Strategic Ways Small Businesses Win in Government Contracting: Insights from Key Players Consultancy
- Cameil D. Williams
- Nov 13, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Welcome to Key Players Consultancy’s blog, "Key Players Connect". Key Players Consultancy created this space to leverage our 25-plus years of experience as thought leaders and advocates for small businesses within the government contracting arena.
If this is your first time here, we hope it will not be your last. For a bit of context, we believe that Stakeholder Engagement is the cornerstone of our work. This blog is a tool we employ to ensure ongoing engagement through sharing industry expertise in a variety of topics. In this post, we'll explore effective strategies for government agencies to bolster small business inclusion, growth and success. Check it out!
The Importance of Small Businesses: Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, bringing innovation, creating jobs, and driving growth. As such, it's crucial for government agencies to support these vital entities, especially in the government contracting space. You can also leverage your position to ensure that other businesses that do business with you understand as well.
Small businesses represent a significant portion of the U.S. business landscape. Specifically, the Small Business Administration (SBA) defined a small business as one that meets certain standards based on industry, revenue, and number of employees. According to the SBA, small businesses accounted for approximately 99.9% of all U.S. businesses. This figure underscores the critical role that small businesses play in the American economy, both in terms of their sheer number and their contribution to job creation and innovation. Generally speaking, these businesses have less than 500 employees and most businesses across this country meet this criteria.
How Government Agencies Can Support Small Businesses:
Prompt Payment Provisions: Since the beginning of time, cash flow is problematic for small businesses. Quick payments are critical for the financial health of small businesses. Government agencies can make a significant impact by ensuring prompt payments for services rendered. These provisions can easily be incorporated into all contract documents and purchase order agreements to ensure that they are widely accepted. Key to note, not only must government enforce prompt payment provisions but it must require its contractors and those wanting to do business with government to adopt the same.
Access to capital continues to be the number one challenge most small businesses face. Timely payments for services rendered can help relieve this longstanding burden and avoid creating additional financial burdens.
Fair Valuation and Payment of Services: Avoid undervaluing the services provided by small businesses. Fair compensation not only ensures the sustainability of these businesses but also encourages quality and innovation. It shows respect. It is unfathomable for working class people to ask other working-class people, to provide their professional services free of charge. While it is not recommended to ask that of anyone, it is safe to assume that everyone who works for a living relies on getting paid for their services. Unless you are working with a mutually agreed upon contingency agreement, or with self-proclaimed volunteers, please respect and understand the importance of fair compensation.
Encourage Small Business Utilization Personally and Professionally: Include provisions in contracts that encourage or mandate the use of small businesses. This approach opens up opportunities and fosters a diverse and competitive marketplace. Set the example. When you have a need for a good or service personally or professionally, use a small business.
Resolution of Contract Disputes: I recommend that my client begin with clear, concise, mutually agreed upon and understood contract language in an effort to avoid problems later. Nevertheless, what we know is that contract disputes are real and the emerge. Streamlining the dispute resolution process can save small businesses from potentially crippling delays and legal costs. Litigation is costly and cases are not always lost because of a lack of merit, it is often due to a lack of money. Contracting agencies can remedy this with the following suggestion.
Clear and Concise Contracts: Simplify contract language and structure. Clear contracts help small businesses better understand their obligations and rights, reducing the likelihood of disputes and misunderstandings. Go the extra mile to ensure all parties clearly understand.
Avoiding Cumbersome Requirements: Reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles can significantly lower the entry barriers for small businesses in government contracting. While there are a number of provisions that everyone must follow, in my experience, it has cost agencies more to enforce some of the unnecessary, burdensome provisions than the actual businesses earned. Reducing cumbersome requirements can not only help to reduce cost to the small businesses, it reduces the administrative burden on the agencies which results in cost savings as well.
Implementing Best Practices: Encourage practices like mentor-protégé programs, subcontracting opportunities, and regular feedback sessions to foster a supportive environment for small businesses.One area of contracting I fully support is the DE bundling of contracts to make them more manageable and accessible to small businesses. Business opportunities should not be so massive that the majority of businesses are unable to effectively compete for them. Consider breaking contracts down to reflect the demographics of the small business community.
At Key Players Consultancy, we are committed to working with individuals and organizations like yours to ensure effective program and project management services in the government contracting sector. Our extensive experience and expertise position us uniquely to help government agencies implement these strategies effectively.
Call to Action: If you're a government agency, corporation or even a non-profit, looking to enhance your support for small businesses, or if you are a small business seeking guidance in government contracting, contact Key Players Consultancy today. to discuss your unique needs.
With over 25 years of proven program and project management expertise, we offer unparalleled insights into government regulations and contract provisions. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and positive outcomes is rooted in doing what's right, with unwavering honesty and integrity. Partner with Key Players Consultancy to navigate the complexities of government contracting and achieve exceptional results.
Let's work together to create a thriving, inclusive government contracting ecosystem in your community. Contact us today www.keyplayersconsultancy.com!
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