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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
What is a government contract?
HW #1
Intro - What does it mean to have a government contract?
What does it mean to have a government contract?
HW #2
Intro - Can anyone do it?

Understand the minimum requirements needed to get into this business.

HW #3
Intro - Can I work from home doing this?
Can I work from home doing this?
HW#4
Intro - Can the government buy the stuff themselves?
Why doesn't the government buy the stuff directly?
HW #5
Intro - How competitive is this business?
How competitive is this business?
HW #6
What are the expectations of persons entering this industry?
Intro - What type of team do I need?
Do I need employees or partners?
HW #7
Intro - What about certifications or licenses?
What type of licenses/certifications do I need to get a contract?
HW #8
Intro - What about set asides / special programs?
Are there any special programs for minorities, women, veterans?
HW #9
Getting Started
Intro - Tell me where to start?
7 Step Formula for Getting Started
HW #10
Intro - How do I create the corporation?
Creating your Corporation
HW #11
Intro - How do I register for my EIN?
Registering your company for tax purposes
HW #12
SAM Registration
Intro - How do I get my DUNS?
Getting your government Duns and Bradstreet number
HW #13
Intro - Tell me which NAICS code do I need?
Choosing your product/service NAICS codes
HW #14
Intro - How do I register in SAM?
Creating your account
Step 2: Login.gov
HW #15
Next Steps
Intro - Taking the first steps
How do I start bidding projects?
HW #16
Intro - What am I missing?

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.

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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.

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