If you’re wondering how to become a federal contractor, you’re not alone. This is a thriving business that is expanding, and many are getting in on the action. Here are some of the key things to know about the process.
VEVRAA Federal Contractor
If you are a federal contractor, you may want to take advantage of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) to improve the employment opportunities for veterans. This legislation protects protected veterans from discrimination and requires employers to take affirmative action.
Federal contractors must comply with VEVRAA by establishing hiring benchmarks and taking proactive measures to recruit, hire and retain protected veterans. If you have questions about VEVRAA, you can contact the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, which is part of the Department of Labor. The OFCCP monitors and enforces the law to ensure federal contractors and subcontractors meet their obligations.
VEVRAA is a federal law that protects disabled veterans, enabling them to access employment. However, veterans with disabilities face significant barriers when seeking jobs. Most have fear of disability discrimination in the workplace.
Fortunately, VEVRAA provides protections in addition to broad anti-discrimination laws. It also includes reemployment rights for eligible service members. Affirmative action programs can help increase employment opportunities for these individuals, while ensuring that your company meets diversity requirements.
VEVRAA federal contractors must notify the ESDS when they post job listings. They must include the VEVRAA Federal Contractor logo, and provide an affirmative action policy. During the hiring process, they must consider applicants who self-identify as black, Hispanic or Latino. Applicants who do not identify as black, Hispanic or Latino, or as a protected veteran, must receive an option to do so.
Contractors and subcontractors must maintain records for at least three years. This data will be used to assess their outreach efforts. They must also report on their compliance with VEVRAA. Failure to meet this requirement may result in monetary penalties or debarment.
VEVRAA is a critical step in ensuring that federal contractors and subcontractors follow EEO laws and comply with their affirmative action obligations. Failure to comply can lead to financial penalties and ongoing reporting to the OFCCP.
VEVRAA is one of several EEO laws that must be implemented by federal contractors. Failure to comply can result in the cancellation of your current contract and ongoing reporting to the OFCCP.
Disaster Response Registry
If you’re interested in a job in the construction industry, you might consider registering with the federal government’s Disaster Response Registry. This is a useful tool for both new and existing contractors alike. As the name suggests, this is a listing of companies that are willing to provide emergency relief services. These may include cleaning up debris and providing water to the victims of Hurricane Harvey and other disasters.
To get onto this list, you’ll need to prove your bona fides. First, you’ll need to register in the proper databases. The federal government is asking its contractors to join the DRR in order to qualify for certain procurement opportunities. Next, you’ll need to answer a series of questions about your company’s capacity to provide relief services to those in need.
You’ll also be asked about your business’ bonding and other insurance credentials. If you can tick those boxes, you’ll be off and running. Once you’ve secured those credentials, you’ll be ready to woo the contracting officers.
One of the best ways to go about this is to sign up for the Disaster Response Registry’s email alerts. This will let you know about emergency services and products as soon as they become available. And if you’re a contractor, it’s a great way to learn about the best companies to work with in your area.
Another way to get your foot in the door is by signing up with the Small Business Administration. Among other things, the SBA can help you with disaster recovery efforts, including helping your local community recover from natural disasters. In the past, the SBA has helped local businesses with everything from providing temporary housing to assisting with small-scale repair and replacement of public infrastructure.
To learn more about the best ways to prepare for a disaster, visit your local PTAC (Public-Private Partnership). They can advise you on the best strategies for leveraging your resources to land a disaster relief job. For more information about the FEMA Industry Liaison Program, see the FEMA website. Alternatively, you can visit the local office of state purchasing to learn more about posting and bidding on open contracts on the LaPAC site.
ORCA and CCR
If you’re interested in working with FEMA and the federal government, you’re going to need to register with the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) and the Common Contractor Registration (CCR) if you want to have any chance of winning contracts. You may also want to consider using a reputable third party registration service like the US Federal Contractor Registration to help you with your CCR and ORCA requirements.
The ORCA website is the place to go if you want to see what the Federal Government has to offer in terms of online services. For instance, you can find out what vendors you have on the list, check your company’s certifications, and even review your contracting status online. In addition to ORCA, you can also visit your local PTAC for a little help.
One of the more complex tasks you’ll have to perform is completing the FEMA Vendor Profile. This is a profile that allows FEMA associates to determine which private businesses are best suited to provide assistance in emergencies. It’s not just a way to find and identify companies in your industry, but a way to determine which ones are most likely to be able to save lives in the event of a disaster.
If you want to get the most out of this exercise, you’ll want to know how to create a Dynamic Small Business Search profile. To do this, you’ll need to have a Postal Code for your business and a St Add 2 address, or alternate street address. Once you have your information ready, you can start the process of becoming a FEMA contractor.
In addition to the ORCA and CCR, you’ll also need to register for the SAM. In the world of government procurement, the SAM system provides the best vendor and supplier information available. It can be used to automate updates to entity information. Among other things, it connects to the Office of Naval Research’s contract writing system, DLA Troop Support, and the ONR’s procurement system.
The best thing about this system is that it’s not just for the military. There are hundreds of other agencies and departments that use the system, including the Department of Commerce, the State Department, the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
NAICS codes
If you’re planning to become a FEMA contractor, you need to know how to find the right NAICS code. A good NAICS code will help you understand your business, its capabilities, and its potential customers. It will also help you determine whether or not you qualify for government contracts.
The NAICS code is a federal statistical system for classifying businesses in the United States. Typically, the first two digits represent an economic sector and the third digit identifies the subsector.
To be classified in a NAICS code, your business must meet size standards. These standards are determined by the number of employees and annual revenue. Choosing a NAICS code that matches your business’s products and services is a great way to increase your chances of gaining contracts with the government.
For example, a business with a primary NAICS code of 541611 is classified as an Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services company. Similarly, a business with a NAICS code of 236220 is a general construction contractor. However, a company that is a specialty trade contractor is a catch-all category.
In order to be a FEMA contractor, you’ll need to register with the federal government. You’ll also need to check the status of your registration and update your registration when necessary.
During disasters, the Department of Homeland Security or FEMA hires cleanup crews and contractors to work on sites. These workers need to register with SAM (System for Award Management). SAM is a free service that allows you to search for exclusion records, verify your registration, and see which federal agencies you can contract with.
If you’re a small business and are interested in becoming a FEMA contractor, you should register with the FedBiz Access program. This program will guide you through the process, and you’ll receive free support from an experienced team. They can help you decide on a primary NAICS code, as well as the best PSC code for your business.
Another option is to use the Procurement Technical Assistance Center. PTA provides free support for any government contracting matters.
Finally, remember to look into the HUBZone program. Federal agencies are looking for suppliers of goods and services that are provided in the local economy.