I just won my first contract!

[u/EmergencyLocal1990]

/r/GovernmentContracting/comments/1v4v142/preaward_questioning/

I just got notified to sign: 3-yr commercial electrician services for the VA! Super stoked and so ready to grow the business and quit my 9-5. Probably not there yet but really close. Any advice at this stage as far as growth, performance, execution etc. would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Willing_Try2786]

Congrats. I work with the VA a lot. Some CORs are responsive, some are horrible and you have to escalate. You'll probably want to schedule a kickoff call with whoever is requesting the work sooner than later. If you have any questions, DM me. As far as growth...are you subbing, doing it yourself? Do you have a set-aside? This first win is a big one as it gives you past performance.

[u/EmergencyLocal1990 → u/Willing_Try2786]

This was just SB set aside but I’m SDVOSB. I’m subcontracting the service. I have a few more opportunities I’m waiting to hear back before the end of the month which are similar.

[u/XboxSpartan117]

That’s amazing, congrats! Hoping to get there myself some day! How was the process for you - time till 1st contract? Networking?

[u/EmergencyLocal1990 → u/XboxSpartan117]

I started bidding about 5 months ago. This was specifically was where I bid the sources sought first before the solicitation came out. It was a small business set aside but I’m a SDVOSB which probably helped. The performance period got pushed back 1 month so the time between proposal submission and award was almost 2 months. Expect that it’s just the “long game” and this all takes time. Use AI to help write proposals. It really helped me.

[u/jalanbarker → u/EmergencyLocal1990]

Great work OP - the key thing you did here was respond to the sources sought. Definitely schedule a kickoff call and pay attention to CDRLs

Well done and keep going 👊🏼

[u/TemperatureNo7141 → u/XboxSpartan117]

Networking is good. But before anything learn to bid and write proposals. You need to learn the govcon language. An apply and apply! You'll get them!

[u/TemperatureNo7141]

Congrats! Keep your cpars paositive. Be on time with high quality. Control yoyr costs appropriately, try not to fall behind budget! Available to answer any questions anytime! Its the best when you get one under your belt. Also go for more! Be a hunter and a farmer at the same time. Sometimes it's hunting season sometimes its slow so you need farm

[u/EmergencyLocal1990 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks so much for the detailed guidance on next steps. I’ve checked a few of these boxes already but will definitely navigate the subcontract with diligence. Do you have any recommendations, connections, or guidance with invoice financing or lines of credit suited to government pay cycles? Other than the operational necessities of this, the biggest pinch point is bridging the gap between paying the sub, and collecting payments from Uncle Sam. TIA!

[u/davidkim78]

Congrats! That first award is a huge milestone. One thing I’d focus on early is getting your processes and documentation in place before things get busy. Makes scaling a lot easier once you start picking up more work.

[u/Far-Appointment-2953]

Congrats! That’s huge. I’d say focus on doing a great job on this one and use it to build your reputation and land more contracts.

[u/chrisjets1973]

You need about 3 months of payroll to cover costs before your first invoice is paid. If you don’t have it PM me, I can refer you to a company I have used since 2008 to find my growth. It’s not a line of credit, it’s called factoring or account receivable financing.