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I want to become a defense contractor (how)vanity
myself

Posted on 06/30/2009 1:10:21 PM PDT by Corinthian Warrior

I want to start a defense contracting company. I have expertise in education and training, in addition, I am a former US Marine and a former magazine editor. I want to help the armed forces produce high quality curriculums for both officers and enlisted.

I have a few questions about going about this.

A) Do I need security clearance just to place a bid to do contract work with the military?

B) Some companies check out your finances to get a picture of your competence as a potential business manager. I know that they check your finances for the security clearance, correct? Will the security clearance be confidential or will they give this information to the officers in the contracting department? I presently make very little money. I had an income of $19,350 for 2008; my total debts are about $38,000 – college loans, car, and credit cards. This should be seen as something positive, as my lack of money is motivation to prove myself worthy of a better lifestyle through working hard for the military. Will they be “snarky” about this?

C) Since the military will be my first client, can I list my business address as being the same as my home address? But there is a complication. I have recently moved in with my brother so that I can live rent free for a few months to pay down some of my debts. Will they be “snarky” about that too?


TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: consultant; consulting; contracting; contractor
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To: Born Conservative
Move to Murtha's district first, then make some contributions, cough cough, to, um, the community, yeah, that's it, make some contributions to the community, as a, um, er, a goodwill gesture - yeah, a goodwill gesture, that's the ticket (hah! good one!).

Once you've done all of that prep work, all that it takes is an earmark or two and you're in business...

21 posted on 06/30/2009 1:25:53 PM PDT by The Electrician ("Government is the only enterprise in the world which expands in size when its failures increase.")
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To: Corinthian Warrior
Work through SBA. There are a lot of set-asides for small businesses. As an employee of a large business contractor, I have certain expectations of passing work to small businesses and so am happy to work with them as subcontractors.

You will need to register with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR).

You will need to become intimately familiar with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (It is very intimidating at first, but it's not all that bad once you start working on it a bit)

A couple of other handy links:

Serious suggestion, though. If you are just starting out, try to find a prime who would be willing to mentor you as a small business. Yes, that exists. The other thing is if you can secure some small consulting contracts for a prime contractor (working on a 1099 basis). That will help ease you in on the defense contractor business and will help establish some past performances as a company (which will be necessary if you want to go after some larger contracts later on in your contracting life).

The other thing: incorporate. Check with SBA, but I think if you can come up with a company with shareholders that are native American, female, veteran (preferably disabled), and have your headquarters in a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone), you will be infinitely more desirable to utilize.

Hope the above helps. Good luck to you.

22 posted on 06/30/2009 1:29:30 PM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: Huskrrrr

Do something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

Gag


23 posted on 06/30/2009 1:33:56 PM PDT by fortunate sun (Beer Hall Politics didn't work in Germany. ACORN Politics won't work in America.)
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To: Corinthian Warrior

I want to join you

I am a computer software engineer. I can build computer systems better than anyone I know.

I have SEEN how the government get screwed by big vendors

I saw one who charged $250,000 for an XML interface that simply took data from one table and put it into another.

I did the same thing in one hour by hand DURING the meeting they called to discuss it

The still got their $250,000 “because there is no return policy in place” in government spending


24 posted on 06/30/2009 1:39:11 PM PDT by Mr. K (physically unabel to proofreed (<---oops))
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To: Corinthian Warrior
you have to come in as a subcontractor on someone else's insurance. For government contracts the insurance requirements are pretty tough. Plus, if you're going for a high level of security clearance, they will send people out (more than likely retired FBI/CIA) to interview everyone you know. Good luck.......
25 posted on 06/30/2009 1:41:30 PM PDT by sfvgto (Dear Congress, my name is Jimmie....gimmie, gimmie, gimmie)
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To: Corinthian Warrior

Additional advice...

Since you worked in that area when you were in the Armed Forces then you had to deal with some of the subcontractors that supported your operation.

Apply for a job with them. Who knows the needs of the customer (your former employer) than you?

I’d bet you still know the names and companies of those you worked with.


26 posted on 06/30/2009 1:50:45 PM PDT by JBR34
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To: Corinthian Warrior
Get your license and open a gun store. There's your real defense contracting job.

Seriously, there's money to be made and even here in the wild west Texas Hill country, there aren't nearly enough gun stores.

27 posted on 06/30/2009 2:03:10 PM PDT by wolfcreek (KMTEXASA!)
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To: Corinthian Warrior

Based on my experience:

No, unless it is a requirement.
Probably.
No.

Your results may vary. Have you considered being a subcontractor until you build up your resume? Good way to learn the ropes and get your foot in the door.


28 posted on 06/30/2009 2:39:04 PM PDT by Kirkwood
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To: Corinthian Warrior

Follow the advice regarding incorporation (LLC).

If 8A, all the better, you simply can’t lose.

Become a sub to a major defense contractor.

Seriously, contact Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, etc, as they sub-contract for everything they do (they are what is called a “lead system integrator—LSI).

Boeing Training Systems and Services doesn’t “do” what you want to do, but they get contracts to do that all the time—in support of larger contracts. So, they sub-contract what they need-—you.


29 posted on 06/30/2009 2:40:19 PM PDT by Hulka
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To: Corinthian Warrior

You should really work for a contractor first. You will learn how things are run and you can make contacts in the field. My brother just left contracting and he is constantly being offered jobs state side, lots of hookups from being in Iraq. Triple Canopy is hiring.


30 posted on 06/30/2009 3:56:48 PM PDT by panthermom
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To: Corinthian Warrior

Change your last name to Raytheon.


31 posted on 06/30/2009 6:32:40 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (AGWT is very robust with respect to data. All observations confirm it at the 100% confidence level.)
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To: Corinthian Warrior
I want to help the armed forces produce high quality curriculums for both officers and enlisted.

First of all, have you identified that product/service as one the military needs?

Until DoD recognizes a need they won't put out any requests for bids, hence no ontracts.

Others have suggested first hiring on with another contractor to learn the ropes and I'd agree with that advice.

FWIW, I work for a defence contractor and support our bid process so I do get to see the inside of the process.

32 posted on 06/30/2009 7:13:35 PM PDT by Eagle Eye (If John Kerry is the benchmark for patriotism I'll be a proud traitor.)
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To: Corinthian Warrior
I worked for several small defense contractors for a total of 14 years. All of them started out with the principals working for larger contractors and then spinning off once they got their names on certain successful projects within their fields, a sort of resume-building process. In your situation I'd strongly recommend that just so you can learn the ins and outs of the procurement system.

Whether you need a security clearance or not, and at what level, depends on the contracts on which you're bidding. Clearances aren't cheap to get on a private basis. Again, it argues allowing an employer to pay for it and working for that employer long enough to justify the expense.

In short, my advice is to find a contractor who will show you the ropes and work for them. Starting out with no resume, no clearance, no contacts, no capital, and no knowledge of the industry is doing it the hardest possible way. IMHO, of course.

33 posted on 06/30/2009 7:29:59 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets
Change your last name to Raytheon.

If he did that, he'd have to change his party affiliation as well.

34 posted on 07/01/2009 1:29:20 AM PDT by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: markomalley; Corinthian Warrior
Wonderful advice Mark...and I say that as a 23 year DoD RDT&E contractor employee who used to be the Small Business Liaison Officer for the company, so I assisted entrepreneurs like CW on a daily basis. Now I do purchasing, contract administration and coordinate proposal efforts. Here are a some more direct links that should help:

DoD Mentor-Protégé Program

SBA SubNet (Search engine for subcontracting opportunities with established Government Contractors)

Office of Small Business Development Centers Entrepreneurial Development

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)

National Association of Small Business Contractors (Networking is very important)

I wish you the best of luck CW!

35 posted on 07/01/2009 6:03:58 AM PDT by ravingnutter
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To: ravingnutter

Thank you, everyone. Your collective advice is invaluable. I will look into to all your suggestions.


36 posted on 07/01/2009 10:42:59 AM PDT by Corinthian Warrior
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To: Corinthian Warrior

We are starting up a defense contracting company. I have over 17+ years as an Army / Navy Civillian (GS-14)in Acquisition Logisitcs. I would like to start a training program to teach acquisition logistics to those wanting to become government contractors. As you may know, DAU Acquisition classes are available only to DoD Government Employees.

In addition Marston Moor is also engaging in custom design and development of micro-electronic mechanical sensor development (MEMS) which is one level above nanotechnology.
Contact me at martinlozano@marstonmoor.net if you are interested.

Semper Fi!
Martin Lozano
Partner-Marston Moor Global LLC


37 posted on 09/11/2009 7:59:17 AM PDT by MMG8992 (New Start Up Defense Contracting Company Offer)
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