Government Contracting and Certification
12/05/2023
 By Katie Murray
“Government contracting.” “Small business certification.” You’ve heard the phrases before, but what do they really mean? And does it really matter for your small business? Maybe—and maybe not. Let’s cut through all the noise and define these phrases in a meaningful way for your entrepreneurial endeavors.  What is government contracting?Government contracting is the process that lets you sell your goods or services to the government and its various agencies. The government has a contract, or agreement, with you whereby it purchases what you do or make. And United States government agencies buy a lot from small businesses—more than $100 billion worth of goods and services each year! From market research to janitorial services, if you want to make the government your customer, there’s a good chance there’s a need for what you offer.  What is being certified as a “small business”?
Being certified as a “small business” is only significant if you’re interested in government contracting. Why? Because there are certain set-asides that the government must adhere to when they’re looking to buy goods or services—there’s a percentage of business set aside for different kinds of companies, including small businesses. (Others include woman-owned, veteran-owned, etc.) So, if you want to be a contender in the federal marketplace, your small business has to meet official criteria to be eligible for government contracts.
How do I certify my business as small?
First, make sure you do, in fact, have a small business. For most industries, SBA defines a “small business” either in terms of the average number of employees over the past twelve months, or average annual receipts over the past three years.
Then, when you know you adhere to the size standards, you register for government contracting. This process also serves the purpose of “certifying” your business as small.
Where can I get some help?
Starting out in government contracting can be overwhelming, but SBA has resources to help, both online and in local communities all across the United States. Available assistance includes:
• The Government Contracting Classroom: Online, self-paced training courses to fill you in on the government contracting landscape—from starting out to special programs
• APEX Accelerators: APEX Accelerators (formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or PTACs) offer local, in-person counseling and training services to businesses that want to sell products and services to federal, state, and/or local governments.
• How to Win Contracts: Learn how you can increase your chance of winning a government contract by researching the federal marketplace and taking advantage of SBA resources. Katie Murray is an author and moderator for the SBA.gov Community. She shares useful information for your entrepreneurial endeavors and help point you in the right direction to find other resources for your small business needs.
Source:US SBA
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