How to Sell to the Government | Resource Tool for Start-up and Small Businesses in New MexicoResource Tool for Start-up and Small Businesses in New Mexico

The federal government aims to award at least 5 percent of all federal prime contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses and 12 percent to small disadvantaged businesses. The State of New Mexico gives New Mexico resident-owned businesses preference in state contracts. Ready to get started selling to the government?

Several resource providers offer workshops to help you expand your business through federal, state, and local contracts.

The business development organization WESST offers free workshops and counseling to help business owners prepare to access government contracts. For example, the Rio Rancho WESST office is hosting a 3-part online workshop series, called Getting Your First Government Contract, on March 2, 16, and 30, 2023. See all WESST workshops.

nmptac | Resource Tool for Startup and Small Businesses in New Mexico

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is a government-funded program providing assistance to small businesses that want to sell their goods or services to the government, educational institutions, or tribal entities. Experienced advisors provide a wide range of services, including individual counseling and training to enable businesses to compete successfully for government contracts. Program participants learn:

How to register a business in government databases
Research strategies for accessing federal, state, & local government markets
How to market to the government
How to respond effectively to a request for proposal (RFP) and a request for quotation (RFQ)
How to obtain federal Set-Aside certifications, if applicable
Federal accounting and invoicing practices
Post-award guidance
Understanding government regulations
How to be “Contract Ready”
Advantages of teaming with other companies

Read the FAQs about government contracting, and contact a PTAC office for assistance.

The State of New Mexico gives New Mexico resident-owned businesses preference in state contracts, and recent legislation expanded the definition of resident-owned to include Native American- and Veteran-Owned businesses. Scroll to the middle of this page to see Current Bid Opportunities.

Here’s one New Mexico story about selling to the government.

Read the SBA’s C ontracting Guide and the USDA’s Doing Business With The USDA guide.