This Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.
An Overview of Federal Government Contracting
The federal government contracting system is a process composed of three phases. The phases are Pre-Award, Award and Post-Award. Each phase of the process requires the business to complete specific steps for a selected service, supply, construction, architect and engineering or research and development requirement being offered to the government.
AWARDS:
Target the dollar requirements in the Federal Government at the:
| 1) Micro Purchase Level | $1- $3,500 | Not Advertised |
| 2) Simplified Acquisitions | $3,500- $25,000 | Not Advertised |
| 3) Simplified Acquisitions | $25,000- $ 6.5 Million | Advertised |
| 4) Contract Level | $25,000- $$$,$$$,$$$,$$$ | Advertised |
PROCUREMENT PROCESS:
- The government acquires supplies and services at the micro purchase level using IMPACT credit cards, one source, large or small vendor, no competition required.
- The government acquires supplies and services between $3,000 and $25,000 using simplified acquisition procedures, competitive, 3 vendors solicited by phone, mail, fax or email.
- The government acquires supplies and services over $25,000 and up to $5.5 million using simplified acquisition procedures. The requirements must be published at www.fbo.gov
- The government requirements for supplies and services over $25,000 (contract level) must be published at www.fbo.gov
FREQUENTLY USED WEBSITES:
- www.fbo.gov Government web site postings for federal procurements over $25,000
- www.irs.gov Federal Tax Identification Number
- dandb.com Dun and Bradstreet Number
- www.census.gov North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
- www.sam.gov System Award Management
- www.sba.gov Small Business Administration
- www.gsa.gov General Service Administration access to getting on schedules
- www.dla.mil Defense Logistics Agency
- www.vip.vetbiz.gov Veteran Resources
- www.acquisition.gov/far Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
- www.usaspending.gov Federal Spending for the Previous Year(s)
PTAC CONTACTS:
Contact your Procurement Specialist at www.fptac.org for assistance on contracting with Federal, State, and Local governments.
