Construction Law

Tips to Prepare for the System for Award Management featured image

Tips to Prepare for the System for Award Management

Federal contracts are hot commodities in the world of construction. Competition is fierce, and winning bids isn’t easy, but if there’s one enormous positive that can’t be ignored, it’s this: the money. Before you can take on public projects, you need to understand how to submit a bid that is complete and competitive. An important component of this process is the System for Award Management, an official website of the U.S. government designed to facilitate business between private employers and the federal government.

In this brief article, a construction lawyer in Clarksville, TN, will provide several tips for contractors who wish to bid on federal projects through the System for Award Management. This process can be confusing for contractors that have never worked with the System for Award Management before. If you are having difficulty completing your registration or have registered incorrectly, you may not show up in the system. Furthermore, if information is missing from your account, you could be disqualified from obtaining contracts. Can your business afford to miss out on these potentially lucrative contracts? For assistance navigating the bid process or protesting a bid, consult a construction attorney in Clarksville, TN.

Consider These Tips During Registration

When registering for the System for Award Management, be certain that you are following all of these tips to avoid an issue:

  • Obtain a business Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This applies to all employers, even those who are registered as a sole proprietorship.
  • Research and identify the codes that apply to your construction business. Depending on how your business operates, you could require product service codes (PSC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes.
  • Obtain your unique nine-digit identifier, known as a D-U-N-S number, for your business at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
  • Determine whether or not your business meets the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard. Federal contracts valued at less than $150,000 are oftentimes reserved for small businesses. Woman- and minority-owned businesses are also prioritized.
  • Describe the work your company performs in a brief statement. This statement should be grammatically correct and free of erroneous information.
  • Select keywords associated with your business operations. For example, “general contractor” or “carpenter.”
  • Compile a list of accurate business references (i.e., business name, contact person, contract value and date range of work).

What If Your Bid Doesn’t Win?

If you aren’t awarded a bid, don’t worry, you’ll have more opportunities in the future; however, if you believe a bid was awarded to a contractor unfairly, a construction lawyer in Clarksville, TN, can assist you with protesting their bid. Alternatively, a lawyer can protect your bid against contractors attempting to protest your bid. We can even advise you on prospective federal contract opportunities that align with your business’s qualifications.

If you would like to speak with a construction law attorney in Clarksville, TN, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.