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> Most founders have intimate knowledge of the contract process and a large network from previously working at a large DoD contractor.

That's precisely part of the problem. Without a clearance, prior past performance or any other form of insider access, it's incredibly difficult and needlessly complex to navigate your small business through the maze of the procurement process.

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I've never seriously pursued it, but at SLCC, there is a guy whose specific job is to help little companies break into government contracting. You can meet with him and he'll tell you where to register your company and how to get the ball rolling on becoming eligible for contracts. He'll help you bid on specific contracts afaik.

You don't necessarily have to navigate the "incredibly difficult and needlessly complex" infrastructure without help.

Yup, there's an entire cottage industry that has developed just to help companies through the procurement process. I get spammed by them every day.

The single largest weight in SBIR award evaluation is previous success in commercializing SBIR funded technology. It's a blatantly ridiculous catch-22.

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