Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert

Name: Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert
Rating: 4.5 (483 reviews)

Comprehensive guide to Register in SAMgov/Search for Opportunities/Bid to WIN!; Marketing Techniques/GSA/Get Certified

Created byKeith Larson

Last updated 9/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Learn the best techniques for marketing to federal agencies
Get certified for a competitive advantage
Avoid the pricing error most bidders make
Consider 11 ways to finance your business

Course content

6 sections • 60 lectures • 10h 22m total length

About the Instructor4:20
Here's a little about my background
Topic 1a: Federal Procurement Overview22:24
Explore the federal procurement process, including budget basics, Sam.gov registration, GSA purchasing, NAICS codes, and the five procurement phases, with notes on small business certifications and federal marketing.
Topic 1b. Government Market Research6:56
Examine how government market research under FAR Part 10 identifies commercial solutions, small business capabilities, and best value, using SAM.gov, FPDS, and the SBA's dynamic small business search.
Topic 1c. Registering in Sam.gov12:08
Overview and Searching For opportunities
Topic 1d. Obtain a Unique Entity ID without Registering6:20
If you aren't going after government contracts but need a Unique Entity ID, this video will show you how.
Topic 1e. Searching for Opportunities -Basic5:29
Advanced Functionality: Search Agents, Watchlists and Export Controlled Documents
Topic 1f. Searching for Opportunities - Advanced8:14
Topic 1g: Search Opportunities By NAICS or PSC3:40
Search federal contract opportunities by NAICS or PSC on sam.gov using keyword searches and advanced filters. Refine results by entering full or partial codes and selecting multiple codes.
Topic 1h: Searching for Entities7:05
Search for competitors, potential teammates and primes
Government procurement Overview Quiz

Topic 2: Certifications synopsis4:25
2a. Certifications Overview14:42
Certifications overview quiz
2b. 8(a) Certification9:47
What the 8(a) program is/Is not - Benefits - Eligibility Requirements
2c. 8(a) Certification Part 29:47
8(a) Application process - Mentor-Protégé Program - Program for High Tech 8(a)s
8(a) Certification
2d. SBA 8(a) Webinar27:17
Explore the SBA 8(a) Ada business development program, enabling socially and economically disadvantaged firms to access federal contracts through set-asides, mentor-protege opportunities, and free business training.
2e. Women Owned Certification9:06
Learn about the 8(a) Application process - Mentor-Protégé Program - Program for High Tech 8(a)s
2f. Women owned cert Webinar9:25
Explore the women-owned small business and economically disadvantaged women-owned small business certifications under the SBA, including eligibility criteria, eligible NAICS codes, and set-aside contract opportunities.
Women owned certification quiz
2g: Veteran Owned Certifications10:41
What We’ll Cover: ØBackground Ø“Veterans First” Law ØService-Disabled Vet Owned Biz (SDVOSB) Program

ØContract Set Asides and Sole Source Procurements ØEligibility ØApplication Process ØResources
VetCert Webinar 20253:31
Explore the veterans small business certification, enabling access to set-aside and sole source contracts through the SBA and the VA's Vets First program, including 3% and 7% contract targets.
Veteran owned and service-disabled veteran owned business
2h. HUBZone Certification9:12
We'll discuss §HUBZone Program Description §Its benefits §Requirements to qualify §6 steps to register as a HUBZone §Maintaining HUBZone Certification §HUBZone Joint Ventures §Marketing Tips
2i. HUBZone Certification Webinar11:36
Explore the Hubzone program's mandate to award 3% of prime contracts, its 10% price evaluation preference, and eligibility criteria for ownership, residency, and location.
HUBZone quiz
j. U.S. DOT Disadvantaged Enterprise Program17:13
The 2021 Infrastructure and jobs act has greatly increased the demand for DBEs.
Dep't of Transportation's DBE Program

Topic 3 Marketing Synopsis2:04
Learn federal marketing strategies to win contracts by targeting agencies and primes, networking via mixers and LinkedIn, and applying branding, capabilities flyer, white paper, SEO, and market research.
3a. Marketing Overview10:43
We'll explore •Government Marketing Fundamentals •Target Marketing •Bidding Prime vs Bidding to Primes

•Targeting Agencies and/or Primes • Market Research Tips •Organizations & Websites to connect primes with subs
Marketing to the Feds overview Quiz
3b. Branding4:51
Lecture Outline: Ø The Elevator Pitch Ø Business Cards Ø Capabilities Statement and “White Paper”
Branding Quiz
3c. Target Marketing6:02
Target the federal marketplace by identifying agencies and primes, conducting focused market research, and pursuing subcontracting or teaming opportunities with small business set asides.
3d. Networking Face-to-Face11:22
3e. Networking with LinkedIn10:17
3f. Social Media Marketing & SEO10:13
Define your target market and competitive advantage, and build a professional website with search engine optimization and social media marketing to drive traffic and grow sales.
3f. 6 ways to do biz with military bases-4 min3:37
Learn six ways small businesses can win DoD contracts, including under-$3,000 purchase procedures, $3,000–$150,000 simplified acquisitions, competitive contracting, GSA schedules, defense support agencies, and primes subcontracting.
Drones: the future of warfare6:10
Explore how cheap drones reshape warfare by destroying airframes and tanks, signaling the end of legacy mechanized warfare and a shift to drone-driven defense innovation.

Topic 4 General Services Admin Synopsis4:36
Learn how the GSA's Mas contracts, library, and sam.gov data drive small business opportunities and federal procurement. Discover how to use GSA purchasing vehicles and related tools to compete effectively.
4a. GSA Part 119:55
Learn how the GSA streamlines federal procurement, explore schedules and catalogs, and identify steps to become a multiple award schedule supplier, including sam.gov, TAA compliance, and GSA Advantage.
4b. GSA Part 250:49
Master the GSA MAS program and GWAC, using IDIQ contracts to enable federal procurement. Develop marketing and data mining strategies to meet sales milestones and win schedule contracts.
4c. GSA Part 38:27
More detail on how GSA operates: The benefits of having a GSA Schedule
4d. GSA Part 4-Contractor Assessment Visit (CAV)7:42
4e. How GSA buys IT services6:10
Short tutorial for gov buyers on advantages of using GSA MAS and GWAC purchasing vehicles
4f. E-Buy and Fed Mall webinars14:24
This lecture shows how government buyers use e-buy to post requirements, obtain quotes, and award contracts, and how Fed Mall enables purchases under $10,000 with the government purchase card.
4g. Office of Sm Biz Utilization webinars8:00
Learn how the Office of Small Business Utilization helps small businesses access federal contracts through sam.gov, FedBizOpps, and the FedBiz forecast, and pursue subcontracting opportunities with FAS, PBS, and OAS.
GSA For off-the-shelf items and services

Topic 5 How to Prepare a WINNING proposal- Synopsis2:39
5a. Bidding Basics20:11
Here’s what I’ll cover: § Bid/no bid checklist § Tips on Setting Target Price § Risk factors and mitigation techniques
5b. The Technical proposal8:05
Here's what you will learn: - Evaluation Team process - Judging factors - Plan-Do-Check-Act - Red Team Review
5c. Management Proposal5:45
Learn to craft a comprehensive management proposal with scope, schedule, quality, resource, and risk management plans, linked deliverables, and earned value management (EVM) guidance for federal contracting.
5d. Pricing Proposal9:15
In Part 5b We’ll cover: Ø Cost Principles Ø Work Breakdown Structure Ø Preparing the Pricing Proposal
5e. The Joint Venture7:52
Joint Venture Outline: - Options For Bidding -Differences in Subbing, Teaming and JV-ing -Things to consider before JV-ing -50% Rule -How to search for a JV partner
5f. Contractor Performance Evaluation Part 126:02
5g. Contractor Performance Evaluation Part 212:18
Part 2 covers Contractor comments to an evaluation
5h.The Pre/Post Award phase1:02
Explore the final pre to post award phase of federal procurement, from finalist selection and oral presentations to debriefings, with practical tips and insights from personal experience.
5h. The Pre/post award phase7:19
Master the post-award phase of federal government contracting, including oral presentations, debriefings, and strategic prep for large primes and subcontractors.
Bidding
Topic 5i. SBA Mentor-Protege Program1:04
5i. SBA Mentor-Protege Program15:03

6a. Accounting for government contractors1:11
Study how government contractors align with FAR part 30 and GAAP (FASB) under DCAA, using debits and credits, cash and accrual methods, ledgers, statements, cash flow forecasting, and seven PDFs.
6a. Accounting overview8:12
We'll cover - Accounting Basics - General Ledger Accounts - Financial Statements - Financial Ratios -DCAA Checklist
6b. Financing your business1:32
6b. 11 Ways to Finance Your Business16:54
6c. SBA Loan Programs Webinar23:08
6d. Bonding for government contractors synopsis1:17
Learn the bonding requirements for government construction contracts, explore bond types and the SBA surety bond guarantee program, and gain tips to increase bonding capacity.
6d. Bonding7:25
Here’s the tutorial outline: - History of Bonding - Types of Bonds - SBA Bond Guaranty Program - Tips to Increase Bonding Capacity - Local Agency Assistance Programs
6e. Surety Bonds Webinar 2021-Pt115:09
Explore how the SBA surety bond guaranty program helps small businesses obtain contract bonds by guaranteeing 80–90% of bond value, expanding bonding capacity and simplifying fast decisions.
6d. Surety Bonds Webinar 2021-Pt218:21
Learn how surety bonds differ from insurance, the three party bond structure under the Miller Act, and SBA bonding programs that use working capital to expand access.
Accounting and Financials
Some thoughts on Ethics14:29

Requirements

Description

40 videos covering the following topics:

Procurement Basics
Registering in SAM, NAICs Codes, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Bidding Options
Certifications
Women Owned, Veteran Owned, Disadvantaged (8a) Owned, HUBZone and the Dep't of Transportations "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise" program

General Services Administration (GSA)
Get on the GSA Advantage! online catalog for off-the-shelf goods and services; Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) for specialty items, Government Wide Acquisition contracts (GWACs),
Bidding
Bid/No Bid Checklist, Identify Risk factors & mitigation techniques; 4 ways to bid; The Pricing Proposal, Technical Proposal; the 5 phases of a procurement.
Accounting, Financing & Bonding
Acc'ting for Government Contractors, DCAA compliance, Financial Statements, Business Ratios, 12 ways to finance your Biz; Gov guarantee Bonding Program;
Marketing to the Feds
Target Marketing; Network Marketing (Face-to-Face and LinkedIn); Elevator Pitch and Tag Lines; Who's Who; Branding; Business card design, Capabilities Statement, Capabilities "White Paper".

Over 80 Downloadable Guides, including

GSA Readiness Assessment
Bid-No bid Checklist
Bonding Guidelines
FBO Vendor Guide
GSA Multiple Award desk reference
1. 1. SAM Quick Start Guide for Contract Registrations 2. SAM User Guide 3.SAM Guide_for_Contract_Registrations 4. Quick Start Guide for Updating an Entity Registration 5. How to Become a Small Business Government Contractor of Choice 6. SBA Contracting Programs-Certs 7. SBA Certification Webinar_June 2021 8. SBAs_8a_Business_Development_Program_Eligibility 9. 8(a) Participation Agreement 10. SBA Contracting Programs-Certs 11. CFR 49 Definition of DBE 13. WOSB_NAICS-2016 14. WOSB Guide 15. WOSB Cert FORM 2413 16. SoleProprietor 17. HUBZone checklist 18. HUBZone_Application_Guide 19. HUBZone_Cert_Form_3 20. SDVOSB-guide 21. VA 2021-afr-financial-results 22. Veterans First Act 23. How to Build and Nurture Customer Relationships Through Social Media 24. SBA IT System Development Methodology 25. Successful Government Marketing 26. Webpage Links 27. Beginners Guide to Branding 28. Executive Guide to Branding 29. a_guide_to_networking 30. complete-guide-to-networking 31. Networking Tips 32. how-to-use-linkedin-for-business 33. LinkedIn-Quick-Start-Guide 34. ultimate-linkedin-cheat-sheet-A4 35. Doing Business with the Air Force 36. Doing Business with the Coast Guard 37. Doing Business with The Navy Exchange Service Command 38. Business Opportunities with the Navy 39. How to do Business with the Army 40. Target Market Strategies 41. 8 Social Media Content Creation Tips 42. Social Media Marketing 43. Social Media Strategy for People Who Sell Stuff 44. GSA AFR FY21 - final 11-16 0930 45. GSA Contractor Reference Guide 46. GSA Multiple Award_desk_reference 47. GSA Pathways to Success DEC21_508 48. GSA Readiness Assessment DEC21 49. GSA Schedule Sales Query Instructions 50. GSA Small Business Resources 51. GSA Tutorial videos on Teaming 52. GSA Video Links 53. GSA Web Addresses 54. GSA-become an EMALL supplier 55. 10 tips and Bid Checklist 56. Bid-No bid Checklist 57. FAR 50 percent subcontracting rule update 58. Interested Vendors List in SAM 59. SBA proposals workbook 60. Teaming and JV Explained 61. Top 100 Federal Contractors FY19 62. FAR_Cost_Principles_Guide 63. FDIC Technical proposal Guide 64. NASA Earned Value Management Handbook 65. Tech prop Capabilities sample 66. Technical Proposal Outline 67. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL sample 68. The action verbs 69. Joint venture &Teaming Part 1 70. Joint venture &Teaming Part 2 71. Joint Venture 101 72. Joint Venture Agreement sample 73. Joint Venture Legal def 74. Joint Venture Legal-and-Teaming. 75. Joint Venture Sample-Technical 76. Business Ratios Guide 77. DCAA Accounting_System slides 78. DCAA Manual 79. DCAA SF1408-14b 81. DCAA_Contract_Audit_Manual_January_2015 82. DoD_EMALL_instructions-508 83. USCODE-Prompt pmt act 84. CDC Loans 85. SBA Lending Chart 86. 7a-Loan-Fact-Sheet-Borrower-Version 87. SBA Guaranteed Loan Application Forms 88. Bonding Guide 89. Bonding Guidelines 90. Surety Bonds-The Consumer Guide

Who this course is for:

Established Commercial business owners who want to expand into government contracting, plus veteran-owned, women-owned businesses, plus disadvantaged and HUBZone businesses seeking certification.

Learn Federal Government Contracting From An Expert

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction9 lectures • 1hr 17min

Certifications12 lectures • 2hr 17min

Marketing to the Feds9 lectures • 1hr 5min

General Services Administration (GSA)8 lectures • 2hr

Bidding on Federal Contracts12 lectures • 1hr 57min

Accounting For Government Contractors10 lectures • 1hr 48min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: