First Steps to Government Contracting Flyer for Arkansas Small Businesses wanting to get started in Procurement prepared by Laura Miller, Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center

1. First Steps into
Government Contracting
First Steps for Securing Contracting Opportunities
1 Know Your Federal Tax
Identification Number 2 Have the Proper Business
Licenses and Permits 3 Determine Your
NAICS Code(s)
An Employer Identification Number Regulations vary by industry, state The North American Industry
(EIN) is also known as a federal and locality. Not complying with li- Classification System (NAICS,
Tax Identification Number (TIN) censing and permitting regulations pronounced “nakes”) was de-
and is used to identify a business can lead to expensive fines and put veloped as the standard for use
entity. Generally, businesses need your business at risk. The Small by federal statistical agencies in
an EIN/TIN. This is a free service Business Administration (SBA) of- classifying business establish-
offered by the Internal Revenue fers a search tool that allows you to ments for the collection, analysis,
Service. get a list of federal, state, and local and publication of statistical data
permits, licenses, and registrations related to the business economy
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/ you need for your business. of the U.S. Your accountant/CPA
article/0,,id=97860,00.html
can help determine the NAICS
http://www.sba.gov/content/search-business-
licenses-and-permits code applicable to your business.
http://www.naics.com/search.htm
First Steps for Registering as a Federal Contractor
1 Obtain a D&B
DUNS® Number 2 Register Your Business
in CCR 3 Register Your Business
with ORCA
A Dun&Bradstreet DUNS (Data ® Central Contractor Registration The Online Representations
Universal Numbering System) (CCR) is the primary database of and Certifications Application
Number is a unique nine-digit iden- vendors doing business with the (ORCA) is an e-government ini-
tification number for each physical federal government. Federal Ac- tiative designed to replace the
location of your business. The as- quisitions Regulations require all paper-based “reps and certs”
signment of a DUNS Number is prospective vendors to be regis- process. ORCA requires you to
free for all businesses required to tered in the CCR prior to the award certify that the information pro-
register with the federal govern- of a contract, basic agreement, vided about your company and
ment for contracts or grants. basic ordering agreement, or blan- its business activities is correct.
ket purchase agreement. Federal
https://iupdate.dnb.com/iUpdate/ contracting officers use the CCR https://orca.bpn.gov
companylookup.htm
to search for companies based on
ability, size, location, experience,
ownership, and more.
https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx

2. Contracting Resources
for Small Businesses
Local Contracting Opportunities
Contact local elected officials for information on city or county ASBTDC offers free business
contracting opportunities. consulting and market research
• County Judges http://www.arcounties.org/counties services to Arkansas small
• Mayors http://local.arkansas.gov/index.php businesses.
Federal and State Procurement Opportunities
Federal and state agencies place procurement opportunities on
Call on Us
their websites. Many federal agencies use the Federal Business
Opportunities website. ASBTDC
Lead Center
https://www.fbo.gov
University of Arkansas
Arkansas Procurement Assistance Center at Little Rock
501.683.7700
APAC is an economic development program operated by the Uni-
versity of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. APAC offers Regional Offices
free counseling and consulting (to Arkansas businesses only) on
Arkansas State University
any issue related to selling goods or services to public agencies.
870.972.3517
http://www.arcommunities.org/APAC.htm
Arkansas Tech University
U.S. Small Business Administration 479.356.2067
SBA offers numerous resources for contractors. Henderson State University
870.230.5184
http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/contracting
Southern Arkansas University
Federal Emergency Management Agency 870.235.4007
To do business with FEMA, request a vendor profile by register-
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
ing with the Acquisition Industry Liaison (AIL) program. The pro-
479.575.5148
file as well as additional tips can be found in the document “How
to Do Business with FEMA,” available on the FEMA website. University of Arkansas at Monticello
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/privatesector/industry/do_business.pdf 870.460.1910
This document is designed to help small companies get started doing business with the government and does not represent
an exhaustive listing of resources. ASBTDC encourages you to seek and utilize the many federal and state resources available.
Contact the ASBTDC near you for assistance.
For more information call 1.800.862.2040
asbtdc.org
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S Small Business Administration
through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. UALR is committed to the policy of
providing equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate in employment, admissions, programs, or any other educational functions and services on the
basis of sex, age, disability, race, and national origin, color or religion.