Around election season, everyone’s always talking about government waste. Pretty much every candidate who wants to be elected will pledge to get rid of government waste. Now, it’s not up to me to decide how much waste there is. I know a lot of folks who work for governments who do really good work. I know people who put in the time and effort to make sure that as little money is wasted as possible. Seems to me that we don’t talk enough about them.
If you found this article in a Google search, you’re either one of those people already or you want to be. Luckily, there are systems in place that can help you.
the CAGE program and UEIs
You might have heard of CAGE. It’s the system for certifying Commercial and Government Entities. If you’re going to work with the government, you’ll need a CAGE number. You’ll also need a Unique Entity ID. This is the government’s new way of identifying every person, place, or thing that they work with. Chances are as a government worker, your agency already has these things. If you want to avoid slowdowns and problems, you’ll want to make sure that the people you work with do too.
Marketplaces and clearinghouses
If you have a requirement for multiple bids, you’ll want to work through the GSA’s marketplaces. Think of these like eBay for government jobs. It’s easy to put a job out to bid and get multiple offers. It will all be done through whatever form you specify. Generally companies have to be experienced in working in these marketplaces so you’ll know you’re getting good contractors.
However, sometimes working with multiple bidders can be a problem. You can tend to look at the lowest price without getting too involved in what the job is going to cost. A lot of contractors will bid a job low so that they can get it, then say there are overages later. You might have had some experience with contractors like that. It can be a real problem.
Working with people you trust
Just like in private industry, the best way to get the results you want is to work with someone you trust. The media may call this “no-bid contracting” but the truth is that building a relationship with a company is very important. If you’re working with someone who really understands your needs, you’ll have a smoother experience and ultimately have fewer overages. That means that jobs will be done on time and on budget. The media doesn’t seem to understand that part of it.
I’m here to tell you about Signal Connect. Signal Connect has been working with various local, national, and global governments for over a decade. We know the bid system in and out. Our company already has the CAGE and UEI numbers. We have subcontractors we can trust who know government work. Not only that, we have literally worked with some of the biggest players in the world, as well as small cities and towns. We know what it takes.
Even more importantly, Signal Connect has built a legacy of trust. Our customers come back to us over and over. We build the relationships that help things work out right. We can work within your budget and we’ll do what it takes to get the job. Then, we’ll be here when things are started and when they’re finished. You’ll have one point of contact who can do it all for you. More than anything we specialize in making it easy.
If you’re working within a government entity, give us a call! The number is 888-233-7563. We ask that the first call be during East Coast business hours. That way we have full staff available to answer. Once you’re connected with the right people, you’ll be able to contact them on your schedule. If you’re reading this after hours, don’t fret! Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you, usually within one business day.
