Congratulations, you’ve made it through the proposal and negotiation phase and have won your contract!  First challenge - accomplished. Now to the bread and butter of what you do - performing the work.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Picture this - you finally win a federal contract only to realize you now need to scramble to figure out how to finance your new government contract.  Did you realize it could be up to 60 - 90 days from when you begin performance until when you see cash flow back to your business?  How will you pay your employees?  How will you make payments on the equipment you’ve leased?  What kind of terms and rates will you get on a term loan or line of credit when you’re scrambling at the last minute?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Happy New Year!  As we roll into the new year, it’s important to take a look and check in at some of the updates and proposals for small business rules and regulations that are set to take effect in 2019.

Here we highlight two major rules that have been enacted for 2019 and three proposed rules that may have a large effect on how government contractors and other veteran owned companies operate in 2019.

The potential for another partial government shutdown is looming on the horizon. Is your small business prepared? Let’s take a look at a few things you should know and remember from the 17-day 2013 shutdown that may affect you during another potential government shutdown.¹ 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Can’t seem to gain traction marketing to the federal government?

Wondering why your federal proposals aren’t winning?

See other contractors that seem to have the inside track on upcoming procurements?

As objective as the federal procurement process is, it is still run by people and relationships still play a large role in how those people view your business.  Taking the time to build relationships with a solid foundation can help your business gain traction in the federal government, earn credibility in proposal evaluations, and gain an inside track on upcoming procurements. 

The U.S. Government constantly adjusts and grows as new needs arise with changes in technology and resources. As the nation's largest consumer, the government needs an army of contractors to support its massive consumption requirements. As a result, the benefits available through government contracts are abounding. Veteran contractors are perfect candidates to fill this growing landscape because of your previous employment by the government. You’ve also learned lessons, acquired tools, and made contacts from your military experience that could be valuable in the government contracting space.

Are you looking for a way to expand your business? Government contracts can be very lucrative, offering exposure and the potential for future work. However, they can also be complex to navigate and it helps to know the lay of the land before you start. Let's walk through the best tips from top government contractors that you should know before submitting your first bid. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

In the world of small business where cash is king, a business’ cash flow is a key indicator of their financial health. For businesses that are facing cash flow issues or problems with slow accounts receivable, there is an alternative solution for finding cash in a pinch that doesn’t involve taking on conventional debt through credit: factoring.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates. 

You may have heard the enticing fact that the Federal government spends over $500 billion each year buying goods and services from industries. Competing for a piece of that pie is tempting, especially when you hear that over $100 billion is spent just on small businesses. You may be worried that there has to be some kind of catch though. It can't be that easy to win government contracts and walk away with millions of dollars.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions, policies, or positions of StreetShares or any of its affiliates.

Stuck in the past performance loop? You can't get federal contracts without past performance, but you can't get past performance because you can't get federal contracts.

How do you break into this cycle?

The first part is understanding why past performance is so important in federal contracting: