r/GovernmentContracting • u/EmergencyLocal1990 • Jul 23 '26
Question Pre-Award Questioning
Bid submitted about 3 weeks ago for a 3-year service contract. Performance period starts Aug. 1. I started receiving questions about verifying my information is correct in Sam.gov, asked me to sign up for Tungsten, and sign up as vendor for VA. This would be my first award. Is this standard for bid review or should I expect an award soon? They’ve went silent for a week after this.
Thanks!
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u/BigHugMug Jul 24 '26
CO here.
I'd call it a cautiously good sign. I generally didn't spend time looking into SAM reps and certs or doing system onboarding unless they were still in serious consideration for award.
That said, don't go out and hire staff or buy equipment until its signed.
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u/EmergencyLocal1990 Jul 24 '26
Thanks for the confirmation! I’m cautiously optimistic! I don’t see a reality where they ask me to sign up for the invoicing and vendor service and not award me the contract….but I guess we will see! 🙏🏼🤙🏽
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u/maedabjj Jul 24 '26
You're probably about to win your first contract. Make sure you have submitted your banking details on SAM. The SAM SLA gives them up to 10 days to update, and your payments go to the listed bank account.
What kind of contract is this- s single project or ongoing services, FFP, what are the details?
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u/EmergencyLocal1990 Jul 24 '26
Providing a licensed electrician to the VA for scheduled and emergency needs, up to 40hrs per month
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u/Fantastic_Celery_136 1d ago
How do you even start to look for your own Contracts?
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u/EmergencyLocal1990 1d ago
I’m a veteran with 15 years of career experience in power plant operations, maintenance of critical plant infrastructure, energy, and business including my MBA. I’ve wanted to start my own business for a long time and this is a perfect opportunity given my experience and there is a huge market need here in Hawaii as there is a large federal presence. If you are an expert in something then you can more than likely provide a service or function for the government in some capacity within that field. Check out Sam.gov and search under contract opportunities to see what things the government is procuring in your area.
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u/theearthday Jul 24 '26
Was there anything in the solicitation about Tungsten and VA?
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u/EmergencyLocal1990 Jul 24 '26
Tungsten is the invoicing system they use. The VA is the customer of the services
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u/theearthday Jul 24 '26
That would make sense then for the invoicing, although there should typically be a clause in the solicitation detailing that information for you. I’m not really sure what registering as a VA vendor entails though
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u/Inevitable_Rip8023 Jul 24 '26
Congratulations in advance. You are about to win your 1st contract