Resources
Registration
- Procurement Opportunities Guide, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Selling to Governments and Corporations – 2013 edition
- Employer Identification Number (apply for an EIN online)
- DUNS Number (online application to obtain a DUNS number)
- NAICS codes (guide to the uniform, industry-wide classification system for statistical reporting of all economic activities of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico; NAICS codes are needed to register in SAM for federal contracting)
- NIGP Code Directory (listing of commodity codes developed by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, adopted by more than 1,400 state and local governments; NIGP codes are needed to register as a vendor with state and local governments)
- FSC/PSC search (listing and search engine for Federal Supply Codes and Product Service Codes; needed to complete registration in SAM)
- Small Business Size Standards (use these tables to determine whether your business is a small business)
- 8(a) program (guide to the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program)
- 8(a) Mentor-Protege Rules (Small Business Administration’s rules on what written mentor-protege agreements must contain)
- Joint Venture Guidelines (Small Business Administration’s rules on 8(a) mentor-protege joint venture agreements)
- HUBZone (guide to the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone program)
- HUBZone Locator Tool (type in an address to determine whether it is located in a HUBZone)
- WOSB program (guide to the Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program)
- SAM (System for Acquisition Management, includes the centralized, electronic registration process for vendors that want to do business with the federal government, formerly known as Central Contractor Registration, as well as ORCA, the Online Representations and Certifications Application, the primary federal government repository for all of your company’s required representations and certifications)
- SAM Quick Start Guide
- SWIFT - SWIFT (StateWide Integrated Financial Tools) is the PeopleSoft based online financial, procurement, and reporting system used by the State of Minnesota.
Developing a Marketing Plan
Knowing the Right People
- Business USA (resources, events, and government programs for small businesses and exporters)
- Small Business Specialists, Dept. of Homeland Security
- Small Business Specialists, U.S. DOT
- Small Business Specialists, Coast Guard
- Small Business Specialists, Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
- Small Business Specialists, Dept. of the Interior
- Small Business Specialists, General Services Administration (GSA)
- Small Business Specialists, NASA
- Procurement Center Representatives and Commercial Market Representatives, Small Business Administration
- Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), Navy Exchange (NEX), Marine Corps Exchange and the US Coast Guard Exchange (for sale of retail items to military posts)
- Army Morale, Welfare & Recreation and Navy Morale, Welfare & Recreation (for recreation, sports & physical fitness activities, child development & youth programs, hospitality and retail shopping opportunities)
- Real Estate Services (contracting performed by GSA for 8,600 federal properties)
Reference Library
- FAR – DFAR (federal acquisition regulatory resources)
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (online guide to all rules published in the Federal Register by departments and agencies of the federal government)
- US Code (consolidation, and codification by subject matter, of all general and permanent U.S. laws)
- Federal Register (the official daily publication of federal agencies’ rules, proposed rules, and notices as well as presidential executive orders)
- Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy (DPAP is responsible for all contracting and procurement policy for DoD)
- Government Contract Forms (searchable database of all federal contracting forms)
- FinancesOnline.org – a guide that outlines everything that needs to be considered before starting a business, and provides guidance and resources to start a business.
Searching for Opportunities
Bidding and Performing
Minnesota
State Purchasing and Procurement Agencies
If your business is located outside the state of Minnesota, find your local APEX Accelerator.
Entrepreneurship Guide
Important questions one should ask before starting a business and offer valuable information about writing business plans and securing funding.