Basics of Government Contracts

Start Here for Government Contracting

Before you begin with Bidspeed you will need the following information:

  1. NAICS
  2. D-U-N-S Number
  3. CAGE Code
  4. Set-Aside Code
  5. Register with ORCA
  6. Capability Statement

Step 1: NAICS

Find primary NAICS codes (North American Industry Classification System)

If you do not have a NAICS code please read more about the NAICS system.

  • NAICS Codes – North American Industry Classification is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. Adopted in 1997 to replace the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system.

Step 2: D-U-N-S Number

This number is needed first before you can obtain a CAGE code (step #3)

Register with D&B https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform or Phone 1-866-705-5711 You will receive your D-U-N-S number in 1 business day.

  • Duns and Bradstreet (D&B) is a provider of credit information on businesses and corporations. This number is a means of identifying businesses entities on a location-specific-basis and is required by the federal government for contractors or grants.

If you do not have a D-U-N-S Number please click here

Information needed:

  1. Legal Name
  2. Trade style, Doing Business As (DBA), or other name by which your organization is commonly recognized
  3. Physical Address, City, State and Zip Code
  4. Mailing Address (if separate)
  5. Telephone Number
  6. Contact Name
  7. SIC Code (Line of Business)
  8. Number of Employees at your location
  9. Headquarters name and address (if there is a reporting relationship to a parent corporate entity)
  10. Is this a home-based business

Step 3: CAGE Code

  • Is a five digit code which identifies companies doing or wishing to do businesses with the Federal Government. This number is also used to support a variety of mechanized systems throughout the government

In order to obtain a CAGE Code you will first need to register with SAM (formerly CCR)

For more information about the CAGE Code please click here

Register at SAM with the following link:

https://www.sam.gov Takes 3-5 business days and need to renew annually.

  1. Assigns Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code is a five character ID number used extensively within DoD and NASA and is assigned to vendors automatically as they go through the CCR registration process.
  2. Assigns Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) is a personal code that allows a CCR registrant to access other government applications such as grants.gov and IAE systems such as PPIRS, FBO, and ORCA.
  3. Assigns Trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN) It confirms that you are successfully registered at CCR and is used to update or renew your registration. It should remain confidential at all times.

 Step 4: Set-Aside Code (Socio Economic Business Classification)

  • Determine what Socio Economic Classification your business would be
  • Part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) implements the acquisition- related sections of the Small Business Act, which states that federal agencies conduct a variety of procurements that are reserved partially or totally for small business participation.

For more information about Set-Aside Codes please click here

Socio Economic Business Classifications:

  1. Small Business Size Standard – check if qualified as a Small Business (Need NAICS code, based on either number of employees or revenues)

Small Business – A business concern eligible for assistance from the SBA, is one that is organized for profit, with a place of business located within the U.S. It must operate primarily within the U.S. or make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through the payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor. Together with its affiliates, it must meet the numerical size standards as defined in the Small Business Size Regulations, 13 CFR 121. www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/officials/size/table/index.html

  1. Minority-Owned – A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by, one or more members of a socially and economically disadvantaged minority group, namely U.S. citizens who are African Americans (Black), Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans and Indian Sub-Continent Americans.
  2. Women-Owned – A business that is at least 51% owned by, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women who are U.S. citizens.
  3. Veteran Owned – A business that is a least 51% owned by one or more veterans, who control and operate the business. Control in this context means exercising the power to make policy decisions and operate means to be actively involved in the day-to-day management of the business. The term “veteran” (38 U.S.C.’101(2)) means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released there from under conditions other than dishonorable.
  4. Service Disabled Veteran (SDV) – A business that a veteran with a disability that is service connected. The term “service connected” means, with respect to disability or death, that such disability was incurred or aggravated, in the line of duty in the active military, naval or air service. (38 U.S.C. ‘101(16)).
  5. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) – Small Disadvantaged Business: New certification eligibility criteria established by the SBA effective 7/1/99. All firms must be certified by one of the SDB Certification Agencies designated by the SBA. To qualify must be a small business, not exceed standards for Primary SIC, meet Contracting Officers’ assigned SIC code, be a U.S. Citizen and be 51% owned and controlled by one or more Socially & Economically Disadvantaged Individuals. The SBA classification is based on a Preponderance of the Evidence Clause” this SDB Certification is good for 3 years.
  6. 8(A) Designation – The 8A designation is given to small companies owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons, so that they may bid and obtain federal government contracts and other assistance to develop their business. The business owner must be eligible under the same rules and guidelines set down by the federal government. Certified by SBA
  7. HUBZone Certified – A business that is operating in a certified historically under-utilized business zone. There are 7,000 qualified census tracts (HUD) and 900 qualified non-metropolitan counties. Certified by SBA

All of these Set-Aside Categories are self-claimed except

–          Competitive 8(a)

–          HUB Zone

To claim that you are either of these socio economic disadvantage businesses you must register with ORCA: Online Representations and Certification Application

At the following website: https://orca.bpn.gov/login.aspx?actntype=validDuns

To register with ORCA you will need a MPIN and DUNS Number

Step 5: Register with ORCA

  1. Register at ORCA (On-line Reps & Certs Application) https://orca.bpn.gov/

Prior to ORCA, vendors were required to submit Reps and Certs for each individual large purchase contract award. Now, using ORCA, a contractor can enter their Reps and Certs information once for use on all Federal contracts. This site not only benefits the contractor by allowing them to maintain an accurate and complete record but also the Contracting Officer as they can view every record, including archives, with the click of a mouse.

Step 6: Capability Statement