Everyone wants to land a government contract. Here, we’ll discuss where to find solicitations, the following steps to take, and how to take advantage of resources to assist you in the process.
A couple of times a year, the U.S. Air Force drops a list of contract solicitations for ongoing technological needs. These solicitations are sorted by topic and include a brief overview of a problem that needs to be 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 when they go live?
You need to know where to find them.
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. These lists drop without much fanfare, but Vertx is here to make this information more widely available for potential entrants.
Identify whether your solution could match the problem.
The first observation you’ll want to make upon visiting the SBIR list is that it’s broken into Available Funding Topics. These are relatively specific categories of technology solutions the Air Force is interested in 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, there’s an option to submit questions seeking clarification, other times Vertx is here to help get you the answers you need. Vertx was established to assist non-traditional defense companies, small businesses, and researchers navigate the process of finding and winning federal contracts.
Get connected.
If you’ve found a solicitation that looks promising, you’re off to a great start! Vertx representatives are on standby to help guide you through the application process, educate newcomers on insider terms, and connect like-minded entities with similar goals. Solutions can be complex and inter-contractor partnerships are common; so are partnerships with universities and research institutions. 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 these steps are designed to help potential applicants stay proactive and ready for anything. Vertx is your ultimate resource for facilitating a smooth transition into your first contract.
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