I do not mean to doubt your friend's experience, but I can tell you this categorically is NOT true. I can only guess that her banker is not fully informed on the subject. The government would come down hard (not to mention any possible civil litigation on her part) on any future institution that would 'flag' her file b/c she participated in the ARC loan program. Just as a resource, full ARC loan info from the U.S. SBA is here...http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/index.html If anything, we have found that the amount of loan information required is tantamount to that required for a $500,000 loan. So far excessive loan documentation has been the only real hurdle to some being able to obtain these loans. Regards.

To get back on topic here, Hinesmark - I am the VP of a regional (primarily) transport company that has dabbled in private construction projects. We are now aiming to garner a few initial small government construction projects and I am in charge of that initiative. We are at the beginning stages and I can provide you with a link that was helpful to us when we first started looking at heading down this road. It is here - http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4185/is_20060602/ai_n16459918/ It is entitled 'Getting government construction jobs takes thorough preparation work'. In short, it is not easy, but as you know - it can be worth it. Best of luck and regards.

My only Advice to you is to stay well within trade market ranges. Setting large prices for Gov. work can sink you. Get a couple good jobs with Gov then raise the price. Sincerley, Laws Message Edited by NicoleD on 11-30-2009 04:40 PM

I'm doing about4 Government projects now. Two are VAprojects, one is Air Force and one is Reserves. I'm trying to find in the FAR documents the limits on Change Order Markup % for both overhead and profit. I found the VA's markup info in there FAR but that was for the VA FAR 852.236 section. I can't find this info for these other agencies. Can anyone help and tell me where to go to get this markup % info. Thank you.

We a general construction located in Northern California & we are extremely interested in working on construction projects, federal & state, throughout the state. We have a DUNS, registered with CCR, have a small business registration, registered with ORCA, & are compiling a past performance list. What are the next steps, I know there are more, for us to start bidding government construction projects ($100 - $350,000 in size)? I am thinking that we also have to have background checks, but I've got no idea how to do this. Any sort of guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

To KC-DCalif: You've done everything you are supposed to do by way of registration. If you are a veteran, you should also register at vetbiz.gov. Now that you are fully registered, you need to go to fbo.gov and set up a dedicated search engine related directly to your NAICS in the 233 NAICS family. Once done, you will receive every day each solicitation that is in your NAICS code. I would also recommend that you set up a separate search engine under the key word JOB CORPS which does a lot of small business general construction. To danieltooop: Getting a DUNS number is as simple as going to DNB.com and follow the instructions. In short, it is a must for CCR registration. To newbizguy: There are no more ARC loans. This comes from the SBA website: 'ARC loans will be offered by some SBA lenders for as long as funding is available or until September 30, 2010, whichever comes first. ' http://www.sba.gov/recovery/arcloanprogram/REC_WHATISARCLOAN.html Another source of revenue is registering with your local housing authority. They do an outrageous amount of general construction work.

Hi, Where are you located? I'm in San Diego and I have an outreach contract with the San Diego International Airport's Green Build. Vicki

Not easy... 1) Bonding, most (in Florida with VA agencies) contracts are put out for bids in large dollar amounts that new businesses have difficulty getting the bonds. 2) VA/Federal contracts (Florida) have a past performance criteria such that 'new' companies are placed at a disadvantage to existing companies in 'Factors for Award'. The State of Florida requires three (3) past performance projects as a qualifier, all new companies cannot bid. Federal Contracting Officers/contracting regulations make the process and opportunities for'new' small businesses (Construction for sure) short of impossible to bid in their contracting arena. This past performance qualifier still stops companies with bonding capabilities.

I am also a Gen B contractor in OC, CA. setting up my team right now with design, engineering to construction..registering for GSA rfp and setting up for government bidding. Like to hear our input. Have you set up? DUNS and CAGE number?

I too am a vet 1965-1968 with time in Viet Nam. I live in Monument Colorado and retired after 32 years of civilservicewith the Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District. I worked as a Civil Engineering Technician / Construction Representative except for my last 12 years where I worked in the Contract Administration Section of the Rocky Mountain Area Office. I was the Project Manager,Imanaged about $125M in threetypes of contracts; small negotiated, small competitive andsmall design-build contracts. I also worked with large firm-fixed-price contracts processing change orders, claims and submittals. I now work as a Business Development Specialist for a small-business mechanical contractor that has both a Pipeline andan HVAC Division. We work coast-to-coast in both residential and commercial work. While we do most all mechanical work, we have a lot of experience in gas distribution systemsand local residentialconnections, meters, etc,. Please tell me more about the nature of your work??