Introduction
The GSA is an independent body of the United States government; it came into existence in 1949 with the objective of facilitating proper functioning of the federal agencies as explained by Miller (2010). For instance, the agency provides products and services encompassing transportation and communication as well as devising policies pertinent to cost minimizations among other management strategies. As such, the essay entails the description of the General Service Administration Schedule solicitation of the United States concerning a service-disabled veteran.
Additionally, there is the analysis of subsequent security measures alongside advantages of using electronic submission process in comparison to the classic paper solicitations. Again, there will be the evaluation of the probability of the business’s bid acceptance analysis in comparison to the large corporations such as the Boeing. Moreover, the paper analyzes the impacts on the business as a result of favoring a class of customers. Likewise, the essay conducts comparison as well as contrasting of contract administration and management in the small business and large corporations. Finally, the essay will discuss three major marketing strategies that are appropriate for a small company in its plan to secure federal sales.
Electronic submission process, its security and advantage over the classic paper solicitations
The process of electronic submission demands compliance with the primary eligible requirements before the application, that is, all the registration requirements. After that, all the potential suppliers should electronically transfer the responses at eOffer/eMod. Notably, the system is up-to-date with a high-security protocol such as the electronic signatures that guarantees data integrity. Still, the application is user-friendly; it provides easy to follow steps during solicitation process, application guides as well as answers to frequent queries. Moreover, it is flexible in such a way that the contractors can access the contract modification.
The Applicants should thoroughly read the documents received in the process to reduce the chance of returning of the offer. Later, there is reviewing of the received offers by the GSA Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) who is responsible for with the selection by the set standards and guidance as noted by Beausoleil (2010). If the offer is accepted, a meeting may be set for negotiation of the bid and ultimately awarding of the contract. Hence, it will commission the firm to start conducting business with the government. On the other hand, if an offer fails to meet the evaluation criteria, unfair offer, and reasonable pricing, there is rejection. In such a case, the applicant is entitled to debrief containing the PCO’s explanation in connection with the rejection. You can alter and re-submit the offer based on feedback received at this meeting.
Electronic submission process shortens the contracting period due to reception of information in real time as compared to the classic paper solicitations that require postage and transportation of the filled documents. Also, in the transit process, the documents might be lost or fail to get to the destination on time because of mechanical failure. Agreeably, the cost incurred in the electronics submission is way below the expense in the classic paper solicitations. Besides, the electronic submission process is easy to use and avail answers to a common problem as well as application on the GSA website. In contrast, the classic paper solicitation is a bit difficult since the guide is not available. Moreover, the electronic offers are substantially easy to process since the clerical worked involved less; thus, they attract immediate response in comparison to the paper submissions that are cumbersome and lengthy to process.
Bid Acceptance and negotiation process
Considering that, the small business falls under the large class of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) its bid stands a better chance to secure acceptance as opposed to the large corporations. The fact that the law stipulates for such types of business there should be set-aside contract opportunities increases the acceptance chance. Besides, the size of the business warrants valid consideration in the SDVOSB as discussed in the United States. (2008). Moreover, it is important to note the following; disability of the business owner is related to service, ownership of the by the disabled is more than 51% and the person is qualified in the building of the model airplanes. Cumulatively, the stated factors will skew the chance of bid acceptance towards the disabled veteran.
Target customers and their impacts on business
The model airplane business will specialize on the military aircraft and commercial planes models. As a result, the business will have an edge in selling to homeowners and item collectors such as museums and offices. The above-stated clients are major collectors of expensive models for sentimental values as well as gifts to their families and loved ones. For instance, owing to the power traits implication of the fighter jets, the model would be better suited as a gift item to a friend signifying strength. As regard to museums, the business would be committed to reviving memories surrounding fatal airplane crashes by producing replicas of the crashed planes as a way of remembering those who perished in the accidents. Likewise, the business will extensively cover the offices by recreating values such as boldness and power among other traits by building models that symbolize them. Moreover, the retired air force officers would find it irresistible to collect the models they have interacted with in the course of their work in military service.
Thereby, the choices to serve the stated customers will have a significant implication on the business regarding products and marketing strategy. Firstly, the business has to invest in quality products since the target customers are after moments and impressions on their friends and loved ones. Therefore, the products will be primarily for luxury and ostentation purposes; that implies quality, uniqueness, and consequently high prices. Customarily, customers have varied experiences, thus, they attach a different meaning to gifts. Hence, customization of the products will facilitate the business in meeting the customers’ demand. As such, the ordering process will capture customization on the business website, it will aid in understanding the taste and preferences of customers. Also, the business has to conduct extensive research to understand the market segmentation about potential customers and to determine their expectations. Therefore, market research will aid a great deal in filling the gap in the market and wedging out the competition from domestic market as well as from international markets.
Advantages of a small company over a large firm
Contract administration is a continued joint responsibility shared between the awarding agency and the contractor throughout the process. The terms and conditions compliance ensure minimization of that risk of failure during the performance of the contract. As such, both the small and large firm being eligible for awarding of the contract are deemed to have agreed with the regulations about the contract. Hence, they benefit from the knowledge, expertise gained and interaction with GSA during the contract administrations and procurement needs in federal contracts. However, owing to the relatively small employees in the small company it is in a better position to execute the contract in a better way as compared to the large firm since as there are less bureaucratic measures in the performance of their work. Likewise, oversight is effective due to a manageable team that can undergo training within a short time using minimum resources, thus, their productivity will be higher.
Management is an effective tool in running the affairs of any organization regardless of its size. Therefore, both the small company and large firm such as the Boeing substantially benefit from management in a range of ways. Firstly, both firms achieve personal commitment among their employees in duty performance in matters relating to business objectives. In a similar manner, management facilitates the organization's acumen in job performance management and appraisal that forms the basis for awarding and retraining workers. Besides, the objective of management is to communicate clear and concise organization’s goals. Nevertheless, small firm attains its management goals within a short time as well as significant impact due to less number of employees as compared to the large firms. Thereby, the small company conduct performance appraisal thoroughly and communicate its strategic plans in a more efficient than large firms do.
Marketing strategy for the model airplane products
Factually, winning a bid avails sizable opportunities and sales return to a business. However, attaining bid acceptance is the ultimate result of compliance with the stipulated terms and conditions as well as executing an informed marketing strategy. Broadly, the major marketing methods include advertisement on the GSA’s MarkeTips Magazine, using online strategies such as a website that is GSA friendly, creating an electronic catalog and submitting it to GSA as well as featuring the GSA logo in all the marketing tools as shown by Stanberry (2012). As regards to the model airplane business, it will employ website marketing, electronic catalog and advertisement through the GSA’s MarkeTips Magazine. Websites are easy to access, and the company will receive the response within a short time, thus, it will enable the company plan in advance. Again, using the GSA magazine implies that the marketing proposal is received by the contracting entity which creates awareness about the products supplied by the business. Finally, electronic catalog is a strong marketing tool as it contains both the products and their respective prices. Thus, sending a catalog to the potential contractor increase the chance of initiating communication with the federal officers mandated with the selection of the offers. In summary, the business must always request for debriefing to get information on the reasons leading to acceptance or refusal of the offer to improve or maintain on the pointed areas.
Reference
Beausoleil, J. W. (2010). The Past Performance Handbooks: Applying Commercial Practice to Federal Procurement. London: Management Concepts Press.
Miller, J. B. (2010). Principles of public and private infrastructure delivery
Stanberry, S. A. (2012). Federal Contracting Made Easy. London: Management Concepts Press.
The United States. (2008). Contract bundling Oversights: Hearings before the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity' of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Tenth Congress, first session, July 26, 2007. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.
