The acquisition process revolves around the development and operations of goods and services for the Department of Defense (DoD). At the core of the acquisition process are the civilian businesses that provide these goods and services. In order for any business to do business with the DoD they must understand and comply with many rules and regulations. These rules and regulations have been put into place to make sure there is fair competition for these goods and services in the marketplace and to protect the DoD from obtaining goods and services that don’t meet their needs.
Guide: Marketing to the DoD
Every organization that wants to do business with the DoD must:
- Be a legal entity in good standings
- Have an identified Product or Service Code:
- Have a DUNS Number
- Register with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR/PRO-Net)
- Have a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
- Meet Prospective Contractor Responsibilities
Marketing
Marketing your goods and services to the DoD can be difficult. However, there are tools that every company must become familiar with. These tools form the baseline for understanding what opportunities are available and how to take advantage of them. These tools are:
- SAM.gov: This is where the majority of all potential government work is advertised
- General Services Administration (GSA): This is where the government can go and buy pre-established good and services.
- DoD Office of Small Business Program (OSBP): (see Small Business Section)
- OSB Marketing to the Department of Defense: The Basics
- DoD Business Website Links
- Technology Broad Agency Announcement
- Understand current DoD Program Budgets (DoD Comptroller Website) (good source of potential work)
- See Market Research
Topics of Understanding
There are other topics that businesses should understand in doing business with the DoD.
- Contract & Legal
- Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS)
- DD Form 250
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
- Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS)
- Wide Area Workflow (WAWF)
- Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP)
- Sources of DoD Budget Information
AcqLinks and References:
- OSB Marketing to the Department of Defense: The Basics
- Government Contracting: The Basics
- DoD Subcontracting Program: The Basics
- DoD Office of Small Business Program (OSBP)
- Contractor and Vendor Payment Information Guidebook
- Website: SAM.gov
- Website: General Services Administration (GSA)
- Website: Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
- Website: DoD Office of Small Business Programs – Guide to Marketing to the DoD
- Website: DefenseLink – Contracts
- Website: Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS)
- Website: DAU Small Business Community of Practice (SB COP)
- Website: Wide Area Workflow
- Website: Air Force Business Center
- Website: Army Single Face to Industry Acquisition Business
- Website: Navy Acquisition Once Source
- Website: Acquisition Central
- Website: Federal Acquisition Jumpstation
- Website: DoD Business Website Links
- Website: DoD Marketplace Industry Resources
Updated: 7/12/2021