Well…..it seems like it’s about time we get on a GSA Contract. I have had enough conversations with services that aid in the process, that lead me to believe that because we are who we are at Conarc (minority owned, small business), and develop a custom application that no one else has (in iChannel), we stand a very good chance at producing sizable revenues, without putting myself through RFP hell. Because we will go down as a “service provider”, we will avoid the painstaking entry into governmental purchasing bliss.
We will run under Schedule 70…. GSA IT contracts (computer hardware contracts, computer software contracts, IT professional service contracts, computer peripheral contracts, and all other IT related contracts).�
The contract will take roughly 500 man hours to complete. Then, it needs to be accepted by the GSA, before we can begin the process of responding to the needs of the any Federal Agency on contract. Hmmm…you think there is a need for document structure, organization by topic/entity, and security around file sharing of information in the government? Yeah…I didn’t think so….lets scrap it! Only kidding, and I am actually very excited to get going on this.
Working GSA contracts can only add to the positive outlook I’ve got for 2010. There are a lot of companies that will assist in this process. Because we are small, and I’m running with full time sales as well, this type of service comes as a great help to me. The contract is good for five years, and comes with a guarantee by the federal government that if you aren’t chosen (by a date that I am yet to get an answer on…..so far….my answer was…”it’s up to the Govt”), they will kick in $2,500 as reimbursement, as does the company that’s assisting us in getting on contract.
We will still need to market to the agencies just as we would in any other business oriented market, build our relationships, manage sales cycles, etc.
I do not anticipate the orders to fall into my lap. However, I do look forward to working into new and exciting areas where iChannel has yet to make a name for itself.
I am certain that it will!
Jim Keenan
Vice President Sales
Conarc, Inc.
678-687-2607
