I noticed that a huge number of 8A applicants looking to win a government contract are visiting this blog and trying to find out what the DSBS# / Dynamic Small Business Search Number is.  The number is needed on the 8A application form.  Thanks to a comment left by Brisa Tapia in a post I wrote on the Dynamic Small Business Search the mystery can be revealed.  With Brisa’s permission, here’s what you have to do:

-Go to http://www.ccr.gov
-Click on ‘Dynamic Small Business Search’
-Search for the firm’s profile using the DUNS, or Company Name, or CAGE #, etc.
-Open the firm’s profile
-You will see the SBA Customer ID Number in the url (at the top of the page where the internet link is display. I.E., http://www…..)
-The SBA Customer ID Number is at the end of the link and normally starts with a “P” and follow with around 7 numbers (i.e., P0123456)

President Obama has set a deadline of President’s Day to get his $825 billion economic recovery bill passed so it is time to prepare how you are going to win stimulus package contracts.

According to a summary of the American Recovery and Investment Bill of 2009 investments will be targeted toward the following key areas:

• Energy – Objective is to double renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient (e.g. $16 billion will be spend repairing public housing to make them more energy efficient)
• Science & Technology – Help to make sure America keeps innovating by providing facilities, equipment and broadband internet access
• Infrastructure – Significant focus will be given to rebuilding roads, bridges and modernizing public buildings.  $30 billion dollars alone will be used for highway construction
• Education – Better classrooms, labs and libraries for America’s children so that they are better equipped to compete in the world economy
• Healthcare – Large investments in IT to computerize the healthcare system

Federal agencies will receive a good proportion of the money but billions will also find their way to state and local government agencies, presumably in the form of grants.  At the core of what the President is trying to achieve is to get money into the economic system so that it can find its way into the hands of small businesses.

If you run a small business you must now prepare yourself so that you are well placed to take advantage of President Obama’s strategy and win stimulus package contracts.  Here are 7 things you should be doing:

1. Make sure you are registered on the Central Contractor Registration database – you can’t be awarded a contract unless you are registered
2. Register also on the Small Business Dynamic Search as this is often where prime contractors will look to find small businesses to team with
3. Make sure you know your way around FedBizOpps – any federal contract over $25,000 will be published here
4. Consider whether you can attain any certifications.  There are a number of Federal small business certifications and many others at the state and local level for small, local and minority businesses.  Often contracts are set aside for businesses with relevant qualifications
5. Start teaming with experienced larger companies in your industry that already provide their products or services to government.  You can find out who those companies are by searching the FedSpending tool
6. Start proactively forming relationships with executives at federal, state and local agencies just like you would with any other prospect in a commercial company.  Don’t just wait for an RFP to be issued, even though it is government you are still selling to people and you need to network accordingly
7. Finally, think about how you can best position your business to win stimulus package contracts.  It may not be obvious at first how you can sell your product or service given the areas the Bill is targeting but it is more than likely you can.  Meet with government executives and discuss their needs so that you can start to best position and market your business

The economy is in recession and it will be for a while but government is booming.  There has never been a better time to focus your energy in this area.

The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) is a powerful online search tool that has 2 great uses:

1. A place to conduct market research on competitors, prospects or partners
2. An important marketing tool if you are a small business and want to win a government contract

Background

One of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) responsibilities is to negotiate with federal agencies a percentage of their annual expenditure that they will set aside for small businesses.  They actually negotiate the goals with each federal agency on an individual basis but the overall small business goal today is 23%.  Within this there are also specific goals for women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veterans, small disadvantaged businesses and Hubzone companies.

Are you a small business?

That is not a simple question to answer unfortunately.  The Small Business Act defines a small business as one “that is independently owned and operated and which is not dominant in its field of operation.”  The practical definition varies from industry-to-industry but is usually based on a mixture of employee numbers and annual receipts.  The SBA has a table that will help you understand if you qualify based on your NAICS code.  Access the table here.

Research tool

As a research tool, the DSBS provides a truly rich resource.  When you access it you are presented with an advanced search tool that allows you to generate a list of companies based on multiple criteria including geography (down to county level), industry, revenue and number of employees.  You are then presented with a table of companies that match your chosen criteria.  So, for example a search for companies that made uniforms for police, firefighters or school bands in Ohio returned 19 companies that were qualified as small businesses.  For each company you are able to drill down further and receive information on contacts, organization, ownership, certifications, products and even details of reference companies for some businesses.

Marketing tool

The DSBS is a database you should consider being part of if you are seeking to win government contracts as it is used by agencies to find companies that are certified as small businesses by the SBA.

By having a profile, you have the ability to present your company’s capability to anyone using the tool. While it is of particular use to federal agencies because they have to purchase a certain amount from small businesses, purchasing agents in local government agencies also frequently use it.  This is where decision-makers will go when they need to find out whether small businesses can provide them with the good or service they need.  In addition, as it is free and accessible by any company, it is also used by prime and other contractors seeking small businesses to be subcontractors and/or partnership opportunities.

How to be included in the DSBS?

The DSBS is part of the Central Contractor Registration database.  When you register with the CCR you are given the option to indicate whether you are a small business during registration.  If so, you will be asked to enter certain additional information that will populate the SBA so it can be accessed through the DSBS.

Just a final comment.  The user interface and design has a lot to be desired and can be pretty off-putting but don’t let that deter you, as it really is a valuable tool worth exploring.

UPDATE: If you are looking to find out what your Dynamic Small Business Search number is, I have written a post on it here