James Mingey ⋅ Oregon City , OR Veterans Business Services ⋅ 25 years experience

The prior answers offer a good track for all federal procurement. I might suggest that you also research FedBizOpps to find a product/service which you believe you will have core competency for. Then, track down a contract officer for the item, call them to explore. If you can get to DC, go arrange an appointment with the SBA Veterans Small Business Department to explore the subject with them face-to-face..

Ray Martinelli ⋅ Flanders , NJ U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Michael,

I agree with all above.

Once you get those established make sure to market yourself in that capacity as well (SB, VOSB, or SDVOSB). It may be very beneficial to market to your company in that capacity to current accounts who perhaps can open new doors.

Easy to change e-mail signatures, business cards, where marketing documents, etc. may take a bit.

Best Regards,

Ray

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

And also request assistance from a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and SCORE.org

http://www.aptac-us.org/
score.org

Frank Morales ⋅ Universal City , TX Hickory Ground Solutions ⋅ 25 years experience

Michael,

You may also want to take a look to see if you qualify for the 8(a) Business Development Program which allows you to negotiate non-compete direct awards from Federal clients as well as pursue competitive 8(a) contracts. You'd have to qualify as a small disadvantaged business with the qualifying information being listed on sba.gov.

Joe Paschall ⋅ Madison , AL nLogic, LLC ⋅ 26 years experience

Michael, you ask a very involved question without sharing any of your background as to what steps you have already taken so the best I can offer is this:

1. Determine a competency that you can compete in with personal expertise.
2. Register as SB ASAP, register as VOSB as soon as your take off the uniform, and register as SDVOSB as soon as you get your VA rating. Register for HUBZone if applicable.
3. Find a customer that you have a personal relationship with and look for opportunities to support them.
4. Build relationships with larger companies that enable you to learn the capture/proposal process.

The real answer here could take many pages but I have already given you twice as much as you gave us to work with.

Joe