Federal Contractors Chamber of Commerce

LUNCH AND LEARN
NAICS CODE 101

Workshop Summary - NAICS Codes Must Match the Work Sought

Per Case Law Review- the solicitation's NAICS code must be based on the principal purpose of the work the government seeks to acquire. The contracting officer assigns the NAICS code that best describes the predominant products or services required under the solicitation. Therefore, the NAICS code selection is driven by the government's requirement—not by the contractor's preferred business classification or primary line of work.

The Issue
For contractors, the practical issue is whether they qualify as a small business under the NAICS code assigned to the solicitation. A contractor is not automatically disqualified simply because the solicitation's NAICS code differs from the NAICS code under which the contractor most commonly operates. Contractors frequently perform work across multiple industries and may demonstrate that their experience, capabilities, and past performance are closely related to the work being procured. If challenged, the contractor must be prepared to articulate how its qualifications, experience, and resources align with the solicitation requirements.

The key distinction is this: the solicitation's NAICS code must match the work sought by the government, while the contractor must demonstrate its ability to perform that work and, when applicable, meet the size standard associated with the assigned NAICS code.

Therefore, the issue is not whether the contractor's preferred NAICS code matches the solicitation, but whether the contractor can legally compete under the assigned NAICS code and substantiate its capability to perform the required work if questioned by the agency, competitors, or the SBA.

Training Takeaway
The solicitation's NAICS code must match the government's requirement. The contractor's responsibility is to demonstrate capability and eligibility under that assigned NAICS code—not to require the government to use the contractor's preferred NAICS code."

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The Advantage of Education in Federal Contracting
Case Law Studies Workshop –
Case Study: Owl International Inc., d/b/a Global, a 1st Flagship Company, B-423281.4 (Apr. 24, 2026)
In this case, Owl International Inc., doing business as Global, a 1st Flagship Company, protested certain terms of Request for Proposals (RFP) No. N00024-23-R-4304, issued by the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command.
The protester argued that the Navy:
• Unjustifiably amended the RFP to remove the required provision [FAR 52.222-46]
• Improperly restricted offerors' ability to submit comprehensive final proposal revisions after the amendment; and
• Failed to resolve an ambiguity in the solicitation.
In particular, Owl argues that FAR provision 52.222-46 directed offerors to focus resources (compensation and benefits) in order to maintain a stable professional workforce. The provision led Owl to propose features in its technical approach that furthered professional workforce stability, the firm argues.
By contrast, the protester argues, if the RFP had not included FAR provision 52.222 46, aspects of Owl's proposed [technical approach would have differed]. Owl argues that if the provision is removed from the RFP, offerors must be permitted to revise both their technical and cost/price proposals to respond to the changed emphasis in the evaluation, and that, as a result, the agency's restriction of final proposal revisions only to cost/price proposals is unreasonable.
Lessons Learned: The Value of Federal Contracting Education
This case demonstrates how [being educated in the foundation and application] of federal procurement processes, procedures, statues and laws [i.e. the FAR & Case Law Studies "enables" contractors to identify and challenge agency errors.
Specifically, the protester's understanding of federal contracting requirements allowed it to recognize that:
1. A [required] solicitation provision generally must remain in the RFP [unless] the agency has a valid and legally supportable justification for its removal.
2. The [protest was aware of the validity and impact the provision carried] both in and outside of the RFP.
3. If the agency's removal of the provision is justified, [then] offerors must be provided with a meaningful opportunity to revise their proposals to address the change.
Outcome
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) sustained the protest in part and denied it in part, reinforcing the importance of understanding procurement regulations and protecting the integrity of the competitive acquisition process.
Key Takeaway: Education in federal contracting equips contractors to recognize procurement irregularities, assert their rights effectively, and hold agencies accountable to applicable procurement laws and regulations.

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Workshop seats available for the- FEDERAL CONTRACTING-BOOT CAMP [Jacksonville, Florida]. Registration Open ...
Classes start 07.06.2026 thru 07.30.2026
To see “Workshop Break-Out”
https://federalcontractorschamberofcommerce.com/fccoc-boot-camp
Events Calendar
https://federalcontractorschamberofcommerce.com/events-calendar

Getting SCAMMED FOR ($800) and learning about it nearly a year later.. 😡

The following is an actual response submitted by a student from last week's Instructions to Offerors class. According to the student, they paid a vendor they found on Facebook to prepare their proposal narratives in response to the RFQ's Technical Factors:

Factor #1 "Explain Your Organization's Technical Approach."
Our organization brings a highly differentiated market position supported by a comprehensive federal growth strategy, targeted agency positioning efforts, and a robust small business development framework. Through strategic alignment of our socioeconomic certifications, corporate capabilities, and customer-focused value proposition, we have established a proven foundation for delivering mission-critical support across the federal marketplace. Our approach leverages industry-leading best practices, relationship management techniques, and customer engagement methodologies designed to maximize stakeholder satisfaction and long-term program success.

We maintain an aggressive capture strategy that incorporates pipeline development, opportunity identification, market intelligence, strategic teaming relationships, and continuous engagement with government decision-makers. Our capability statements are routinely updated to reflect evolving agency priorities, contract vehicles, and mission requirements. By combining our brand positioning, business development infrastructure, and extensive network of industry partners, we ensure that our organization remains responsive to emerging opportunities while maintaining alignment with federal acquisition objectives and socioeconomic goals.

Our technical approach is further strengthened through our commitment to innovation, thought leadership, strategic communications, and customer-centric marketing initiatives. We utilize data-driven outreach strategies, competitive analysis, value messaging, and market pe*******on techniques to reinforce our presence throughout the federal contracting landscape. This integrated framework enables us to create meaningful customer relationships, enhance visibility, and deliver best-value solutions while supporting agency missions, advancing small business utilization objectives, and fostering sustainable long-term partnerships with federal stakeholders.

USELESS RESPONSE!!!! Beware of the Facebook Influencers — and Scammers😡😡😡😡😡

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BEWARE OF THE FEDERAL CONTRACTING PETTING ZOO...

Your ticket for entering is the mere assumption that your so called positioning, small business certifications, capture strategy, capability statements, marketing strategy and other "emotionally charged" sales pitches, somehow SUPERCEEDS your need to be educated in the rules, processes, procedures, statutes and laws of Federal Contracting. If this is your assumption, feel free to pet him...

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STOP THE MADNESS... There is no “secret” to Federal Contracting. The business of Federal Contracting is built on rules, processes, procedures, statutes, and laws clearly defined in the regulations and guidance.

Success in Federal Contracting comes down to one thing: your willingness to become EDUCATED in the rules, processes, procedures, statutes, and laws that govern the industry.

The companies that win big are not operating with hidden processes, secret databases, or insider knowledge. They operate like master chess players — strategically positioning themselves through education, discipline, deep understanding, and precise ex*****on of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

If you serious about your federal contracting path, consider joining the https://federalcontractorschamberofcommerce.com, where education is the focus and your success is our mission.

Classes starting each month...

FCCOC® Strengthening the readiness, capability, and long-term resilience of our Federal Contractor's Industrial Base...

See FAR Part 2- Definitions for... FEDERAL CONTRACTING IGNORAMUS /ĭg″nə-rā′məs/ 🧐🧐🧐

She was fooled by slick AI generated ads... The $2,500 Lesson in Federal Contracting Reality

A small business owner shared that she was so eager to break into federal contracting, recently invested over $2,500 into what was marketed as an “elite federal contracting training and mentorship program.” The advertisements were polished. The videos were cinematic. AI-generated testimonials flooded social media feeds. Every post projected the image of insider expertise, government access, and guaranteed opportunity.

The sales pitch was convincing but meaingless phases like:
“Win federal contracts.”
“Unlock hidden government opportunities.”
“Learn the secrets the experts don’t want you to know.”
"Level Up"
"Position Yourself"

Like many aspiring contractors, the client believed they were purchasing access to real-world federal acquisition expertise, strategic guidance, and actionable procurement knowledge.

Unfortunately, the reality was very different.

After joining the program, the client quickly discovered that much of the “training” consisted of recycled information copied directly from publicly available internet sources, FAR summaries, SBA website content, YouTube discussions, and generic AI-generated talking points repackaged as proprietary instruction. The so-called “mentorship” lacked depth, operational context, and practical acquisition strategy.

Even more concerning, the client later learned that several of the organization’s advisors and instructors had little to no direct federal contracting experience. They had never served as Contracting Officers, Contract Specialists, Acquisition Utilization Specialists, procurement advisors, or federal acquisition professionals. Many had never managed acquisitions, developed procurement packages, conducted source selections, administered contracts, or worked within an actual federal procurement environment.

Yet they marketed themselves as “federal contracting experts.”

The sad reality is that many businesses fall for the marketing instead of performing due diligence. Fancy advertisements, AI-generated videos, motivational speeches, rented luxury backdrops, and social media hype often create the illusion of expertise. Meanwhile, very few prospective clients stop to ask the most important questions:

• What direct federal contracting experience do these advisors actually possess?
• Have they operated within the FAR environment professionally?
• What certifications, acquisition credentials, or procurement backgrounds support their claims?
• Have they successfully supported real federal acquisition operations?
• Can they demonstrate operational knowledge beyond internet research?

Ironically, out of the many clients who enrolled, only a small handful conducted meaningful research into the company and its advisors beforehand. Had more done so, they likely would have discovered significant gaps between the marketing narrative and actual acquisition expertise.

In federal contracting, perception is easy to manufacture. True acquisition competence is not.

The lesson is simple: before investing in any federal contracting training organization, research the people behind the platform—not just the advertisements in front of it. Because in this industry, smoke and mirrors may generate clicks, but only real procurement knowledge generates contract awards.

Red Alert>>>>> Don't get infected with Federal Contracting Salmonella .. ( Be careful of who's table you eat from)...
What is Federal Contracting Salmonella ?... A growing condition within the government contracting community—informally known as "Federal Contracting Salmonella"—has become increasingly prevalent among new and inexperienced contractors. The disease is commonly contracted after prolonged exposure to so-called “federal contracting experts” who possess little to no real acquisition experience, lack formal contracting credentials, and survive primarily on recycled internet content, motivational slogans, and fabricated success narratives. Symptoms often include irrational confidence, blind proposal submissions, misuse of FAR terminology, obsession with certifications over capability, and the dangerous belief that federal contracting is a “get rich quick” opportunity rather than a disciplined business and compliance environment. In severe cases, victims begin quoting LinkedIn influencers instead of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), resulting in strategic paralysis, compliance failures, and catastrophic bid decisions.

Medical experts within the acquisition community recommend immediate treatment through verified education, FAR-based training, mentorship from credentialed acquisition professionals, and prolonged separation from social media procurement “gurus” operating without documented contracting performance history. Preventative measures include conducting due diligence on advisors, validating real-world contract experience, reviewing past performance credibility, and avoiding environments where hype consistently outweighs substance. Left untreated, Federal Contracting Salmonella can permanently impair a company’s ability to compete intelligently in the federal marketplace, causing businesses to waste substantial time, capital, and operational resources chasing contracts they were never strategically positioned to pursue. Be careful of who's table you eat from..