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  • 1.  Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-11-2024 16:12

    We were contacted by a salesman for Government Marketplace (GSA Advantage). Of course the pitch said we'd get all kinds of government contracts...... I'm skeptical, has anyone ever worked with this group and is it worth the by-in???? Thanks in Advance :-)



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    Megan Raymond
    Owner, Raymond's Trophy & Awards
    Bakersfield, CA
    661-323-4015
    ------------------------------
    Netsoft Studio


  • 2.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 08:52

    I haven't worked with this company but I do have an account set up in SAM for the federal government for our local Air Force and National Guard units and there were several hoops to jump through on those. They mostly want to know that there are no tracking devices in our products and we've become an approved vendor for the SC National Guard Military Museum. My husband is active duty so he did a lot of this for me. I will say that some entities will not be permitted to work with people who are not contracted and some have very specific requirements about their awards - one of which is made in the USA products. I am not familiar with how big a presence the Federal government has in your area but I'm not sure it's worth it (to me) to pay someone to go after those government contracts (since you have to put in a bid and they may not choose your bid anyway so you just paid those people for nothing) rather than to explore becoming an authorized vendor yourself. 



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    Christina Ross
    Blue Pineapple Trophy and Gifts
    Lugoff SC
    803.438.6062
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    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 3.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 09:20

    I had a call from them just last week. I spoke with a lady to find out more details. What they will do is help get you 5yr contracts and they will fill out the paperwork for you.... at a price of $7,500. The paperwork is grueling! 300 pages. Make sure to get set up in SAM. Then if a contract comes your way, you can personally fill out the paperwork for it yourself but its a long long process. Speaking not from experience on the paperwork but from the previous owner of our company.

    I would personally love to hear from someone that has obtained GSA contracts and to know if it pays off and is worth it.



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    Emily Caves
    President/Owner
    Apple Awards
    Hayward WI
    715.934.2323
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    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 4.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 10:16

    I certainly wouldn't spend my money there. We made that mistake 25 years ago. They said they would build an add and I being new said OK, the ad was terrible so I created one for them and never heard from them again. Our government customers never heard of their directory, of course it probably went by a different name back then.

    Believe this is much like the people who call from far away places pitching sports schedules for your local high schools, chamber maps and the like. The high school and chamber never requested they work with them in the first place.



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    Virginia Smith CRS
    President
    Awards of Texas
    Palo Pinto TX
    940.745.4495
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    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 5.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 10:54

    Megan - the first question is do you want to pursue GSA contracts?   They can be lucrative, but there are many hoops to jump thru to get them.

    If you want to chase the government awards, first stop is at SAM.gov to get yourself registered.  That is actually where all the RFQ's will originate.   Of course once you're registered, ALL these companies will be soliciting you to assist you in your quest for government contracts!



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    Amelia Morgan
    Recognitions Awards & More
    Aviston IL
    618.228.7600 EXT1001
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    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 6.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 10:55
    Edited by Michael Westbrook 04-12-2024 11:04

    I wouldn't go this route, it's expensive with absolutely no guarantees you'll see any roi.  As suggested get set up in SAM and then you can work with GSA employees to begin to learn how to begin to be successful in the Government Contracting world.  It's time consuming but everything their offering you can do for yourself and by doing it yourself you'll have a much better understanding of how the process works.  Each entity is different for instance if you're going after DOD contracts that will require things that other entities don't require (security related).  No matter how you go about this it's going to be time consuming and a bit confusing at first but once you dig in and begin to learn it gets easier.  When I get calls like this I always ask, "What is the guaranteed roi if we come on board with you?" The answer is always, "There is no guaranteed roi."  So hours and hours of my time and tens of thousands of my dollars and when it's all said and done I am guaranteed that there are no guarantees that my investment will produce $$$.  Run!



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    Mike Westbrook
    Owner
    Mile High Laser Engraving
    Denver, CO
    720-930-4667
    info@milehighlaserengraving.com
    www.milehighlaserengraving.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 7.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 13:58

    Thank you all for your information - very helpful and It's much like I expected. No guarantee, and that doesn't sound very incising - but just for fun, I think I'll waist a little of the salesman's time and listen to the pitch, ask the questions and see how well he can sell this, what feels like a "timeshare".  I appreciate the response :-)



    ------------------------------
    Megan Raymond
    Owner, Raymond's Trophy & Awards
    Bakersfield, CA
    661-323-4015
    ------------------------------

    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


  • 8.  RE: Government Marketplace

    Posted 04-12-2024 14:35
    One of the easier ways to tackle this is to get with a larger company who already has big Government contracts.  Those companies often have a certain amount of the contract award that they have to spend with smaller businesses. My experience is in the medical field. Mkesson is a huge player that receives very large government contracts.  As part of those awards Mkesson is required to set aside a designated portion of the budget that must be spent subcontracting with smaller companies.  It's usually much easier to work with one of those big players as a small business as there is less you have to do to meet their requirements to receive a portion of that business.  Let me know your thoughts once you've heard the pitch.

    Mike

    Mile High Laser Engraving
    7100 Broadway, Ste. 3-F
    Denver, CO 80221

    Mon.-Thurs. 8:30a.m.-4:30p.m., Fri. 8:30a.m.-4:00p.m.

    ph:720.930-4667






    Original Message
    Netsoft Studio


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