Prime-Sub Relations
If, after assessing the capabilities and capacity of your business, you conclude that you are not ready to bid competitively for prime contracts, consider the opportunities available through subcontracting. Business Thru Government can assist you in responding to solicitations as a prime contractor. Subcontracting, is both an opportunity for less-experienced business, and also as a vehicle to enhance your qualifications to become more competitive to perform as a prime contractor. Over the years, several laws have been passed regarding subcontracting to small business. These laws require prime contractors having contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold to provide maximum practicable subcontracting opportunities to small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and women-owned small businesses. The clause "Utilization of Small Business Concerns," must be included in all federal contracts exceeding this threshold.
Finding subcontracting opportunities is a difficult process for companies without existing prime contractor relationships. You need to sell the prime contractor at about the same time the prime is selling to the government. Business Thru Government researches projects on your behalf many months before the public announcement comes out. Finding decision-makers within prime contractor companies can be as difficult -- if not more difficult -- than finding them in the federal government. Business Thru Government finds the decision-maker or a "hidden" contract manager, not the person in the prime's more visible contracting organization.
If you want to subcontract for a prime contractor, you may be asked to submit a proposal. Prime contractors usually have specific information they want to see. You'll likely receive a request for qualifications (RFQ) or request for proposal (RFP) explaining these requirements. Business Thru Government puts together a professional, compelling proposal that gets your company the job.