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Winning Government Contracts for Dummies

4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 186 ratings
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Eric Coffie

In this course, #1 YouTuber on Government Contracting, subject matter expert Mr. Eric Coffie teaches you the in's and out's of doing business with the government.

By the time you finish the course your company should be registered to do business with FEMA, Army, Air Force, Navy in the System for Award Management portal.  He pulls no punches as he shares with you the steps that helped him generate more than $10 million in government sales.

Nearly 2,000 people have gone through this course successfully.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to setup a company to start bidding federal contracts
  • Minority certifications
  • Getting registered to bid
  • Small business programs

Syllabus

Eric Coffie background and Course Overview
Course Background
Basics of government contracting
Intro - What is a government contract
Read more

Understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business.

This is the foundation that allows you to qualify and bid. However to expand and take your business to the next level you may need additional resources.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides learners through the SAM registration process, which is essential for bidding on federal contracts and doing business with government agencies
Explains the basics of government contracting, which can be a lucrative but complex market for businesses of all sizes
Details the minimum requirements needed to enter the government contracting business, which helps learners assess their readiness
Discusses special programs for minorities, women, and veterans, which can provide advantages in the government contracting arena
Requires learners to register with SAM, which may involve providing sensitive business information and could be time-consuming

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Reviews summary

Foundational guide to winning government contracts

According to learners, this course offers a practical and actionable foundation for navigating the world of government contracting. Many found the step-by-step guidance, particularly on SAM registration and getting started, to be highly valuable. The instructor, Eric Coffie, is often described as knowledgeable and providing a clear roadmap. While primarily geared towards beginners, students appreciate the foundational knowledge needed to start bidding.
Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.
"Eric Coffie clearly knows his stuff and presents the information in a way that's easy to digest."
"His experience shines through, giving real-world context to the process."
"I appreciate Eric's straightforward approach and the valuable insights he shares."
"The instructor's personal anecdotes and experience make the content more relatable."
Excellent for beginners and foundational knowledge.
"If you're completely new to government contracting, this course is an excellent starting point."
"It covers all the essential basics you need to understand before diving deeper."
"Great course for anyone looking to start in government contracting! Provides a solid foundation."
"Perfect for beginners, but more experienced bidders might find it too basic."
Detailed help with SAM registration process.
"Navigating the SAM registration was my biggest fear, but this course walked me through every step."
"The specific modules on DUNS and SAM were worth the price of admission alone."
"Getting my company registered was so much smoother because of the clear guidance here."
"I wouldn't have been able to figure out the SAM process without this course's help."
Provides clear, actionable steps for starting.
"The course lays out a clear, step-by-step approach that simplifies what felt like an overwhelming process."
"I found the detailed instructions on getting registered in SAM to be incredibly helpful and easy to follow."
"Eric breaks down the initial stages into manageable tasks, making it less intimidating for a beginner."
"This course provided a great roadmap on the initial steps needed."
Could benefit from more advanced topics.
"While the foundation is solid, I wish there were modules covering proposal writing, bid analysis, or post-award processes."
"It gets you registered, but the next steps like bidding and winning contracts aren't covered in enough detail."
"Could use more in-depth coverage on finding opportunities and crafting winning bids."
"Provides the groundwork, but leaves you wanting more on the actual contract acquisition side."
May be too basic for experienced users.
"As someone with some prior knowledge, I found much of the content to be a review of things I already knew."
"The course is very much 'Dummies' level, which is great for newbies, but doesn't offer much for intermediate users."
"I was hoping for more advanced strategies or deeper dives into specific contract types, but this focuses purely on getting started."
"If you've already registered your company and SAM, this course might not add a lot of new information."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Winning Government Contracts for Dummies with these activities:
Review Basics of Government Contracting
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental government contracting concepts before diving into the course material.
Show steps
  • Review key terms and definitions.
  • Research recent government contracting news.
  • Identify potential government customers.
Draft a Capability Statement
Develop a concise and compelling capability statement to showcase your company's strengths to potential government clients.
Show steps
  • Identify your target government agencies.
  • Highlight relevant experience and past performance.
  • Showcase your NAICS codes and certifications.
  • Proofread and refine your statement.
Create a Bid/No-Bid Checklist
Design a checklist to help you efficiently evaluate government contract opportunities and make informed bidding decisions.
Show steps
  • List key criteria for evaluating opportunities.
  • Assign weights to each criterion.
  • Test the checklist on sample solicitations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Read Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for Dummies
Familiarize yourself with the FAR to better understand the legal and regulatory framework of government contracting.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on key sections relevant to your business.
  • Take notes on important definitions and clauses.
  • Consult the FAR when reviewing solicitations.
Develop a Proposal Template
Create a reusable proposal template to streamline the proposal development process and ensure compliance with government requirements.
Show steps
  • Outline the standard sections of a government proposal.
  • Develop boilerplate language for common requirements.
  • Incorporate branding and visual elements.
  • Test the template on a sample solicitation.
Attend Industry Events
Connect with other government contractors and government officials to learn about new opportunities and build relationships.
Show steps
  • Research upcoming industry events in your area.
  • Prepare an elevator pitch for your company.
  • Collect business cards and follow up with contacts.
Read The Government Contracts Reference Book
Use this book as a reference to deepen your understanding of government contracting regulations and best practices.
View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon
Show steps
  • Focus on chapters relevant to your business.
  • Take notes on key concepts and regulations.
  • Use the book to research specific contracting issues.

Career center

Learners who complete Winning Government Contracts for Dummies will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Contract Specialist
A Contract Specialist plays a vital role in negotiating, administering, and terminating government contracts. This course empowers individuals to set up their companies to bid on federal contracts, navigate the System for Award Management portal, and understand small business programs. For those who want to become a Contract Specialist, this course will be particularly helpful for understanding the initial steps of securing government contracts and the expectations of persons entering this industry. It will also help one understand the process of registering to bid and learn about minority certifications.
See salaries and explore the career path for Contract Specialist
Proposal Manager
A Proposal Manager leads the development and submission of proposals in response to government solicitations. This course provides foundational knowledge about government contracting, which helps Proposal Managers craft stronger, more compliant proposals. Learning how to set up a company to bid federal contracts and understanding the System for Award Management portal helps one to better tailor proposals to meet government requirements. Insight into the government's perspective and processes, especially regarding small business programs and minority certifications, is invaluable to a Proposal Manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Proposal Manager
Contract Administrator
Contract Administrators manage contracts from initiation through closeout, ensuring compliance and adherence to terms. This course helps Contract Administrators by teaching them the basics of government contracting. This includes setting up a company to bid federal contracts, getting registered to bid, and navigating the System for Award Management portal, all essential for managing government contracts effectively. One will also benefit from understanding the minimum requirements needed to get into this business and the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Contract Administrator
Small Business Liaison
A Small Business Liaison works within a government agency or prime contractor to promote opportunities for small businesses. This course helps because it explains setting up a company to bid federal contracts. It also explains getting registered to bid, and it explains small business programs and minority certifications. This knowledge is essential for identifying and supporting eligible small businesses. The course helps one understand the expectations of persons entering this industry, so that one can better manage these expectations and the expectations of others.
See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Liaison
Business Development Director
A Business Development Director focuses on identifying and pursuing new business opportunities. A course such as this one helps build a strong foundation in government contracting processes. These processes include setting up the company to bid federal contracts, getting registered to bid, and understanding small business programs. For someone looking to grow a business through government contracts, this course helps them understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business and the expectations of persons entering this industry. Additionally, the course helps with understanding certifications and licenses.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Director
Subcontracts Manager
A Subcontracts Manager oversees the process of awarding and managing subcontracts under government contracts. This course provides critical insights into the prime contractor's perspective, including setting up a company to bid federal contracts and navigating the System for Award Management portal. Understanding small business programs and minority certifications is crucial for selecting and managing subcontractors effectively. The experience can also aid aspiring Subcontracts Managers since it helps them understand the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Subcontracts Manager
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officers ensure an organization adheres to laws and regulations. This course helps those wishing to become Compliance Officers because it covers key aspects of government contracting compliance, such as understanding the System for Award Management portal and small business programs and minority certifications. It provides insights into the regulatory landscape that companies must navigate when engaging in government contracts. The course helps one to understand the expectations of persons entering this industry, so that one can better manage these expectations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer
Government Relations Specialist
Government Relations Specialists work to build and maintain relationships with government officials. This course provides a solid understanding of government contracting processes, which enables Government Relations Specialists to better advocate for their organizations. A key component of that understanding is learning how to set up a company to bid on federal contracts, navigate the System for Award Management portal, and understand small business programs and minority certifications. The course helps one understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business.
See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Specialist
Government Consultant
Government Consultants provide expert advice and guidance to government agencies on various issues. The principles taught include setting up a company to bid federal contracts, getting registered to bid, and understanding small business programs. Government Consultants leverage these principles to better advise agencies on how to improve their contracting processes. The course helps one understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business and the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Government Consultant
Government Affairs Manager
A Government Affairs Manager advocates for an organization's interests before government bodies. This course helps professionals become Government Affairs Managers because it covers the process of setting up a company to bid on federal contracts. A core component of the role is navigating the System for Award Management portal and understanding small business programs and minority certifications. The experience may additionally help one to understand the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Government Affairs Manager
Federal Sales Representative
As a Federal Sales Representative, your goal is to sell products or services to government agencies. This course may be useful to aspiring Federal Sales Representatives. It may assist in understanding how to set up a company to bid on federal contracts and how to navigate the System for Award Management portal, crucial for engaging with government clients. Moreover, it provides insights into small business programs and the registration process, which is helpful when prospecting and qualifying leads. The experience that can be gained from the course will help one understand the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Federal Sales Representative
Government Procurement Manager
The work of a Government Procurement Manager involves overseeing the acquisition of goods and services by government agencies. This course may be useful to aspiring Government Procurement Manager since it provides insights into government contracting, including setting up a company to bid, understanding the requirements to qualify and bid on projects, and learning about special programs for minorities, women, and veterans. Understanding the contractor side of government procurement helps one to become a more effective Government Procurement Manager. Exposure to the System for Award Management portal will also be useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Government Procurement Manager
Program Manager
Program Managers oversee the execution and delivery of projects or programs, often within government agencies. A course like this one can empower Program Managers with insights into the contracting side of government projects. This includes how companies set themselves up to bid on federal contracts. It also provides insight into the System for Award Management portal. The course helps one understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business. The course helps one understand the expectations of persons entering this industry, so that one can better manage expectations of all stakeholders.
See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager
Acquisition Analyst
Acquisition Analysts support the government procurement process by researching, analyzing, and recommending acquisition strategies. A course such as this one may equip an Acquisition Analyst with insights into the contractor's perspective. This includes understanding how to set up a company to bid federal contracts and navigate the System for Award Management portal. This is a beneficial complement to their understanding of government regulations. The course helps one understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business and the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Acquisition Analyst
Federal Grant Writer
Federal Grant Writers prepare proposals seeking funding from government agencies. This course may be useful to Federal Grant Writers. It touches on aspects of government contracting and registration. It is also useful for familiarizing oneself with government processes. The knowledge of the System for Award Management portal is also useful; one may learn how to navigate a complex government system. The course helps one understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business and the expectations of persons entering this industry.
See salaries and explore the career path for Federal Grant Writer

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Winning Government Contracts for Dummies.
Cover image
Putting Knowledge to Work
Save
Provides a simplified overview of the complex Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It is helpful for those new to government contracting. It can serve as a useful reference tool for understanding the rules and regulations governing federal procurement. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a more accessible entry point to the FAR.
Putting Knowledge to Work
Paperback
Check
Putting Knowledge to Work
Kindle Edition
Check

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Course image
Rating
4.3 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
2.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Eric Coffie
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Guides learners through the SAM registration process, which is essential for bidding on federal contracts and doing business with government agencies
Explains the basics of government contracting, which can be a lucrative but complex market for businesses of all sizes
Details the minimum requirements needed to enter the government contracting business, which helps learners assess their readiness
Discusses special programs for minorities, women, and veterans, which can provide advantages in the government contracting arena
Requires learners to register with SAM, which may involve providing sensitive business information and could be time-consuming
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