How She Landed Her First Government Contract As A Beginner

Landing your first government contract doesn’t happen overnight, and Ayanna’s journey is proof of that. It took a lot of learning and hard work but she made it happen.?

Ayanna, who used to run a rental business, found out about government contracting during a bootcamp for veterans. The bootcamp taught her not just about contracts but also how to start and manage a business.

Starting Her New Business

After the bootcamp, Ayanna created a new company just for government contracts. Even though she went on vacation soon after, she didn’t waste any time when she got back.?

She started learning as much as possible by watching videos, reading books, and even taking a few courses. She didn’t wait for her federal registration to be ready and started applying for state and local contracts right away.

Ayanna’s First Big Contract

Ayanna didn’t live in Iowa, but she found a grass-cutting contract there. She quickly called local landscaping companies and asked if they could help. Once she got their quotes, she added a small amount for her services and put together a proposal using Canva.?

She included screenshots of the landscaper’s reviews. Her proposal, which looked a bit like a school project, was rushed to UPS just in time to meet the deadline - and she won!

Smart Moves for Success?

One smart move Ayanna made was creating a new company specifically for government contracts. She wanted her business to be listed under consulting, not her rental business, so she wouldn’t be stuck in one industry. She also stayed proactive by applying for state contracts while waiting for her federal registration.

Lessons Learned About Contracts

Ayanna learned the hard way to always check the contract details. Her original contract for the grass-cutting job said it would last until November, but when she got the final paperwork, the dates had changed. She had to call her subcontractor to make sure they were still okay with the new schedule. It was a good reminder to read everything carefully.

Challenges with Insurance

Insurance was another challenge Ayanna faced. She found out that you usually need your own insurance to protect your business, even if your subcontractor has their own. When her contract was awarded, Ayanna rushed to find insurance and learned that some requirements are harder to meet. But with the help of a friend, she found the right insurance just in time.

Using Technology to Help

Ayanna also shared how she uses AI tools to speed up her work. For example, she uses a tool called Max AI to quickly pull key details from contract documents, saving her lots of time. She also uses AI like ChatGPT to help write parts of her proposals, which makes the whole process easier and faster.

What’s Next for Ayanna

After winning her first contract, Ayanna is already looking at more opportunities. She’s even bidding on a web design project in Nova Scotia. Ayanna uses a tool called RFP Delivery to find new contracts across the U.S. and Canada.

If you’re inspired by Ayanna’s story, then I highly recommend that you subscribe to my official YouTube channel right now for more practical advice about government contracting.

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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