Prime Contractor Resources
One way to do business in the federal system is to bid directly on federal contract opportunities and become a Prime Contractor. Here are resources to help you get started, or increase your competitiveness in winning direct contracts.
Big Targeting System (BTS)
BTS is an online tool sponsored by the Michigan Defense Center and offered at no cost to all Michigan companies. It identifies and prioritizes federal contract opportunities for companies. The platform also scores companies the way a federal contracting officer would, giving small and medium-sized contractors the same advantages that large primes derive from their in-house experts. BTS is a useful resource for companies with government contract experience and those that have not yet entered the federal supply chain. Visit https://bidtarget.org/login to register for a free BTS account.
Michigan Defense CyberSmart Program
Need Help Becoming Defense Cybersecurity Compliant? The Michigan Defense CyberSmart Program Can Help Your Company!
Michigan Defense CyberSmart is a comprehensive program to support Michigan companies meet the new federal cybersecurity requirements (DFARS 252.204-7012 compliancy) that need to be met to continue working as a defense contractor. This program is offered by the state of Michigan by the Michigan Defense Center through the Bid Targeting System, and is available to only Michigan companies.
Login to your BidTarget.org account to access the step-by-step details of Michigan Defense CyberSmart Program Guide and submit your application. Feel free to reach out to as many vendors on the Vendor Referral List until you find that one that best meets your cybersecurity needs.
The Michigan Defense Center is excited to be offering such a comprehensive program to assist our Michigan companies in becoming cybersecurity compliant. We look forward to working with you!
Click here for more information. View the CyberSmart Flyer and http://www.bidtarget.org
Proposal Writing Services (PWS)
The Michigan Defense Center offers a Proposal Writing Services (PWS) grant program to assist Michigan companies in writing a winning bid response to a Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or GSA Schedule contract opportunity. Grant funds are leveraged to subsidize the cost of proposal writing services contracted through one of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) pre-qualified bid-writing firms. Based on the information provided by the applicant, the Michigan Defense Center will determine the amount of funding offered, not to exceed 50 percent or $10,000. Visit https://bidtarget.org/login to apply for grand funding and explore pre-qualified proposal writing vendors.
Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
https://www.dau.edu/industry-support/p/doing-business-with-the-department-of-defense#section-get- started
DAU is a corporate university of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) offering acquisition, technology, and logistics (AT&L) training to military and Federal civilian staff and Federal contractors. Each fiscal year, the Federal Government awards tens of billions in DoD contracts to small businesses. Click on the link to the DAU website above for information on how to start preparing your business to compete for and win those awards.
Industry Days
An Industry Day is an event held by a government agency to present requirements for equipment or technology to industry representatives. Industry Days are opportunities for the government to express its goals and solicit feedback from companies about a procurement. Industry representatives usually have an opportunity meet one-on-one with program office personnel to ask questions and provide input as well. These events allow companies to get a good understanding of what the government needs, and provide a method for shaping an RFP towards your unique offering. See the Michigan Defense Center’s calendar https://www.michigandefensecenter.com/opportunities/#calendar for any Industry Day events scheduled in the state.
Department of Defense (DoD) Industry Days
The Department of Defense (DoD) Program Management Office (PMO) conducts Industry Day events to present plans for a current or future procurement to industry. Events are usually held prior to a Request for Proposal (RFP) being released or any major changes in a program. DoD Industry Days are usually announced on the System for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/SAM/.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Industry Days
https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-industry-government-activity-calendar
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regularly conducts industry engagement activities and procurement events to promote meaningful communications between DHS and industry. DHS posts information about upcoming and past events on its website: https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-industry- government-activity-calendar. The System for Award Management (SAM) announces these events as well: https://sam.gov/SAM/.