Federal Contracting Made Easy, Second Edition (Paperback)

by Scott Stanberry (Author) "Our federal government (a.k.a Uncle Sam) uses a specific process to acquire the supplies and services needed to run its operations or fulfill its mission..." (more)
Key Phrases: negotiated procurement procedures, targeted industry categories, cancellation ceiling, United States, General Services Administration, Department of Defense (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
I have read and re-read [this] book and find it to be a treasure trove of information on the 'how to' of federal contracting very well done! It has a place of pride on my desk as a reference. --Michael Thompson, Configuration Management Supervisor, Computer Sciences Corporation

I have read and re-read [this] book and find it to be a treasure trove of information on the 'how to' of federal contracting very well done! It has a place of pride on my desk as a reference.
--Michael Thompson, Configuration Management Supervisor, Computer Sciences Corporation

I have spent more than a dozen years working in the federal contracting industry, and Stanberry has penned the only book on government contracting that has earned a permanent place in my reference library my well-thumbed and annotated copy is on my desk, right next to my computer. --Michelle L. Hutchens, ProCom: A Proposal Communication Company --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
How to Find, Apply for, Win, Manage, and Get Paid for a Government Contract.

Here is a step-by-step guide to doing business with the biggest customer of all: the U.S.government. Written in plain English, not government jargon, Federal Contracting Made Easy explains the process in terms that are easy to understand and follow.

This second edition has been completely updated with the most current resources available to federal contractors. Whether you are an entrepreneur seeking government business for the first time or a current contractor with years of experience, Federal Contracting Made Easy offers you a treasury of proven methods. You’ll learn how to identify new contracting opportunities, enhance your efficiency, and boost your profitability when doing business with the federal government. With over 2,500 buying offices nationwide, the federal government needs a huge array of products and services. This practical handbook will help you find your opportunity.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Management Concepts; 2nd edition (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567261582
• ISBN-13: 978-1567261585
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #474,085 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #6 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Law > Administrative Law > Public Contract
  #6 in	Books > Nonfiction > Law > Administrative Law > Public Contract

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear roadmap out of the quagmire, February 20, 2002

By	Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Federal Contracting Made Easy (Hardcover)

This book is not only an essential guide for small and medium businesses seeking federal contracts, but also serves as an excellent resource for companies that bid for commercial contracts.

The five parts to this book form a clear roadmap to doing Federal Government business. Part I gives the big picture and rules of the game. These rules cover the sources of contract terms and conditions that you are going to see in any federal contract, including applicable laws with which you need to comply and the role of agencies such as the Defense Contract Auditing Agency. If you've never engaged in a federal contract these rules will determine whether you should even be in the game.

Part II describes special programs and opportunities available to certain businesses, subcontracting (especially useful if your business model is to team with prime contractors), and Federal Supply/GSA opportunities for companies selling finished products. Part III describes marketing strategies for federal business. This area is vastly different from marketing to commercial entities, but is similar in many respects for going after business at the state and county government level. This information is also useful when you're marketing to large companies that do government contracting, such as aerospace. Their procurement policies and processes will probably mirror those of the Federal Government.

Although Part IV is about government procurement and acquisition procedures, most large companies have similar procedures, so this part of the book is useful for both government and commercial contracting. Part V is my favorite because it explains in great detail each contract type (fixed price, cost reimbursement and other types and variations). This information is applicable to both government and commercial business and the in-depth treatment that the author gives is the best I've seen. If you're considering or are engaged in government contracting this book is one that should be close at hand, both as a reference and as training material for your project managers, marketing staff and anyone who is a part of a proposal team. I also highly recommend augmenting this book with Robert S. Frey's Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Businesses - the combination of both books will give you and your company a significant advantage in winning and keeping federal contracts.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best general book on government contracting available, October 26, 2003

By	Citizen John (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Federal Contracting Made Easy (Hardcover)

I've read many books on government contracting. I think this is the best primer on the market. Chapters are well-organized and the writing is succinct. The graphics are useful, including government forms, rate calculations, sample cost formulas, and more. The bid formula example for a small disadvantaged business (p.63) and the progress payment schedule (p.253) are just 2 of many excellent and easy-to-understand graphics.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From the Horse's Mouth - Where's the Best Value, January 18, 2006

By	Eyes Have It - See all my reviews

Currently a member of the Federal Acquisition workforce, I see this book covers the gamut, as we know it. Particularly impressive is its coverage of GSA. GSA is a prime Federal market research tool. This can give prospective contractors an idea of what government organizations regularly buy, and government contacts for soliciting business.

As an insider, there does still exist widespread indirect nepotism; cronyism; military who roll into contracts, and other versions of same (so much so that various government bodies such as Government Accounting Office handle contests of unfair play), so the better you know the rules of the game, the better your chances of getting in and getting your fair play of public funds. Government is pro small business; however, you have to slog thru bureaucracy, and that means having the information to even get started and what to do. The driving force is supposed to be acquiring the "best value" for public funds for a requirement. This book can be a map to help you on your journey to propose how you can get the job done. If you know where you want to go, pick up this map, and get the edge to get there.