Tag: 8A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Top 10 NAICS Code for 8a Spending this 2021

Posted on by Eric Coffie

There is no denying that being an 8a certificate holder is already a step ahead in the government contracting industry, as it allows your business to have first-priority claim to various contracts without even having to bid for them, but is that enough?

8a firms that develop good marketing strategies in the federal marketplace are doing significantly better than those who don’t. 

If you are interested in finding out which industries have been winning this 2021, here’s the top 10 NAICS Code for 8a that have grown and thrived. 

1. 541512 

It is no surprise that the computer systems design services are first place on this list, especially with the accelerating rise of the digital economy, people are shifting to the world of tech and are looking for people to help them with that.

This industry specifically refers to establishments that partake in planning and designing computer systems that integrate computer hardware, software, and communication technologies.

2. 561210 

Establishments in the facilities support services industry provide operating staff to perform a combination of support services within the client’s facilities. 

The people in this industry are the reason why things are miraculously always in order and clean. No wonder this comes second! Having properly managed facilities is vital for a facility to function effectively and efficiently.

3. 541611 

Administrative management and general management consulting services provide operating advice and assistance to businesses and other organizations on administrative management issues.

In simpler terms, businesses involving this industry manage people, information, and other resources with the goal of achieving organizational goals.

They are essential in making businesses run smoothly, thus they have been in demand in the market because it is a known fact that companies will struggle without them.

4. 236220 

You’ll have no trouble understanding the commercial and institutional building construction industry since it is very self-explanatory. These are the people involved in constructing commercial and institutional buildings.

These buildings are of different kinds, such as stadiums, grain elevators, and indoor swimming facilities. 

More specifically, this industry is geared more towards the on-site assembly of modular or prefabricated commercial and institutional buildings.

8a firms are very successful in their award of federal construction contracts which is why 40%+ of all 8a firms are in the construction field. 

5. 541519 

The other computer related services industry and the industry ranking first on this list might be similarly compared, since both have the “computer” label on them, however they do have a significant difference.

Other computer related services are those who provide computer disaster recovery or software installation services.

They do not offer services such as custom programming, systems integration design, and facilities management services, as these services are offered by the computer systems design services industry.

6. 541330

Engineering services is actually a very broad one since they pertain to a variety of engineering companies. From construction to electrical to chemical, the list goes on. 

Generally, establishments in this industry involve the provision of advice, preparation of feasibility studies, preparation of preliminary and final plans and designs, provision of technical services during the construction or installation phase, inspection and evaluation of engineering projects, and related services.

So basically, any business that applies physical laws and principles of engineering in their design and development of products or services are a part of this industry.

7. 561612 

Security guards and patrol services are also one of the more self-explanatory ones. They are the establishments that provide guard and patrol services, such as bodyguard, guard dog, and parking security services.

Do not confuse this with the NAICS code 56162, although they have the same goal, 56162 is more aimed towards the selling of security systems and remote monitoring of electronic security alarm systems.

8. 541712 

This comprises establishments primarily engaged in Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology).

People in this industry are scientists. They conduct research and experimental developments in the  field of science and mathematics. From biology to chemistry to veterinary, the spectrum that this industry covers is wide.

Note: The NAICS Code 541712, however, is no longer valid. The NAICS Code that should be used instead is 541715. Unless the requirement is dealing with nanotechnology, in that case, the code 541713 should be used. 

9. 541990 

All other professional, scientific, and technical services are one of the industries that are harder to classify as the examples are quite wide. Services such as business brokers, construction estimation, and handwriting experts are included in this industry.

Generally, these establishments offer professional, scientific, or technical services, with the exclusion of legal services, architectural, engineering, computer systems design, management, scientific, technical consulting services, etc.

10. 541513 

Computer facilities management services are those establishments primarily engaged in providing on-site management and operation of clients’ computer systems and/or data processing facilities. 

Seeing that companies are shifting to the digital era, as means to manage their businesses, this industry is on high-demand.

This industry, however, is closely related to another NAICS code, 518210, which is the data processing, hosting, and related services. The difference is that 518210 provides hosting or data processing services while 541513 is more on on-site management.

RESOURCES

If you are stuck with an 8a certification and want to learn how to navigate the program, check out this video entitled, “The 8a BD (Business Development) Program fully explained,” to know your way around the industry. 

To also learn more about all things NAICS, you can check out the website here. Information found in this article is taken from the official open data source of federal spending, found here.

Patrick Heffler: FAMILY-OWNED Construction Company Grows 10,000% Using 8a BD Program

Posted on by Eric Coffie

President and CEO of a family-owned construction company, Patrick Heffler shares how their business grew using the 8a program and how he uses his father’s values in continuing the business.

BACKGROUND

Patrick Heffler is the President and CEO of Heffler Contracting Group,  a San Diego-based 8a and HUBZone certified federal contractor, providing customized contracting solutions for federal and military installations.

At a young age, his father taught him the values of hard work by urging him to work on weekends and do tasks including digging ditches and estimating numbers.

After graduating with an economics degree from the University of San Diego, he then purchased the company from his father and accomplished his first contract which is a parking lot expansion project at the San Diego Office of Education complex on Linda Vista road.

“I learned from the bottom and I learned working side by side by, with people that work hard. I understand the work ethic. I understand what’s involved. And he would work me on the weekends and I didn’t argue. I loved it.”

THE 8A BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

When the 2008-2009 credit crisis and recession hit the United States, Heffler’s revenues were destroyed and his company plunged into the federal marketplace and thought of joining the 8a business development. However, in order to win contracts and clientele, they need to provide value. 

“‘Hey, what’s going to give me a competitive advantage over other contractors?  What’s going, how can I utilize my ability to do good work, show integrity, not be a change order contractor, and provide that to the client?’ The 8a program was the solution. And not that the 8a program is a free ticket in any aspect, it just gives you, instead of a cold call, it gives you a warm call.”

But before diving directly into the program, he decided to do a research. He interviewed 18 successful and unsuccessful contractors and asked questions about their goals, achievements, and mistakes while in the program.

What he found was the contractors who treated the program as a long-term business development and sustainment program gained success in the long run. Meanwhile, those who only looked at it as a means of attaining low hanging fruit failed and didn’t win any contracts after their graduation. 

“There are so many people out here that have the 8a certification that have no idea how to use it. They don’t even know why they got it. Someone told them about it, right? And they go into it completely blind, not knowing the program, not knowing how to leverage the program, how it’s supposed to work, what it’s supposed to do for them.”

Then, after 18 months of hard work in finishing the application process, Heffler was then approved on the program. During their first years, they roughly had a $320,000 revenue with one employee but today, they already have a revenue of $32 million with almost a hundred full-time employees. 

THE REAL KEY TO SOLE SOURCE

Heffler and his team is not just bidding for contract opportunities, they are also responding to sources sought notices.

An example that he gave was how they responded to a sources sought notice in 2018 and then responded again in 2019 for other sources sought but with the same person. In those times, they never know what will happen but just this year, they got a call asking if they are still interested in the opportunity. 

“You know what? The government didn’t let a lot of the people that we worked for, contracting operators, specialists, whatever they may be. They don’t want to have a lot of time. They don’t have a lot of resources, a lot of time to deal with things, but you got to find every opportunity to contact them.”

However, also consider that not all sources sought will equate to an opportunity because there are other contractors that might be more qualified for the job. 

Still, continue doing so because you might not be qualified for that certain job but the contracting officer may have another opportunity for you where you can do the project without losing revenues.

FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE

Patrick Heffler believed that the family-owned construction company won’t achieve this success without their people. And this is one of his obstacles: finding the right people who want to expand their footprint and understand what they’re trying to do and accomplish. 

“I’m very clear when I interview anyone that comes into the company. I’m not here to have you work on one particular project. I’m here to have you work the rest of your career here… but it’s up to you to do it. You need to live it up, live up. And I will live up to my expectations as well. So that’s the way I treat it. And sometimes it works out.”

One of these people that he’s lucky to work with is his friend Jesse Tovar who has the analytical side of things and is not afraid to tell him if things will not work out and the reason behind it. 

So, like how his father inspired him in managing the company, he is also treating the company and the people behind it as part of his family. 

“I think a lot of people that come to work for Heffler, they’re coming here because they’re inspired by what we’re trying to achieve and they want to be part of it and they want to belong. They want a family and they want to belong to it. And I think I got that from my dad.”

RESOURCES

If you want to watch the full video of the interview with Patrick Heffler as he shares how their business grew using the 8a program and how he uses his father’s values in continuing the business, then be sure to click the link down below.

068: Patrick Heffler – Family-Owned Construction Company Grows 10,000% Using 8a BD Program

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/podcast/068-2/

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 FAMILY OWNED 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Construction Company Grows 10,000% Using 8a BD Program

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY9gh0tHbQU&list=PL6-jBNNcc98vTBvNhFYfUTeH0k-Vx2VBH&index=65