Government Contracting

Bidding on State Contracts as a Small Business

For small businesses, the best way to start working with the State is through set-asides, subcontracting, and small purchase orders. To bid on New Jersey state contracts as a small business:

• Register your business with the state and get any necessary certifications
• Find a contract to bid on
• Download the bid documents. Read them carefully to understand the bidding requirements
• Prepare your bid by providing all requested information
• Submit your bid by the deadline, following the instructions for submission

Using NJSTART as a Small Business

Most small businesses work with the state as subcontractors. They usually work with larger companies, called prime contractors, who manage the main contract. Many contracts get renewed rather than replaced with new ones. As a small business, you can use NJSTART to:

• Search for active contracts and see which companies hold them
• Contact prime contractors and offer your services as subcontractors
• Find out about new bidding opportunities and identify potential bidders before contracts are awarded

Small Business Set-Aside Programs

A set-aside program reserves certain State contracts for eligible small businesses. New Jersey has two set-aside programs: 

• 25% for Small Business Enterprises
• 3% for Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises

To compete for these contracts, you need to get certified as a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) in New Jersey. Having a SBE certificate may give you an advantage with government contracts. You can qualify in the following categories:

• Small Business Enterprise
• Minority-Woman Owned Business Enterprise
• Veteran-Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise
• LGBTQ+ Owned Business Enterprise
• Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

To certify as a SBE, you must meet certain eligibility requirements:

• Primary location is in New Jersey
• 100 or fewer full-time employees
• 51% or more of their business operations/sales in New Jersey, OR has 51% or more of the company’s full-time employees in New Jersey
• Meets additional revenue limits based on your business activity

Apply for a small business certification through the Uniform Certification Service. Application requirements vary based on type of certification. The New Jersey Certification Program has information on what you need to apply. Most businesses must provide:

• An EIN
• Social Security Number
• An identified NAICS code 
• Information on your business's gross revenue for the last 3 completed tax years
• Business formation date (for LLC, C corps, LPs and LLPs) You can find this date on your 
• Certificate of Formation

State agencies must also buy 3% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency, ACCSES NJ. ACCSES NJ connects customers with organizations that hire people with disabilities. Small businesses can join this program by becoming a member of ACCSES NJ.

New Jersey Selective Assistance Vendor Information (SAVI)

Once you certify as a small business, your information is listed in the Selective Assistance Vendor Information (SAVI) database. SAVI does not list bidding opportunities. You must actively find opportunities for your business. You can also check your SBE verification and certification status on SAVI.

SAVI helps prime contractors find subcontractors to meet set-aside requirements for certain contracts. Prime contractors use SAVI to check if a subcontractor's certification is still active or to find subcontractors in specific fields. State agencies also use SAVI to confirm certifications for the two primary set-aside categories.

Registering on SAVI can help you get noticed by prime contractors, but you need to reach out to them directly for potential opportunities.

The New Jersey Department of Treasury has many State contracts for goods, services, and construction. State agencies also have their own opportunities. 

Goods and Services Related Contracts

The Division of Purchase and Property (DPP) is New Jersey’s central procurement agency. Procurement is the process of purchasing goods and services. This includes office supplies, electronic equipment, vehicles, and more. 

You may win a State contract by responding to a bid solicitation from DPP. DPP posts bid solicitations on NJSTART. DPP’s goods and services procurement brochure has information about New Jersey State procurement. The New Jersey Division of Enterprise and Revenue Services (DORES) also offers specific business registration information based on your business structure.

Construction, Public Works, and Property Related Contracts

The Division of Property Management and Construction (DPMC) manages construction and property contracts in New Jersey. Projects include designing and building schools, government buildings, roads, and other public facilities. DPMC also plans and manages State leases, maintains State-owned buildings, and manages real estate transactions.

A construction contractor or consulting firm must first be approved by DPMC to work on New Jersey public works construction projects. Learn how to become a public works contractor.

Find new projects through:

• The DPMC website
• Ads in construction periodicals and trade journals
• Newspapers
• Direct mailings from DPMC

Other State Contracting Opportunities

Visit each agency’s page for other contracting opportunities:

• Casino Reinvestment Development Authority ‍
• NJ Dept. of Banking & Insurance ‍
• NJ Dept. of Community Affairs ‍
• NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection  ‍
• NJ Dept. of Health  ‍
• NJ Dept. of Human Services ‍
• NJ Dept. of State ‍
• New Jersey Economic Development Authority ‍
• New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority  ‍
• New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency  ‍
• NJ Transit Corporation ‍
• New Jersey Turnpike Authority/Garden State Parkway ‍
• New Jersey Schools Development Authority  ‍
• Port Authority of NY & NJ‍
• South Jersey Transportation Authority ‍
• Sports and Exposition Authority
  

If you receive a State contract award, you must complete required forms, certificates, and documentation. Visit the DPP forms page to see the types of forms you may need as a State contractor. These forms are required for goods and services contracts with DPP and are sometimes required by other State agencies.

Federal agencies must publicly list their contract opportunities, and some contracts are set aside for small businesses. Contracts can be awarded to one vendor (single award) or multiple vendors (multiple award).

Find federal government contracting opportunities on SAM.gov. You can increase your chances of winning a federal contract by researching the federal marketplace and learning how to win contracts from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Contracting as a Small Business

The Small Business Administration helps small businesses win federal contracts. There are several contracts you may be eligible for:

• Competitive set-aside contracts: Contracts that limit competition to small businesses. Some set-asides are open to any small business, while others are reserved for those in SBA contracting programs
• Sole-source set-aside contracts: Contracts given directly to one small business without competition, usually based on specific qualifications
• Joint ventures: Small businesses can form a joint venture to pool resources and compete for contract awards. This allows a small business to compete for contracts reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned, or HUBZone businesses
  

The SBA also has contracting assistance programs for eligible small businesses. Under this program, small businesses must receive 23% of federal contracting dollars. Some contracts are for small businesses in certain socioeconomic categories, such as:

• Small businesses owned by socially or economically disadvantaged people 
• The 8(a) Business Development program for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses who have been in business for two or more years
• Women-owned small businesses
• Veteran-owned small businesses
• Historically Underutilized Business (HUBZone) program for businesses in historically underutilized business zones
  

Participating in one of these SBA programs means you’ll have fewer businesses to compete with to win a government contract. You must meet eligibility requirements and certify your business’s socioeconomic status before you can bid on a set-aside contract. Check your eligibility through MySBA Certifications. 

Federal Contracting Rules and Requirements

To join SBA contracting programs, you must qualify as a small business according to SBA size standards. You must also comply with federal contracting rules and responsibilities. 

New-Jersey Based Resources and Support

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) APEX Accelerators provides free counseling, training, and technical resources to New Jersey-based businesses, including those looking to work on government contracts. 

Federal Contracting Resources and Support

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers counseling, training, and resources to help small businesses succeed in government contracting. You can also contact your SBA District Office for help planning, starting, or growing your small business.