For Businesses Without GSA Contracts
Companies interested in bidding on GSA contracts should prepare by fulfilling applicable requirements and registering in the appropriate systems. Companies also may participate by seeking subcontracting opportunities with current contract holders.
Prerequisites for Government Contract Approval
To obtain any government contract, complete the following registration requirements:
1. Central Contractor Registration (CCR): Any organization wishing to do business with the federal government must be registered in CCR before being awarded a contract. Registrants are required to submit detailed company information, including:
- General information – Includes DUNS number (the data universal numbering system), Commercial and Government Entity Code, company name, federal tax identification number, location, receipts, employee numbers, and website address.
- Corporate information – Includes organization or business type and Small Business Administration-defined socioeconomic characteristics.
- Goods and services information – Includes North American Industry Classification System code, Standard Industrial Classification code, product service code, and Federal Supply Classification code.
- Financial information – Includes financial institution, American Banking Association routing number, account number, remittance address, lock box number, automated clearing house information, and credit card information.
- Point of contact information – Includes the primary and alternate points of contact and the electronic business, past performance, and government points of contact.
- Electronic Data Interchange Information* – Includes the EDI point of contact and his or her telephone, email, and physical address. (*Note: EDI information is optional and may be provided only for businesses interested in conducting transactions through EDI.)
To Register in CCR go to http://www.ccr.gov. Click on "Start New Registration”
2. Dun & Bradstreet Numbers (DUNS): A DUNS number is a unique, nonindicative nine-digit identifier issued and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet that verifies the existence of a business entity globally. Dun & Bradstreet assigns DUNS numbers for each physical location of a business. A DUNS number is required to start your CCR registration. To receive a DUNS number, you will need to provide the following information:
- Legal name
- Headquarters name and address for your organization
- Doing business as, or other name by which your organization is commonly recognized
- Physical address, city, state and ZIP code
- Mailing address (if separate from headquarters and/or physical address)
- Telephone number
- Contact name and title
- Number of employees at your physical location
To obtain a DUNS number go to http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or call 866-705-5711.
3. Online Representations and Certifications Application: This online system replaces most of the paper-based representations and certifications (reps and certs) in the solicitations with an Internet application. You must be registered in ORCA if the solicitation you are responding to requires that you have an active registration in CCR. To register in ORCA, go to http://www.bpn.gov, and click on “Online Reps and Certs Application.”
4. Federal Business Opportunities: All proposed federal contracts expected to exceed $25,000 are announced on FedBizOpps. Businesses seeking government work should visit the FedBizOpps often and register there to be notified of newly posted opportunities in their industries.
FedBizOpps is free and can be accessed at http://www.fedbizopps.gov.
5. Security Requirements: In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 , contractors must undergo a FBI fingerprint check and a personnel security investigation at the level of the national agency check with written inquiries.
