifically for the contract;
(b) Benefits both the contract and other work, and can be distributed to them in reasonable proportion to the benefits received; or
(c) Is necessary to the overall operation of the business, although a direct relationship to any particular cost objective cannot be shown.
If you want to learn more contact me, Lori Schwarz, for additional information or assistance. Need WAWF help or training? I can help.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Don't miss the opportunites in 2011
Every year the Federal Government has projects that are not awarded due to lack of participation from Qualified Contractors. If you want get your share of the profits from performing Federal Government Contracts get started today! Contact me or visit my website for detailed instructions. Go to the fbo website to view the opportunities already posted.
For the past 17 years I have assisted Nationwide Contractors perform millions in Federal Government Contracts. Getting set up takes some time but once you do the opportunities are out there waiting for you to submit your bid.
I can assist you with the entire process or give you the instructions so that you can handle it on your own.
The companies I assisted were usually 1-2 owner with no employees and yet I was able to give them the knowledge and the tools to perform millions in Federal Government Contracts each year. You can do it if you want to open up opportunities for your existing business or if you are a new start up.
Take the time to prepare your company for the 2011 bidding season. The majority of projects are posted beginning in May or June and once September is over it takes months for the website to get moving again.
Contact me if you need assistance
For the past 17 years I have assisted Nationwide Contractors perform millions in Federal Government Contracts. Getting set up takes some time but once you do the opportunities are out there waiting for you to submit your bid.
I can assist you with the entire process or give you the instructions so that you can handle it on your own.
The companies I assisted were usually 1-2 owner with no employees and yet I was able to give them the knowledge and the tools to perform millions in Federal Government Contracts each year. You can do it if you want to open up opportunities for your existing business or if you are a new start up.
Take the time to prepare your company for the 2011 bidding season. The majority of projects are posted beginning in May or June and once September is over it takes months for the website to get moving again.
Contact me if you need assistance
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)