How do you land your first Air Force contract? Here, we’ll discuss where to find solicitations and how to leverage resources to assist you.
A couple of times a year, the U.S. Air Force drops a list of contract solicitations for ongoing technological needs. The Air Force sorts solicitations by topic and each includes a brief overview of a problem needing solved. These solicitations form one of the sturdiest bedrocks upon which to build a successful relationship with the Air Force. But what are the steps you need to take to secure your first Air Force contract?
You need to know where to find them.
If you’re trying to secure your first Air Force contract, maybe you didn’t know the Air Force regularly posts their solicitations at https://www.sbir.gov/solicitations/open/dod – that’s alright, you’ve come to the right place. The first step is knowing where to find what you’re looking for. The Air Force drops these lists without much fanfare, but Vertx makes this information more widely available for potential entrants.
Identify whether your solution could match the problem.
When you visit the SBIR list, you’ll likely observe that the Air Force has broken it into Available Funding Topics. The Air Force is interested in relatively specific categories of technology solutions and you can gather a wealth of information by clicking on a topic that piques your curiosity. There you’ll be able to find out more about the initiative’s restrictions, its objective, and description. If you’ve already connected with Vertx, this is a golden opportunity to receive consultation about how your business can offer a partial or full solution within the given topic.
Ask questions.
You’re likely to run into some industry-specific terminology and potential red tape. On some – but not all – solicitations, you can submit questions seeking clarification; other times, Vertx is here to help get you the answers you need. Our team established Vertx to assist non-traditional defense companies, small businesses, and researchers navigate the process of finding and winning federal contracts.
Connect with Vertx.
When you find a solicitation that looks promising, think your solution matches a need, and ask the questions needed to help you understand, your next step is connecting with Vertx! Vertx representatives are on standby to guide through the application process, educate newcomers on insider terms, and connect like-minded entities with similar goals. While many inter-contractor partnerships involve working with another business, partnerships with universities and research institutions are common as well. Staying connected through Vertx gives you a leg up over competitors and the information you need to reel in that first federal contract.
When the right opportunity drops, it can be your doorway into the world of national defense contracting with the U.S. Air Force. Contracting can be competitive, and we designed these steps to help potential applicants stay proactive and ready for anything. Ultimately, Vertx is your comprehensive resource for facilitating a smooth transition into your first contract.
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