Getting ready to submit my first proposal for an FBI OSINT IDIQ.
Currently coordinating with my subcontractor for the Technical Approach.
Also I would get a lawyer to review my subcontract agreement.
So I have two concerns regarding my software subcontractor.
It makes kind of complicated that it’s for software services. I don’t have thousands to shell out for a lawyer to draft up a subcontract. As I understand it, there are specific FAR Clauses that need to be pushed down from the prime contract to the subcontract.
There are also issues with software IP ownership.
I know that I also have to include the required work that falls within the scope of the contract. I just know how I should go about these putting these in the subcontract.
But this is company is highly rated, it has a 5.0 rating on Clutch.co. They don’t have federal past performance. But they have developed a lot of software for 500 fortune companies. I already have a good relationship with this company. I don’t know if I should aim for slightly larger contracts to bid on.
This isn’t for a particular contract as I haven’t submitted my proposal yet. I’m pretty much finished with my Technical Volume, the last section is the Technical Approach which I will fill out once I see a contract for NAICS that interests me.
So this could be a problem for my Pricing Volume, and plus I don’t really have any overhead and neither does this subcontractor.
I’m just stuck on these issues, where can I find subcontract templates and should I go after higher value contracts.
Hey guys, some updates on my Hubzone application. I finally was able to login to MySBA portal and finish/submit my application today, after 6-7 weeks of technical issues.
So to clarify, I had two different technical glitches on MySBA before it got resolved.
The first one was problems logging into MySBA, which meant that I had to verify my information. I got an email from the SBA saying my new SSN card photo was rejected, and told me that I had to upload a photo of my driver’s license. Which was finally verified and was able to sign in. Of course I had to call SBA tech support several times over the last 1-2 months to help me with this.
The second issue was with my Hubzone application, that started a week ago. Some of questions on the Sections wasn’t saved, kept looping back to the same page. Because of this I couldn’t sign and submit my application. I also forgot to upload the documents on the Hubzone Calculator part. But I again called tech support and they walked me through this got it fixed.
I apologize for not giving updates to those also struggling with this. SBA shouldn’t be this difficult to navigate, but it’s a bitch. SBA portal relies on outdated UI/backend.
Hopefully my application is approved, the documents are the hardest part. It’s particularly difficult when you have no employees and rent month-to-month.
I would strongly suggest calling SBA and Hubzone tech support, there are two phone numbers for both. Also check your email for any additional documents to upload.
But this is what I did after almost 7 weeks.
I would like to point out that it’s a myth that prime contractors need past performance to be awarded their first federal contract. It really depends on how you structure your proposal, specifically the Technical Volume.
It also depends on other factors like knowing what specific NAICS/PSC Codes you are in. Also building relationships with subcontractors is crucial.
Right now I’m finishing up my Technical Volume, particularly the Technical Capability. I’ve been coordinating with some subcontractors (software development companies) who are interested in subcontracting under my company.
Since this is software, I asked them technical questions regarding penetration/automated testing methods, authentication techniques, software deployment process, CI/CD pipelines, compliance in the SDLC stages. This also helped me.
So I’m almost ready to submit proposals while I wait for my Hubzone application review. Studying L/M and SOW for the required NAICS on past contracts is also useful as well in assisting with creating your proposal.
Two part question for other prime contractors providing software ( non-IT) only services.
Where can I find solicitations, preferably ones that include L/M and SOW attachments, for NAICS 541519, 513210 and PSC Codes DA01, DA10? I tried searching for past RFP’s for these codes for FBOP, FBI on SAM, but couldn’t find many. For example, out of 200 or posting for the Bureau of Prisons, out of 200+ postings I only saw 2-3. And it’s not much better for the FBI or ICE.
I’m reaching out to commercial software development companies who will act as subcontractors. I found these companies on Clutch.co. But none of them have responded. For software prime contractors on here, where do you network for subcontractors building and delivering the software applications? How do you vet these software subcontractors?
I’m almost done with my Technical Proposal, but it needs to be tailored for software specific contracts under these NAICS/PSC Codes for these target agencies.
I don’t like to vent on here but feel I have to. I’m still not able to sign in to MySBA Portal because of verification issues.
I uploaded a picture of my SSN card a few weeks ago on the login page and was immediately rejected within a day.
So I called the SBA technical support and I told him that my old SSN card was old, had creases and the signature was ineligible.
So he suggested getting a new SSN card which I did earlier this week. I uploaded the photo with the new card on Monday. The card wasn’t laminated, had the signature, included all four corners. The picture was clear.
I got an email from SBA yesterday saying that the verification for document had failed again and then it told me to upload a photo of my driver’s license which I did.
I don’t understand why SBA is having such a difficult time verifying my identity. There was nothing wrong with my first photo. I don’t know if my driver’s license photo will be rejected too.
I’ve been having registration issues for a month now with MySBA. I just want to apply for the Hubzone certification since I gathered all the documents I need.
I’ll call technical support tomorrow morning again, but it just feels like I get nowhere with this problem. There is no other document that I can submit.
Hopefully this gets resolved soon.