📚 GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING TEACHABLE MOMENT
Not every opportunity is a government contract. Before spending hours reviewing requirements, ask yourself: 👉 What type of opportunity is this? 🏛️ GOVERNMENT CONTRACT A government contract is when an agency is purchasing a product or service and expects something in return. Examples:✅ Medical Equipment✅ Call Center Services✅ Construction✅ Consulting✅ Technology Products✅ Maintenance Services The government is the customer. You provide the product or service. You get paid under a contract. 💰 GRANT A grant is different. The government is providing funding to support a program, project, research initiative, education effort, or community service. Examples:✅ Public Health Programs✅ Community Outreach✅ Research Projects✅ Educational Programs✅ Nonprofit Services The focus is often on outcomes, reporting, and community impact rather than selling a product. 📋 RFI (REQUEST FOR INFORMATION) An RFI is typically market research. The agency is gathering information before deciding whether to issue a future solicitation. Think of it as: "We're considering buying something. Tell us what's available." RFIs are great learning opportunities because you can learn what agencies are considering before the actual bid is released. 🔍 BEFORE YOU INVEST YOUR TIME ASK: 1️⃣ Is this a Contract, Grant, or RFI? 2️⃣ Is the agency buying something or funding something? 3️⃣ Can I perform the work? 4️⃣ Do I need a partner? 5️⃣ Is this worth pursuing? 💡 One of the biggest lessons I've learned: Not every opportunity is meant to be pursued. Sometimes you bid. Sometimes you partner. Sometimes you use it as a learning opportunity. The key is knowing the difference before investing your time. 👇 Have you ever reviewed an opportunity and realized it wasn't what you thought it was?