Federal Contracting Made Easy, 3rd Edition

Learn how to break into and succeed in the federal government marketplace with this comprehensive guide outlining everything you need to know about federal contracting. Federal Contracting Made Easy, 3rd Edition, is an all-in-one source designed to give you a full understanding of how the federal government acquires supplies and services. This practical handbook provides references to contracting regulations, size standards, contracting activities, federal publications and forms, subcontracting opportunities, and much more!

This fully updated, step-by-step guide will help you:
-Understand how the government issues procurement opportunities
-Navigate the red tape to speed your way to a successful contract
-Decode confusing rules
-Get to know the key players
-Learn the various types of contracts
-Overcome contracting obstacles

Federal Contracting Made Easy, 3rd Edition, will guide you through the inevitable challenges of federal contracting. Use the most current resource available for your organization today!

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.


Best General Book on Subject for Small Businesses   October 27, 2003
Citizen John (USA)
21 out of 21 found this review helpful


This review is updated for the 3rd Edition.

I've read many books on government contracting. I think this is the best primer on the market for small business owners and managers. 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 and the progress payment schedule are just 2 of many excellent and easy-to-understand graphics.

The author, Scott Stanberry, is well-known in the field because his successes in helping businesses to get established as government contractors. His book, now in its 3rd edition, has been the favorite beginning book for small business owners for several years.

Federal contracting has grown steadily for many years now for various reasons. Even though the government is now bringing a lot of this work in-house instead of continuing to outsource it, most economists expect the sector to remain a large part of the national economy. Since the scope of federal procurement is so large, it makes sense for many businesses to evaluate the potential benefits of becoming vendors to the federal government.



Do you think government contracts are hard to get?   August 17, 2004
L. Hobson (Palmdale California)
12 out of 15 found this review helpful

Scott Stanberry shows you just how easy it is to contract for the government. Some contractors take one look at the government spec's and throw up their hands. Government spec's aren't as hard as they look. This book will take you step by step through the process of bidding government contracts. Once you get use to the paper work, which this book shows you some of, you have it made. Read this book and go out and make your fortune in government contracting.

Larry Hobson- government contractor for over 30 years


Contracting made easy...   February 28, 2009
Abraham T. (Cambridge, MA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

Quick summary: If you intend on getting into Federal contracting, this is a very simple starter book. Lots of useful information and I've found quite helpful. Highly recommend this as a "must read" for all newbies in the business - you won't be disappointed. If you're experienced, don't bother getting this book - it's too basic and serves as an Intro 101 course summary.


Outstanding basic resource   June 16, 2009
R. Dodge (Orlando, FL)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is a concise and informative review of the basics of federal contracts, types, process, and terms. Excellent for the novice.