Generally, solicitation mailing lists of suppliers of items or services are the basis for government purchases. The small business that wants to sell to the Government should make sure its name is on all appropriate lists. Before this can be done however, the firm must know which agencies normally buy the products manufactured or the services offered by its company. Here is where the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help.
Government purchasing installations buying items or services offered by small firms work closely with SBA when seeking small business suppliers. If the firm supplies one item or just a few products or services, the SBA field office representative can tell the firm which agencies purchase those particular products or services.
Names and addresses of prospective military and civilian customers are available through SBA's field offices. When requesting information on
the location and names of possible customers, a firm must give SBA complete information on the line of products or services it can supply.
If a business can supply a variety of products or services, it should check a number of sources of information on Government purchasing. This
way, there will be less chance of overlooking potential opportunities. Helpful sources are the:
U.S. Government Purchasing and Sales Directory. This SBA publication is a comprehensive guide to the government's (both civilian and military) purchasing and sales activities. The directory lists products and services bought by the Federal government and indicates which agencies buy them and the proper purchasing offices to be contacted by potential suppliers. The directory also lists the types of surplus property sold by the government and locations of state offices as well as indicates SBA assistance available in obtaining surplus property.
Copies may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock Number 378-8310-82-13.
Business Service Centers of the General Services Administration. GSA acts as the purchasing agency for numerous items of equipment and supplies, as well as services used by Federal agencies. A small business owner can learn of items bought by GSA by writing to or visiting
the nearest GSA Business Service Center. These offices are located in Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Fort Worth, TX; Denver, CO; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA; Philadelphia, PA; New York, NY; and Washington, D.C.
Commerce Business Daily. This publication is issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Mondays through Fridays, except on Federal legal holidays. It lists proposed government purchases over $25,000, subcontracting leads, contract awards, sales of surplus property and foreign business opportunities. Proposed purchases to be solicited exclusively from small firms are also identified.
Copies of the Commerce Business Daily are available for reference purposes at SBA and Department of Commerce field offices. The publication may be obtained through an annual subscription of $260, first class, or $208, second class service, from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
