With Halloween and a few DoD solicitation deadlines coming around the corner, it’s easy to feel a little spooked. Figuring out how to align your company with DoD needs is a tricky business, especially when considering that the current acquisition rules and barriers seem to favor those who are already well established within the DoD’s system. The Outpost is here to be a guiding hand to help you navigate through the bureaucratic valley of death.
Below are a few haunting mistakes to avoid when seeking to do business with the DoD.
1. Waiting for an opportunity to come to you.
The biggest mistake you can make when trying to get a contract with the Department of Defense is waiting for an opportunity to drop into your lap. Research prospective government customers and their needs, understand their regulations, and determine the use-case for your tech based on this research. Open Topics are also a great way to pitch your tech to the DoD on your own terms.
2. Relying on old material to pitch new business.
Don’t depend on the content you have already written for your business to get you a government contract or funding. Write material that is specific to the branch and use-case you have identified.
3. Not keeping up with DoD compliance and regulations.
Like all things bureaucratic, the DoD has some pretty strict requirements for the kinds of businesses it works with. Make sure that your company is meeting all of those requirements BEFORE sending in a proposal, to avoid any issues or delays.
The DoD just released new cybersecurity compliance regulations. Feeling https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j5nzkMYbTrqn070k_7Kihg
4. Ignoring the pre-release documents for SBIR/STTR cycles
While lengthy, these documents hold vital information for how your business can successfully navigate the SBIR/STTR cycle’s application process and establish why the DoD needs your tech specifically.
5. Not properly protecting your business and negotiating your Data Rights in both the federal and commercial markets.
Check out our “IP Issues for Dual-Use Ventures” webinar to hear more about this topic from IP lawyer Eric Blatt.
6. Submitting your proposals without checking spelling, grammar, and formatting.
As silly and obvious as this one may seem, this is a common reason why proposals are rejected. If your format is inconsistent or your spelling and grammar goes unchecked before submission, this mistake can convey carelessness, lack of attention to detail, and even disinterest in making this proposal the best it could possibly be. Of course, this never accurately reflects the work that is put into your proposal and your business, so make sure to check for these things so that your business can be reflected in a positive and professional light.
