Selling to the Government
The federal government is the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. The U.S. government purchases nearly $200 billion a year in goods and services. Federal contracts include everything from complex space vehicles to janitorial services to cancer research. By law, federal agencies are required to establish contracting goals, so that 23 percent of all government purchases come from small businesses.
It can be difficult for small businesses to navigate these procurement processes that require bids and proposals. Wisconsin offers the following resources to help smaller businesses obtain government contracts. These programs provide technical and marketing assistance to Wisconsin businesses interested in selling their products and services to all branches of government.
Wisconsin Institute: A nonprofit organization established in 1987 to "bridge the gap" for Wisconsin companies interested in supplying their products and or services to federal, state, local agencies and prime contractors.
WI guides, trains and provides hands-on assistance to firms in developing government business and improving process and technical capabilities to access and compete in the Government marketplace.
VendorNet: VendorNet provides easy access to a wide variety of information of interest to vendors who wish to provide goods and services to the state as well as state agencies and municipalities. Bidding and the time required to identify new vendors is minimized while vendors are automatically notified of opportunities in their area of interest.
Small Business Administration also has a number of resources to assist small businesses access federal contracting opportunities.
Wisconsin Security Research Consortium (WSRC) WSRC will help lead companies through the process of applying for federal grants and seeking federal contracts. WSRC will spearhead efforts to apply for grants to conduct classified or sensitive research in areas where the federal government has identified a need. Those areas include biodiesel, rapid response, engineering physics, composite materials, water and food security, biometrics, vaccines, biosensors and more.
Check with your county and local municipalities for other opportunities.
Related links:
Department of Commerce
E-Business