Your potential customers will never issue you a contract if they can’t find your business. Registering your business with the apporopriate entities is crucial for you to take your business to the next level.
 

Registration:

• Join NaVOBA at www.buyveteran.com.
   
• Determine your company’s North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code(s) at www.navoba.com/NAICS.
  Your NAICS code(s) is/are critical and will be used repeatedly throughout the government contracting process. These 6 digit codes are used to; register in the CCR, the SBA profile and in the VIP. Contract specialists use them during market research and prime contractors use them to search for qualified subcontractors. They’re used when applying for certifications. They’ll even be used as part of your marketing materials.
   
• Determine if your company is considered a “Small” business at
  www.navoba.com/sizestandards
  Why is that important you ask? The SBA has negotiated a contracting goal with federal agencies and large prime contractors that says 23 percent of all federal contracts will be awarded to small business.

• Register your company with Dun & Bradstreet at www.dnb.com or call 866-705-5711.
  

  Before you can register your company in the CCR, you must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Getting a FREE DUNS number and registering in the CCR are among the first steps you need to take to market your business.
   

• Register your company on the Central Contractors Registration (CCR):  www.ccr.gov
  The government can’t award you a contract if you’re not registered in the CCR and if your registration isn’t current. Only about 5 percent of businesses are registered in the CCR and being registered there places you ahead of 95 percent of the other competing companies out there.

• Register in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) at Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) run by the VA:  www.vetbiz.gov
  To enjoy the Veterans First contracting priority with the VA, you must be registered and have your business ownership status verified by the CVE.

TIMOTHY WOODS is a retired Army officer and service-disabled veteran.  Tim is also a Certified Business Development Specialist in Government Contracting at the North Texas Small Business Development Center with the Dallas County Community College District.  To learn more visit www.facebook.com/VeteransBusinessResources.

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