Cash In On Government Contracts

There is a plethora of money in federal government contracting, totaling over $500 billion in federal government contracts. Yes, it's there. And one of the ways you can cash in on these is through micro purchases.?

Finding Opportunities

The question is, how do you find these types of opportunities? My first recommendation is Unison. Unison is a marketplace where you must sign up to bid on opportunities. Many of the opportunities there are small, involving micro purchases or simplified acquisitions. Simplified acquisition just means it's a small purchase.?

There's also DIBBS, the DLA Internet Bid Board System, which offers a lot of smaller purchases. Again, you must register. This is something that will change your life, giving you the freedom you're looking for. So you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want, and however you want it, as long as it's legal.

For DIBBS you'll first need to register. They procure a variety of items, so there are a lot of opportunities. We secured a contract through DIBBS valued at over $20 million, focused on training and development. Additionally, we're involved in a multimillion-dollar contract with the State of Florida, providing staffing solutions. This contract also includes working with newsletter agencies, who, like many of us, appreciate printed materials and promotional items.?

But guess who's behind all those swag bags, printed materials, and pens? It's not a government employee; it's actually US federal government contractors. That's right, folks! I coached a gentleman who shared an incredible story with me. He made over $100,000 in just a few months by selling printed goods to the federal government. Can you believe it? Now, if you're wondering how to find such opportunities, GPO..gov is your go-to platform. Once you register at GPO.gov, you'll discover a plethora of opportunities waiting for you. The process is simple: buy items from Alibaba or any other supplier and then resell them to the government.

And by the way, your past experience doesn’t matter. Instead it's your ability to secure the deal that makes a difference. Take the government publishing office (gpo.gov) as an example. They're in the business of acquiring various goods, often through contracts. Where you source these items, whether it’s Alibaba or any other supplier, doesn't hinge on your experience. The focus is on your capability to fulfill the contract requirements, not your professional background.

Building Trust

One of our contracts is based in Hawaii, which is why we now have a team of five employees there. This contract exemplifies how building trust with an agency can lead to significant opportunities. Once an agency knows and trusts you, they are more likely to continue working with you, often preferring to repeatedly engage your services rather than seeking new contractors. This is because, much like anyone, agencies tend to stick with familiar, reliable partners. Consequently, it's common for government contracting firms to secure extensive work with a particular agency, thanks to established trust and a proven track record.

My journey was unique. As a graduate research student at Patrick Air Force Base, which is now part of the Space Force, I was positioned in a way that led to a significant opportunity. My ability to add value opened the door for me to enter the world of contracting. I've come across many people who are contractors, having worked for major companies like Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. They often reach out to me, expressing their confidence in their ability to do the work.

I found myself in a subcontractor role for a small business. However, I approached this opportunity with a specific mindset. I committed to using this as a stepping stone to grow my business, rather than just treating it as a job with a salary. Even though the pay was substantial, nearly $100,000, I saw the bigger picture beyond just the immediate financial reward.

The average salary in the United States is, well, under $55,000 a year, and for some, it's around $24,000. So, I was feeling pretty grateful and blessed. But deep down, I knew this wasn't 'it' for me. I wasn't sure how to get to where I really wanted to be or even what that would look like. All I knew was that this wasn't why I was put on this earth. This life wasn't the one I dreamed of. That's why diving into that first subcontract, which focused on diversity and inclusion, felt right. I got to work on subject matter expertise, assessments, analytics, and even helped with the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” repeal. I was part of a military leadership diversity commission too. All this diversity work was tucked behind me, paving the way for what was to come.

Expanding Your Reach

But I took that and ran with it. I used the side door, went out there, spoke at different places, and got to meet tons of people. And through that, I landed a paid speaking gig for the army, and not stopping there, I also got a paid training gig with the Army Reserves. What really pushed me to the next level - something I'll never forget, is when I spoke to a group from the National Guard out of the DC area.?

One woman came up to me afterwards and said, “Dr. Parks, Oh, we're going to work together.” And I was like, “Oh, my gosh, this is amazing.” It was because of the expertise and the value I brought to the table. They came to me for subcontracting in simplified acquisition, but it was because I put myself out there, over and over. I didn't just land that one contract and think, “Oh, I've made it. Life is all set.” Nope, I was out there all the time.

But that's just part of it. To bring in the cash from government contracts, you’ve got to have a physical address. It could be right where you live; you need a real address. You can use your home, or an office space like WeWork or Regis, something along those lines. What's crucial is having that physical space in your contract—not just a virtual office or a PO box. No, it has to be a real place. When I kicked off my flagship company, I went with my apartment's address.?

I understand if you're hesitant, but another route could be using a family member's address, just remember, you'll need a lease. Can you start with your home address? And then, when the cash starts flowing, maybe you switch it up? I don't know. All I'm saying is, without a physical address, you're not getting any contracts, no cash. That's the rule.

Learning from the Best

I also recommend scoping out a company that's doing exactly what you're aiming to do right now. Because, you don't need to reinvent the wheel - a blueprint already exists. Take TikTok, for instance. Did you know that as a federal contractor, you can't have it on your devices? I’m sure you didn't know that. That's a Dr. Parks exclusive because I'm in the game with actual contracts.?

When TikTok burst onto the scene, what did the big player Facebook do? They were like, “Oh my gosh, we’ve got to start copying them. We need something brief, something catchy.” LinkedIn introduced stories, and then, what did Instagram do? They rolled out Reels, essentially cloning TikTok and giving it a new name. This is business as usual.?

Think about all the burger joints out there - Smashburger, Burger King, McDonald's, Five Guys, Wendy's. You're catching my drift. No need to start from scratch. Do your homework. Check out who's leading the pack in your field, who their clients are, and ask yourself, “How can I do it better?” Plus, you may find a chance to subcontract, riding on the coattails of those who've already done the legwork. They've hunted, made the kill, and all you need to do is show up with your plate ready.

Micro purchases consist of the dollar amount. An example would be a few years back, a woman familiar with our training and development approached us. She needed an eight-hour course and planned to pay with her government credit card - a micro purchase. She mentioned her card's limit was quite low, around $3,000, but we made it work. Because she knew us, she trusted us. Not too long ago, we won a bid for a training course that was initially virtual but turned into an in-person event, all under $5,000. My point? Our contracts differ widely, and often, payment is as simple as a card swipe. Sometimes, it's personal connection that opens doors - other times, it's through official bidding channels like the Government Publishing Office and DIBBS.

Reflecting on a journey that started 10 years ago, winning my first $4 million, 5-year government contract was a pivotal moment. Back then, I was green - unfamiliar with payroll, lacking a proper handbook, and missing many pieces of the puzzle. However, I knew my capabilities and was determined to figure everything out. That contract opened up doors. It introduced me to incredible people and challenged me to grow. It's similar for you. Find out which companies have previously secured the type of work you're interested in. Who are their clients? What products or services do they provide? Even reaching out to manufacturers can reveal opportunities, like whether the military may need what you offer.?

The key is to know what excites you and what you can commit to long-term. Passion is important because if you don't believe in what you're doing, it's hard to convince anyone else. And remember, you're amazing and everything is possible.?

If you’re ready to take more notes about finding, bidding, and winning profitable contracts, then start watching my YouTube videos. Click here now to subscribe to my official YouTube channel.?

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I’m the author of the newly released book “The GovCon Winners Way: How To Win Government Contracts Faster Than Trying to Do It Alone!” At 28, I was awarded my first 5-figure federal government contract. I own and operate multiple government contracting businesses and have over $50 million in federal government contract awards. Today, I’ve helped my students win over $3M in Federal Government Contracts in less than 6 months, and I’ll help you, too!?

-#EverythingIsPossible