All of these initiatives are encouraging for small businesses as a whole. But remember that each small business must sell and federal agencies are not going to come to you.

Fedmarket offers free content to help you understand the process of doing business with the government.

Begin by downloading the complimentary Federal Sales Book series:

Rolling the Dice in DC: How the Federal Sales Game is Really Played (complimentary download or buy the book).  Rolling the Dice in DC explains the federal sales game and how it is played in the real world. The book is written for managers and sales people, not contract administrators. It describes the day-to-day dogfight of competing and winning in the federal market. Newcomers to the market may be discouraged by some of the topics and truths discussed but it is vital information. Read it if you want to know the good, bad, and ugly of the federal market, what it takes to enter the market, and the potential returns.

Cracking the $500 Billion Federal Market: The Small Business Guide to Federal Sales (complimentary download or buy the book).  Cracking the $500 Billion Federal Market examines the challenges faced by small businesses hoping to break into the federal market. The thought of entering the federal market strikes fear in the hearts of many business owners. While it is true that the market is dominated by insiders and the red tape involved with the selling in this market can be confusing, none of the barriers to market entry make it impenetrable in any way. Many small businesses have watched the federal market from the sidelines with envy. Why not get off the sidelines and join the game?

GSA Schedules: The Shortest Path to Federal Dollars (complimentary download or buy the book).
GSA Schedule contracts are one of the most misunderstood aspects of federal contracting. By purchasing from Schedule contract holders, government agencies accelerate the time it takes to make a purchase at the expense of open competition. The large federal contractors -- the insiders who know how to play the game -- all have GSA Schedule. Read the book so you can level the playing field when up against the goliaths. The author provides invaluable insight into the world of GSA Schedules and how they are used to effectively and expeditiously close federal sales.

The author of the Federal Sales Series is Richard White, the founder and president of Fedmarket. Mr. White has more than 40 years federal contracting experience.