Dealing with the Federal Government

Overview/Description
 The federal government is a complex bureaucracy, as well as an important potential client. How can you improve your odds of winning a contract? What information do you need to know about budgets and other resources, and the process of making connections with agencies and groups within the government, to be able to bid on contracts and make sales? In this course, you will learn about the budget process, how the federal government publishes its project proposals, methods to build useful relationships to support your business plans, and how to bid on and procure government contracts.

Target Audience
 Business professionals who sell goods and services to the federal government, and those persons who must deal with the federal government to obtain permits, licenses, and address other regulatory needs.

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Making Connections

  • recognize the benefits of learning how connections are made in Washington.
  • identify budget activities based on the phase of the budget process to which they belong.
  • identify examples of the services of special interest groups.
  • match lobbying tactics with corresponding examples.

    • The Procurement Process

  • recognize the benefits of understanding how the federal government procurement system works.
  • identify general aspects of government procurement required under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
  • identify features of the government procedure for small purchases.
  • identify the steps associated with responding to an Invitation for Bid in a given procurement scenario.
  • select statements that accurately reflect the guidelines for preparing a winning proposal.

    • Working with the Federal Government

  • recognize the benefits of knowing how to work with the federal government.
  • identify sources of federal government market information.
  • identify features of oral presentations regulated by FAR.
  • identify aspects of the regulatory requirements governing proposal negotiations.
  • identify the features that set federal government contracts apart from commercial contracts.

    • Course Number: IND0104