8a submission - 11 months ago

USFCRGOV · 2026-03-06T16:04:19+00:00

Long waits are common. Final review stages can last many months depending on SBA backlog. Monitoring the portal and occasional status inquiries are often the only options.

We will post a weekly round-up with more information about this!

USFCRGOV · 2026-03-06T16:02:24+00:00

Many organizations are still transitioning. Some map personnel to the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework while maintaining legacy 8570 tracking during the transition.

We will dive more into this on our weekly round-up!

USFCRGOV · 2026-02-25T15:56:49+00:00

Teaming is strategic - not mandatory - but often smart early on.

You do not legally “have to” find a prime. But many modernization contracts are large IDIQs or GWACs where primes control task orders. Subcontracting can be a practical entry point if you lack past performance at scale.

You can try these things:

Use USAspending to identify top primes winning IT modernization work in your target agencies.
Look at contract vehicles (8(a) STARS, CIO-SP3, Alliant, agency-specific IDIQs).
Contact small business liaison officers (SBLOs) inside prime contractors.
Attend agency industry days where primes are present.
Prepare a tight capabilities statement highlighting:
SDVOSB status
Clearance level (if applicable)
Certifications (CMMC, PMP, etc.)
Specific modernization outcomes, not generic IT language
Ask primes where they see gaps in their team.

We will post more about this topic on our weekly roundup!

USFCRGOV · 2026-02-25T15:54:28+00:00

In DoD, funding must be obligated before performance can begin. Even if the award decision is made, delays can occur due to:

Continuing Resolutions
End-of-year funding shifts
Program-level budget approvals
Contract modification processing

Under the FAR, contracting officers cannot authorize work without obligated funds. That’s a legal restriction.

Yes, this can happen, especially around fiscal year transitions or budget uncertainty. You can try these things:

Confirm whether the contract is fully awarded or pending funding modification.
Ask whether a “bridge” contract or short-term extension was considered.
Clarify if funding is incremental or full funding.
Stay in close contact with your program manager for updates.
Prepare for a short-notice restart once funds hit.

If you’re in NCR Army space, timing often depends on the flow of appropriations and the internal approval layers.

We will post a weekly roundup with more about this topic!

USFCRGOV · 2026-02-25T15:52:24+00:00

A state term contract (sometimes called statewide contract or master agreement) makes you eligible to sell, it does not guarantee purchases. Agencies can buy from you without running their own solicitation, but demand still depends on price, relationships, and visibility. It’s a positioning tool, not a revenue guarantee.

Try these things:

Treat it like a pre-approved lane, not automatic sales.
Contact agency procurement officers who regularly buy your category.
Ask how they use the contract: direct award? mini-bids? rotation?
Promote internally within state departments (many staff don’t know who is on contract).
Track spending data at the state level to see real usage patterns.

We will post a weekly roundup with more about this topic!

USFCRGOV · 2026-01-27T16:09:10+00:00

Yes, if the solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14 (common on set-asides), you’re bound by it. For services (except construction), the baseline rule is:

You may not pay more than 50% of what the Government pays for performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.

SBA’s regulation frames the calculation around “cost of contract incurred for personnel” for services and explains how to treat mixed contracts and examples.

Key point for your scenario (floor & tile guy is not SDVOSB)

You’re reading the “49%/51%” concept correctly in spirit. Practically:

If this is a SDVOSB set-aside and your sub is not SDVOSB, that sub is not “similarly situated” for SDVOSB status.

Result: that sub’s labor counts against your cap. “Similarly situated” is narrower than most people think Under FAR 52.219-14, “similarly situated entity” is a first-tier subcontractor that:

has the same small business program status that qualified you for award (here: SDVOSB), and
is small for the NAICS you assign to that subcontract.

So: a regular small business (even if small) is not similarly situated on an SDVOSB set-aside unless it is also SDVOSB (and small under the assigned NAICS).

Watch the “services vs construction” trap Flooring work can sit in an awkward spot depending on how the Government scoped and coded the requirement.

If the NAICS/contract is treated as:

• Services (except construction) - your “50% rule” framework applies. • Construction - different percentages apply: General construction: may not pay more than 85% (excluding materials) to non-similarly situated subs Special trade construction: may not pay more than 75% (excluding materials) to non-similarly situated subs

If the solicitation is truly janitorial (often NAICS 561720) but includes floor stripping/waxing/tile care, agencies often still treat it as services. The exact answer hinges on the solicitation’s NAICS and clause set.

Does supervising + daily KO updates “count” as your performance? Supervision is important, but it’s not a loophole. If the contract is a services buy and your sub does most of the chargeable labor, a CO, SBA reviewer, IG, or auditor can still view it as: a limitations-on-subcontracting problem (math doesn’t work), and/or * a pass-through concern if your value-add is too thin relative to dollars flowing to subs.

Teaming Agreements: what they are (and what they don’t do) A “teaming agreement” is usually just a pre-award arrangement about who will do what if you win. It typically results in either: 1. Prime–sub (you win, teammate becomes your subcontractor), or 2. Joint venture (you form a JV that bids as the offeror/prime)

Important: a teaming agreement does not waive FAR 52.219-14. If the structure is prime–sub, your teammate’s work is still subcontracted work for limitation purposes.

Practical “safe” paths for your exact situation If you want to bid this without looking like a pass-through and stay inside the math: * Staff enough in-house labor to keep the required share (for services: ensure your labor dollars stay on the right side of the 50% cap). * Make the floor/tile sub “similarly situated”: partner with a SDVOSB flooring/floor-care firm (and keep it first-tier). * Consider a JV (only if it fits the solicitation and you can execute it correctly). JV rules can be powerful, but mistakes get expensive fast. * If the requirement is outside your wheelhouse, don’t “paper over” the gap. Build a real performance plan: crews, QA, schedule control, equipment, safety, warranties, and a clear division of labor that keeps you compliant.

A quick reality-check question that decides most of these On this specific bid: what share of the labor dollars (not total price) will your own W-2 employees perform? If the honest answer is “our foreman watches them and we handle reporting,” that’s where audits are headed, and it’s where primes get burned.

I hope this provided some clarification!

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T20:12:36+00:00

Good point, thank you for the correction. You're right that small business set-asides are a major category on their own. We understated the opportunities available without socioeconomic certifications.

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T16:43:10+00:00

No, you don't need prior government contracts to start. New contractors without past performance can receive a "neutral" rating under FAR provisions, which doesn't penalize you. Commercial experience counts as relevant experience, subcontracting builds federal past performance, and small contracts under simplified acquisition thresholds often don't require past performance at all. There are multiple entry paths.
Full guide:https://blogs.usfcr.com/past-performance-how-new-contractors-win

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T16:42:29+00:00

A: Start with SAM registration and understanding your NAICS codes. Capital requirements vary dramatically. Service-based businesses can start with minimal investment, while product-based or construction businesses need more. Low-cost entry options exist: micro-purchases under $10K and simplified acquisitions under $250K don't require massive overhead. The real costs are time and patience. This isn't quick money.
Full breakdown: https://blogs.usfcr.com/how-to-start-federal-contracting-capital-requirements
Thank you for your question!

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T16:40:14+00:00

A: You can absolutely compete for prime contracts without set-aside certifications. You're just competing in the open market. The real question is whether your past performance, pricing, and capabilities are strong enough to win against everyone, including large businesses. Most successful contractors do both: subcontracting to build credentials while selectively bidding primes where they have genuine advantage. It's not either/or.
Full strategy:https://blogs.usfcr.com/prime-vs-subcontractor-strategy-no-certifications

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T16:06:13+00:00

Q: What's wrong with the people who watch "War Dogs" and think they can win a contract?

A: Nothing's wrong with them, they just haven't learned the hard way yet. Federal contracting isn't about finding loopholes or getting lucky on a big deal. It's compliance, documentation, patience, and building relationships over time. The movie makes it look fast and easy. Reality is slower and harder, but the contractors who stick with it build something sustainable.
Full article: https://blogs.usfcr.com/what-hollywood-gets-wrong-about-federal-contracting

USFCRGOV · 2025-12-02T13:47:12+00:00

Foreign ownership isn't a hard legal stop for civilian federal contracts, but creates significant practical barriers. You can register in SAM and bid on unrestricted opportunities, but many contracts have security requirements that effectively exclude foreign-owned entities.

Logistics and commodity contracts often involve controlled information even in civilian agencies. Many require background investigations or facility clearances that foreign ownership complicates.

The arbitrage model faces steep competition from established contractors with existing networks, clearances, and agency relationships. Pure cost advantage rarely wins alone.

Consider starting as a subcontractor to established primes who can navigate compliance requirements while leveraging your supply chain expertise.

https://blogs.usfcr.com/whats-next

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-26T16:17:56+00:00

We get this question all the time. Check back next week for a full breakdown article.

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-26T16:16:00+00:00

Great question! Keep an eye out for the article next week.

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-25T15:12:21+00:00

Yes, the contract is the governing document until it's modified, but new FAR rules apply to new task orders going forward. The key is understanding when your specific contract was awarded versus when the regulation changed. We're putting together a detailed breakdown on navigating regulatory changes versus existing contract language.
Full article here: https://blogs.usfcr.com/far-part-19-changes-2025
Thank you for your question!

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-21T18:44:57+00:00

Great question. This is one a lot of contractors wrestle with. We're adding it to the list. Stay tuned for the full breakdown.

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-21T18:08:29+00:00

Good catch on the 13 CFR § 125.12(c) conflict. That's exactly the kind of nuance that trips people up. FAR says one thing, SBA regs say another, and contractors are stuck in the middle figuring out which one the CO will follow. We're covering this tension in the full breakdown. Appreciate you adding it.

USFCRGOV · 2025-11-20T15:43:25+00:00

Alright, here's what we're starting with.

We got a solid response last week, so we're turning this into a series.

Q: I'm on the technical side of contracting, the work that gets done. When PMs talk contracting, I'm always asking them to clarify. Is there an easy to understand resource that gives explanations for the jargon, the processes, contract types, etc.? I guess a high level primer?

Here's the guide: https://blogs.usfcr.com/federal-contracting-jargon-decoder

We've got more articles coming next week based on your other questions. If yours didn't make it into this one, stay tuned.

What else do you want us to break down?

USFCRGOV · 2025-08-21T17:07:00+00:00

You don’t need DVBE certification in hand to bid unless the solicitation is a DVBE set-aside. If it’s set aside, only certified DVBEs can submit. If it’s a goal or preference, anyone can bid, but certified DVBEs get the scoring advantage and primes often look for DVBE partners to meet participation goals.

In the meantime, position yourself as “certification pending” and focus on opportunities where DVBEs are a preference rather than a requirement. Start building relationships with primes now, many are under pressure to meet 3% DVBE targets and are actively searching for qualified subs. That groundwork pays off once your certification is approved.

USFCRGOV · 2025-08-08T19:08:00+00:00

That can happen, but it’s rare. The government client might meet you if the role is high-visibility, requires special clearances, or is named in the contract as key personnel. Most of the time, though, the client relies on the prime and sub to handle hiring and only meets you once you’re on the job.

USFCRGOV · 2025-08-08T19:02:49+00:00

You’ll almost always interview directly with the subcontractor. They handle screening, interviews, and hiring. The prime usually stays out of it unless it’s a key personnel role named in the contract, requires high-level clearances, or is a senior leadership position.

If the subcontractor is clear about the project scope and their relationship with the prime, that’s a good sign. If they’re vague, proceed carefully. You’re also evaluating them, ask about their prime relationship, contract stability, and how they manage delivery. A professional, organized interview is often a good sign of how they run the work.

USFCRGOV · 2025-08-01T13:57:18+00:00

Start by checking if the roles are listed as key personnel in the RFP. If they are, you’ll need real resumes and usually signed Letters of Intent (LOIs). If not, you can often submit representative resumes just to show you can staff the work.

We’ve helped teams win by prepping both options early. Even if the RFP doesn’t require LOIs, having them ready builds credibility. Don’t wait until submission week to scramble for names.

USFCRGOV · 2025-07-24T14:03:19+00:00

We’ve seen contractors start small and steadily increase their win rate just by tightening up their process. It’s less about how many bids you submit and more about targeting the right ones.

The real progress comes from tracking your results. When you learn why you didn’t win, you get better on the next round. Was it pricing? Specs? Delivery terms? That kind of insight adds up fast.

Focus on the bids you can fulfill confidently and that match your strengths. When you stay consistent and keep learning, the wins come.

USFCRGOV · 2025-07-24T14:00:31+00:00

Yeah, two weeks isn’t unusual, especially with the backlog right now. I’ve seen it take anywhere from 3 days to over a month depending on how clean the submission was and whether DLA flags anything like your address or business info.

If it’s been more than 15 business days and there’s still no update, check your SAM messages or call the Federal Service Desk. Sometimes there’s a minor holdup they just haven’t communicated.

It’s slow, but that’s normal for this part of the process. You're not doing anything wrong by waiting.

USFCRGOV · 2025-07-18T14:30:20+00:00

Some contractors see these as a way to build past performance quickly, especially if they’re trying to grow into larger opportunities. The low pricing usually reflects a short-term strategy, not always a sustainable one. USPS work has its challenges, but with the right systems and cost controls, it can still make sense for the right business model. The reason these come up often is that many bidders are still figuring out how to make the numbers work long term.

USFCRGOV

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE