Tag: cage code

Everything About the Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) Code

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Learn what is a CAGE code and what are the things you need to consider about this in registering in the SAM database!

WHAT IS A CAGE CODE?

The Commercial And Government Entity (CAGE) code is a five-character ID number assigned by the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

This code is extensively used within the federal government in order to support a variety of mechanized systems and provide a standardized method of identifying a given legal entity at a specific location.

This code may be used for a facility clearance or a pre-award survey.

DON’T WORRY ABOUT THIS CODE!

One thing that you should consider is that you do not need to have a CAGE code prior to registration. This will be assigned to you for FREE when you register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

What happens is once the Entity Registration is submitted for processing, information will be routed to the DLA for CAGE code assignment.

Once the CAGE code has been approved, it will be sent back to SAM and added to the Entity Registration.

If for any reason, there is an issue with your CAGE code, you will receive an email notification. Please follow the instructions in the email to address these issues.

RESOURCES

Having a CAGE code is just one of the steps in the SAM registration process. With other things that you need in registering as a vendor and doing business with the federal government, let GovCon Giants help you. 

Just visit our website and other social media platforms or check the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

You can also check these resources below to learn more about the topic above and other resources that you might need:

What is a CAGE Code?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcz-GpTaAp8&list=PL6-jBNNcc98uGELU5VdhxbF4ZWFqa9OLf

Where do I start?

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6-jBNNcc98vgItLSmWLW2nZfNv9gOFeJ

SAM.gov

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6-jBNNcc98vntvG28s7FkbA5ZHzh5ttR

Small Business Tips

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6-jBNNcc98s8Wokfs6Gg03bCuthc8bkk

Preparation Checklist for Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB)

Posted on by Eric Coffie

To help women have a level playing field with other business owners, the government created the woman-owned small business (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program. Check this article to get our preparation checklist and to learn more!

WOSB ELIGIBILITY

In order to be part of this program, you should be a small business with at least 51 percent owned by U.S. women citizens, and have women manage its day-to-day operation.

Check this link to learn more and see if you’re eligible.

WOSB PREPARATION CHECKLIST

1. Active SAM Registration 

Qualifying individuals include one or more women claiming 51% ownership should have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

Note: The firm’s DUNS number, EIN, and MPIN must exactly match their record in SAM.

2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship 

These could be a state-issued birth certificate, naturalization paper, or unexpired passport.

Note:  If your name differs from your submitted citizenship document, you may have to provide a proof of name change. These could be any of these: a state filed documents-official name change, marriage license, unexpired passport, or unexpired military ID with front and back copy.

3. Resume

Tailor your resume for your government business. With this, list your current ownership roles or duties with prior work experience. 

Note: This might also need a letter of explanation or technical licenses.

4. Existing Qualified Certification

If you are part of other small business programs, you need to provide the following:

  • 8(a) Program Participant – Most recent annual review letter. However, firms on their first program year may submit their initial approval letter.
  • CVE-Certified – certification letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Verification and Evaluation.

5. Ownership Documents 

Choose one according to your business structure:

  • Corporation
  1. Articles of Incorporation
  2. Copies of stock certificates (front and back)
  3. Stock Ledger
  4. Corporate Bylaws and any amendments
  5. DBA or Trade Name (if applicable)
  6. Business Documents noting the election of officers and key employees (most recent meeting minutes, joint venture agreements, or buy/sale agreements)
  •  Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  1. Operating Agreement and any amendments
  2. Articles of Organization and any amendments
  3. DBA or Trade Name (if applicable)
  4. Business Documents (joint venture agreements or buy/sale agreements, if applicable)
  • Partnership
  1. Partnership Agreement and any amendments
  2. DBA or Trade Name (if applicable)
  • Sole Proprietor
  1. DBA (Doing Business As) or Trade Name Certificate

ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WOSB PREPARATION CHECKLIST

In addition to all the things needed as a WOSB, you also need to provide your financial data showing your personal and business financial information, if you want to be an economically disadvantaged WOSB. 

These include the following:

  • A completed and signed IRS Form 4506-T, Request for Tax Transcript
  • Three most recent personal income tax returns (IRS Form 1040) including all schedules
  • Three years of business tax returns and all schedules, dependent upon on the number of years in business
  • Three most recent W-2’s, 1099s, or a letter of explanation of the source of income reflected on their personal tax return equal to the total wages for each specific tax year
  • An IRS Verification of Nonfiling Letter (VNF) for any year in which taxes have not been filed.
  • Detailed information regarding the value of all assets (including cash on hand and in banks, accounts and notes receivable, retirement accounts, stocks, bonds, real estate, personal property, life insurance, and any other assets), liabilities (such as loans, mortgages, tax debts, and any other liabilities), and income (including salary, investment income, real estate income, and any other income).

Note: SBA may consider a spouse’s financial situation in determining whether qualifying individual(s) are economically disadvantaged where the spouse has a role in the business (e.g. an officer, employee, or director) or has lent money to, provided credit or financial support to, or guaranteed a loan of the business.

RESOURCES

To expedite the process and to take advantage of the 23% small business set-aside goal of the government, it is best to prepare the files needed above. 

However, consider that the self-certification process has already ended last October 15, 2020. With this, you need to particularly register to the SBA’s new certification page or through the four organizations approved by the SBA. 

If you also want to learn more about the checklist above, then download this document below. You can also check the links for other resources below. 

With this in mind, let us help you achieve your goal in the federal marketplace. Join us here at GovCon Giants or check the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

https://govcongiants1.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ED-WOSB-checklist-for-SBA-certification.pdf

https://certify.sba.gov/prepare#wosb-anc

https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program

https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program

The First Steps in Winning Your First Contract as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)!

Posted on by Eric Coffie

Ever wondered how to get started? Here are the first steps in winning your first contract as a service-disabled veteran-owned small business!

FORM YOUR COMPANY

The first thing to start any business is the creation of a company. We don’t teach that here, but this is a necessary step if you want to do business with the government.

With this, if you need help with the creation of your corporation, you can send us an email at info@govcongiants.com and someone will be glad to help walk you through the process of creating a corporation in your state.

However, if you still need more reasons to incorporate your business, you can watch this video entitled, “Six (6) Reasons to Form your Corporation.”

GET REGISTERED

1. Get and register a DUNS Number. 

A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) is a nine-digit identification number assigned to identify your business and to track your company’s credit record.

While the SAM database is extending the transition from using the DUNS number to the New Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in April 2022, you still need to get your DUNS number before registering to the database. 

To obtain a DUNS number, you can either request via this toll-free telephone number, 1-(866) 705-5711, or through this website. 

Note: Getting your DUNS number is absolutely FREE and you don’t have to pay someone to get this done. Also, if your business is in various locations, then you need to get a different DUNS number for EACH business location.

If you want to know more about how to do this, then check this video on how to apply for a DUNS number. 

2. Register in SAM.

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the primary platform used by the government to check businesses dealing with each agency in the federal contracting arena. 

In registering, you primarily need to create an account on the database in order to register or update an entity. Then, afterwards, you can already fill out all the necessary information. 

Depending on the complexity of your business, your registration might take about an hour. It can also take an average of 7-10 business days to process your data because the IRS still needs to validate your  EIN/TIN information.

Other than that, you should update your SAM profile on an annual basis or when a certain change in your business information is made. The updating or renewal process might take for approximately an hour before it becomes active on your SAM profile. 

Note: There are many tutorials on the SAM web page regarding specific questions on how to register. If you want help from a real person, go to this site where you can request a live chat or just call 866-606-8220 from 8am–8pm for FREE.

GET CERTIFIED AS AN SDVOSB

To get certified as a  Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, you can visit the verification page of the US Veteran Affairs’ website or you may go directly to the Vendor Information Pages.

Prior to acceptance as an SDVOSB, you will need to create a user account, register online, and submit the necessary document for verification.

Since an LLC is the most common structure type for forming a business, this article is based on the LLC submission requirements. Other business structures will require more or less items, however the information is all listed under required documents for VIP Application.

With this, below are the list of pre-application documents needed to begin processing your application as an LLC:

  • Resume of all owners, directors, partners, officers, and other key personnel
  • Operating Agreement including all amendments
  • Certificate of Formation letter from the Secretary of State
  • Joint Venture Agreement (if applicable)

Note: These are the requirements at the time of writing this article in 2016. 

After you have submitted all the required information for certification, the Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) will review your documents and determine if any clarification is needed.

Assuming that you answer all the information in a timely manner, CVE will determine if your business meets eligibility criteria for becoming a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB).

FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER

This blog post only takes you through the first 2 steps of being a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) which are getting registered and becoming certified.

If you want to see how we got someone registered as an SDVOSB, then check this video about SDVOSB Vetbiz registration instructions for veterans.

After these first two steps, the other things that you need to consider in winning your first contracts is building your business. These include learning about your customers and your market and building relationships with them. 

If you want to learn about these, then take advantage of our resources down below. You can also join us here at GovCon Giants by visiting our website and other social media platforms or checking the new GovCon Edu where you learn everything about government contracting!

SDVOSB Vetbiz registration instructions for veterans – Eric Coffie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ot621Dvitg&t=333s

Eric Coffie interviews $50M SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8a Construction Firm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnvn4k-L3xY&t=430s

031: Raffa Gibbard & Renona Riddle Brown: Women Entrepreneurs Discuss VA Veteran Employment Track

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9j4o61MddI&t=87s

Veterans HELPING Veterans with “Doc” Wright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOB2Ig3zdjg&t=248s