Resources

Registration

• 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
  • SAM Instructional Video – 2013
  • Veteran-Owned Business Registration (the VA’s vendor registration system for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses)
  • SDVOSB Joint Venture Requirements (terms required in a joint venture involving a service-disabled veteran-owned small business)
  • USA Gov (the U.S. government’s official web search site)
  • FedBizOpps (the place where the federal government announces all of its contracts valued at more than $25,000; register here to conduct advanced searches)
  • MERX Supplier Guide (a guide for doing business with the Canadian government)
• 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

• A Guide to Marketing and Business Development with Technology (on-line resources for presenting your products/services to the government)
• FedSpending.org (a tool to research federal contracting activities over the past several years)
• SBA’s Subcontracting Opportunities Directory (a listing of prime contractors who have submitted subcontracting plans to the federal government)
• Contracts Awarded by the Dept. of Defense ($5 million or more, containing subcontracting opportunities, announced each business day)
• Government Contracting Basics (DoD fact sheet)
• DoD Installations in the U.S. (list of DoD installations in each state)
• SBIR (helps companies obtain funding for research and development activities)
• Evaluating Your Business Idea, Business Feasibility Guide, Business Plan On-Line Guide, SBA’s How to Prepare a Business Plan, and Sample Business Plans (each of these links contain resources to help you develop, refine and improve your business plan)
• Federal IT Dashboard (a website  enabling federal agencies, industry, the general public and other stakeholders to view details of federal information  technology investments)

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

• FedBizOpps (the single government point-of-entry for Federal procurement opportunities over $25,000)
• DLA’s Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) (web-based application for quoting on supply items purchased by the Defense Logistics Agency; registration here)
• NASPO (listing of all 50 states’ procurement officers compiled by the National Association of State Procurement Officials)
• USA.gov (the official gateway to all U.S. government information)
• Sub-Net (postings of subcontracting opportunities by prime contractors)
• GSA/FSS Home Page (the Federal Supply Service provides federal customers with products, services, and programs)
• Doing Business with VA Medical Centers (Veterans Administration contract opportunities)
• Procurement Gateway (DLA’s online bidding system)

Bidding and Performing

• Proposal Preparation Tips (from GTPAC)
• Marketing to the Dept. of Defense (DoD fact sheet)
• DoD’s Subcontracting Plan (DoD fact sheet)
• Doing Business with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) (20-page handbook)
• Glossary Terms and Acronyms

Minnesota

• Department of Administration
• Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)
• Doing Business with the Department of Transportation (DOT) 
• Doing Business with Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC)
• Minnesota Reservist and Veteran Business Loan Program
• Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

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.