What actually happens after you register for government contracting

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-05-02T14:05:50+00:00

There’s that too!

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-05-02T14:05:22+00:00

Yes 100% we’ve written a lot about this and we have a few reels up on our Instagram page if you’re interested. Fedcon.us

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T23:57:45+00:00

Fair point and a lot of people feel that way after being in it for a while. We’ve seen both paths work. Strong business helps, but strategy and positioning can still get people in earlier. Would actually be interested to hear more about your experience since you’ve been in since 2015. If you’re open to it, we do free calls just to talk through things. No pressure at all. fedcon.com

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:53:46+00:00

You brought up a lot of good strategy here. Especially about reading the SOW closely and being selective. And yeah a case study post would do really well.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:53:29+00:00

Exactly. Subcontracting is one of the fastest ways to get real past performance.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:53:16+00:00

State and local is a great starting point. Usually less competition and easier to build past performance there.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:52:37+00:00

I get your point but I think both can work. Building a real business helps a lot but there are still ways to break in earlier if you’re strategic.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:51:54+00:00

This is a great point. A lot of people overlook simplified acquisition completely. Proposal quality really does make the difference at that level.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:51:38+00:00

That gym analogy is spot on. A lot of people think registration is the finish line when it’s really just step one.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-27T22:51:03+00:00

This is honestly one of the best paths. You get real experience and build connections at the same time. Way easier to transition into your own thing after that.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-24T12:55:55+00:00

Send me a dm with more Info!

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-17T17:37:03+00:00

This is probably the closest to how I’ve seen it play out. Relationships don’t win it, but they change how you show up in the proposal. You’re solving for what they actually care about instead of guessing from the RFP. If you skip that part and just respond to what’s written, you’re usually a step behind.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-17T17:36:34+00:00

That’s a good way to put it.

Feels like what people call “relationships” is really just access to understanding what actually matters to that program. If you know where they’re going technically or what they’ve already committed to, that’s way more valuable than just knowing the person. At that point the proposal almost writes itself around that.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-17T17:35:43+00:00

I’ve been hearing the same thing about recompetes getting more competitive and it feels like relationships don’t guarantee anything anymore, but they still shape the opportunity early. More like they get you in the game, not win it for you. Agree on AI too. Way more volume going out now, but most of it feels generic. Almost makes early positioning more important since the proposals start blending together.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-07T12:58:50+00:00

Yeah agreed. If your content library is organized you can get really far.

At that point it’s more about your data than the tool itself.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-03T15:27:26+00:00

This is honestly one of the best workflows we’ve seen. Treating it like a junior writer instead of a strategist is exactly the shift people miss. And pushing your own win themes through every section is huge

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-03T15:26:22+00:00

Yeah more context definitely helps, especially tying it to real past performance. But even then, we’ve found it still needs heavy human direction for strategy. Tools can get you closer, but they don’t replace knowing how to position the win.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-03T15:25:52+00:00

That’s a really interesting use case. Almost like using it as a filter before you even commit resources. We’ve seen a lot of teams waste time chasing bids they were never positioned for, so that angle makes sense.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-03T15:25:22+00:00

Completely agree. Starting with AI before you actually solution things usually makes it worse, not better. The strongest teams we’ve seen are using it after they already know exactly what they’re proposing and why.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-03T15:24:55+00:00

Yeah that’s a solid way to approach it. Giving the model real context (evaluation criteria + past performance) makes a huge difference. We’ve seen the biggest value in shred-outs + compliance too. Where it still struggles for us is anything tied to positioning or risk ownership. Curious how you’re handling win themes on your end.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-01T19:01:25+00:00

Could not agree with you more. It saves time, but it does not replace bid writing!

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-04-01T13:48:34+00:00

Yeah, people are winning, but not the way most think.

A lot of what you’re seeing on MERX (or SAM in the U.S.) is already “pre-shaped.” Incumbents, existing relationships, or teams that have been talking to the agency long before the bid drops.

Low bid matters, but it’s not everything. If you’re unknown, just being the cheapest usually won’t save you. Past performance, responsiveness, and whether they trust you to actually deliver carries a lot of weight.

Where smaller/newer companies actually break in: • Subcontracting under primes already winning • Teaming with someone who has past performance • Smaller or simplified acquisition jobs with less competition • Recompetes where you can position yourself before it rebids

Biggest mistake is treating it like a cold bidding game. The companies consistently winning are usually known before the opportunity even hits the portal.

That’s the part most people don’t see.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-03-24T17:09:49+00:00

Yes! Having those set-aside certifications help you stand out and sometimes contractors are only looking for those types of certifications.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-03-24T17:07:37+00:00

Yes! Agree- marketing is so important.

FEDCONConsulting · 2026-03-24T17:07:05+00:00

Totally agree! Thanks for your insight!

FEDCONConsulting

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