Five Ways an Overachiever Overcomes Guilt

Merriam-Webster defines an overachiever as “one who achieves success over and above the standard or expected level especially at an early age.”  My name is Linda.  I am an overachiever.  I beat myself up when I do not achieve to some unrealistic standard.  I achieve more than most people do.  I am unsure why I am an overachiever but it has history from my childhood.  

I found myself lately scheduling fun.  Not living in the moment.  Surviving and not thriving.  All in the pursuit of success to feed my fear of failure.  Anyone that looks at my life looks at a person who has a lot of fun while working hard.  I was having fun and then checking fun off a checklist.  That activity was fun.  Fun was checked off the list.  That activity was fun.  Fun was checked off the list and so on.  While I was having fun, I was beating myself up for not doing the 5 things on my task list for the day and worrying about the 5 meetings the next day.  I was making myself feel guilty about fun.

I wanted to work on overcoming guilt so I came up with the following methods:

1. Recognize Guilt (Unhealthy or Normal)

Some guilt is okay, even healthy.  For instance, if you indulged in holiday candy and ate until you are sick you should feel guilty about that.  You consumed 5 desserts and could hardly walk out of a restaurant.  You should feel guilty for both these scenarios.

But what if you worked an 80-hour work week and didn’t make it to your family function.  Again.  What if you refuse to delegate that task because the person you wanted to delegate to isn’t going to complete it to your standard?  I feel this is appropriate guilt and common for an overachiever.

Normal guilt arises when you can change your behavior.  It is the little accountabilibuddy in your life.  Are you working out?  Are you eating right?  Are you having fun?

I cannot be everywhere all of the time.  I do like to mentor and help entrepreneurs.  I do like to write for people.  I dread the person who says let’s meet up for lunch or coffee.  I immediately feel my heart rate rise as I try to imagine where I am going to fit them in my already full calendar.  I feel guilty for not being able to help them.  My guilt in this situation is unhealthy because it doesn’t serve any real purpose.  No mistake happened here.  Nobody died.  I just could not find time to help this person.

Unhealthy guilt is blown out of proportion in the overachiever and can put a spin on the day that could ultimately contribute to depression or low self-esteem.

2. Reality Check

Should you be feeling guilty?  So for an overachiever, you can take a mean of the people you hang out with.  Are you feeling guilty about not getting that 80th hour of work in this week?  Did the 5 friends you respect and hang out with work 80 hours?  I am sure they did not.  Stop putting the guilt on yourself with unrealistic expectations.   This is guilt gone wrong and can be unhealthy.  Go ahead and compare yourself to others.  Reel in that overachieving tendency.

3. Beware of Guilt Trips

People you hang around with and even other overachievers can make you feel guilty.  They can do this to advance their own agenda, often unintentionally.  Analyze the other person’s point of view and determine if they are accounting for your needs.  Be careful and always put yourself first in the situation and don’t overload your agenda.

4. Change sooner rather than later

If your guilt is normal or rational, healthy guilt, then take action to fix the problem.  Stop overeating.  Recognize you are working too much and change your schedule.  Apologize to the person you may have offended with the hasty comment.  Stop doing the things that make you feel guilty.  Get rid of the heaviness and live in the moment.

Accept you did something wrong, you are only human, and move on.

An overachiever will focus and focus on the fact they could have done something more.  They should have been there.  Stop engaging in the self-loathing, self-blame and self-punishment because you should have acted differently, you should have worked more, you should have been the better person.  Let that go and move on.  The more energy that is wasted on believing you could have done more will prohibit your self-growth.

5. Learn from behaviors

Guilt can be nauseating and can eat an overachiever alive.  You can feel guilty about anything that prevents you from achieving.  If you have found your guilt to be unhealthy, then you can’t really learn anything.  You need to change the behavior so you can get your stress level down. 

Grow some self-esteem and don’t let anyone feel guilty for taking your time.  Put your own work and family first and if you have time then spend it with other people.  Control your time and you will control your guilt about time.

If you are constantly apologizing for snide and careless remarks, stop saying the remarks.  Filter your mouth and wait to speak.  Get rid of the guilt associated with insulting another person. 

Perfection doesn’t exist in anyone

Nobody is perfect.  Looking at others and holding you to an unrealistic standard when the others aren’t leading a perfect life either.  Perfection cannot be achieved and striving for perfection can be a recipe for failure.

Guilt is one of those negative things that take time from thriving.  Like the author Andy Stanley suggests, break free from the destructive power of guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.

Government Contractor Accounting Practices

So you have decided to get federal government work.  You may even have a contract already and are doing business.  You are a small business.  You are flying under the radar of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA).  But are you ready for an audit?  How do you set up your accounting system properly in preparation?  

DCAA is the big brother of government contracting, and they will eventually be in your business just like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

DCAA does not recommend any accounting software so you must separate your chart of accounts into three areas:  Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, and Unallowable Costs.  The complete explanation is located in the Far Cost Principles Guide on the DCAA website. 

The decision of whether a cost is direct or indirect is based on the ability to identify the cost associated with the contract, rather than nature of the goods and services specifically.  Indirect costs that cannot be directly tied to the project or ongoing operational expenses are not allowed.  

Expenditures for which it is often impractical to calculate dollar amounts and itemize as direct expenses, because while these expenses are necessary to support a contract, they are also shared across the organization and are therefore not easily identified with a specific contract.

Direct Costs

• Specifically identifiable to contract
• Directly related to performance of contract
• Identified in proposal as direct costs
• Billable to contract and customer
• Labor, Subcontractors, Equipment Cost, Materials
• Travel (Lodging, Mileage, Per Diem, Meals, Rental Car, and Parking)
• Other Direct Costs

Indirect Costs

•  Shared costs that apply to multiple contracts or activities
•  Cannot be identified to specific contract
•  Fringe, Payroll Taxes, Leave, Benefits
•  Facility Costs (Internet, Rent, Office Supplies, Postage, Telephone)
•  Overhead Costs (Labor, Bonuses, Travel, Consultants)
•  General & Administrative (G&A)
• Proposal Costs
• Legal Costs accrued for legal advice on proposals
• Executive Labor and Bonuses
• Bank Service Charge
• Accounting

Unallowable

• Payroll Expenses, Charitable Contributions, Advertising
• Interest Expense, Fines, and Penalties
• Legal Fees, Alcohol, Entertainment, Officer and Owner Insurance
• Federal Corporate Taxes

The following table is a quick lookup.  Remember I am not an accountant and your best resource is a DCAA familiar accountant.

Cost	Description	Type
Advertising	Advertising, brochures, and displays.	Unallowable
Alcoholic Beverages	Alcoholic beverages are unallowable as a direct or indirect cost.	Unallowable
Bad Debts	Losses from uncollectible accounts, collection costs and related legal costs.	Unallowable
Books, Journals, and Subscriptions	Books, journals and subscriptions to professional and technical> publications.	Direct – books, journals, and subscriptions specifically related to a contract.  Indirect – books, journals, and subscriptions that benefit research in general or the researcher in general.
Charitable Expenses	Charitable Expenses	Unallowable
Consultant	An individual hired to perform professional, short- term services.	Direct – if specifically related to a contract Otherwise, indirect.
Delivery	Service Overnight delivery service or special shipping services, other than routine postage costs.	Direct – shipping of samples, receiving goods for contract use or other delivery of items directly related to the contract work. Indirect – submitting proposals or other administrative purposes.
Depreciation	The cost of an asset (building or equipment) spread over the asset’s useful life.	Indirect
Donations and Contributions	Includes gifts, memorials and purchase of tables.	Unallowable
Entertainment	Amusement, social activities, and related costs (tickets, meals, lodging, and gratuities).	Unallowable
Equipment	Tangible personal property with a useful life of more than two years and a unit cost greater than or equal to $5,000.	Direct – if specifically related to a contract. Otherwise, indirect.
Federal Corporate Tax	Federal Income Tax	Unallowable
Fines and Penalties	Costs resulting from violations of laws and regulations.	Unallowable unless directly related to compliance with specific provisions of the contract.
Fringe Benefits	Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Workers' Compensation, FUTA, SUI/DI ER Expense, SS Tax ER Portion, Med Tax ER Portion, PTO, Holiday Pay	Indirect
Goods or Services for Personal Use by Employees	Items or services are providing direct personal benefit to employees.	Unallowable
Insurance	Insurance coverage for normal business purposes, whether provided by an external company or through a self-insurance program.	Direct – if specifically related to the contract. Otherwise, indirect.
Interest	Interest payments on business loans, credit card balances, or other business debt.	Unallowable
Investment Management	Costs of investment counsel.	Unallowable
Legal Costs of Defense, Prosecution, Claims and Appeals	Generally unallowable. Depends on whether the claim is civil, criminal, involves contracts or is against the Federal government.	Unallowable
Lobbying	Attempts to influence outcomes of elections or other political actions.	Unallowable
Losses on Contract Agreements	Costs in excess of available funding are unallowable as a direct cost on another contract.	Unallowable
Maintenance and Repair Costs	Maintenance and Repair Costs to keep the property in efficient operating condition. Not including costs that increase property value.	Direct – if specifically related to the contract. Otherwise, indirect.
Meals	Meals are allowable if associated with a staff travel, conference or symposium where technical information is presented.	Direct – meals directly related to contract performance in the case that per diem rates are not utilized. Otherwise, indirect.
Meeting Refreshments	Meeting refreshments, site visit meals and guest meals.	Unallowable
Memberships	Memberships and dues to belong to a professional or technical> organization.	Direct – memberships and dues required exclusively for a particular contract. Indirect – memberships and dues that benefit the employee, in general, are a professional development cost.
Office Supplies	Office supplies are those items usually maintained in a departmental stock for general use by all staff. Such items would include pens, pencils, writing a paper, file folders, departmental letterhead, envelopes, staples, staplers, and rulers. Office supplies generally support multiple activities of contract> personnel.	Direct – lab-related office supplies or office supplies purchased for specific contract use. Otherwise, indirect.
Officer and Owner Insurance	Insurance expense for officers and owners that exceed a general insurance benefit for rank and file employees.	Unallowable
Payroll Expenses	The cost of payroll services.	Unallowable
Photocopy	Photocopying of documents.	Direct – photocopying of technical material related to a particular contract.  Indirect – routine photocopying of a general business nature (employee timesheets, professional materials, proposals).
Postage	Routine postage costs.	Direct – postage costs for large mailings or surveys related to the contract. Indirect – routine postage costs, including general agency correspondence and mailing of proposals.
Pre-award Costs	Costs incurred prior to the effective date of the contract.	Unallowable
Professional	Services Professional contractual services, consulting and external legal counsel. Retainers require evidence of service.	Direct – if specifically related to the contract. Otherwise, indirect.
Proposal Costs	Proposal preparation, including typing, copying and mailing costs, for new and renewal applications.	Indirect
Public Relations and Marketing	Public relations, marketing, and related advertising cost intended to promote the organization or improve community relations.	Unallowable
Recruiting	Recruiting costs to select a new employee.	Indirect.
Rent	The cost to lease building space or equipment.	Direct – Building rent is a direct cost to the extent if related to contract Equipment – in proportion to use on the contract. Indirect – administrative equipment rental (fax, copier) are normally indirect costs.
Salaries and Fringe Benefits- Administrative and Clerical Personnel	Departmental administration, including professional and clerical staff, and central administration staff are serving the entire organization.	Direct – administrative and clerical cost incurred for a technical purpose or related to the contract.  Indirect – routine, the base level of administrative support provided to all organizational activities.
Salaries and Fringe Benefits- Technical and Programmatic Personnel	Personnel performing services related to a contract.	Direct – work performed must specifically relate to the contract. The direct cost charge must be based on the percentage of effort devoted bythe employee.
Specialized Service Facilities or Service Center	Operating units that use specialized equipment or technical expertise to provide goods or services for a fee.	Direct – appropriate billing rates and charging practices must be followed.
Supplies and Materials – Technical	Purchased materials and supplies consumed in the performance of the contract. The cost to the contract should be net of credits, discounts, and rebates. Freight costs are part of supply and material costs.	Direct – All Cost should be accounted for against a particular contract.
Telephone and Facsimile	Equipment and service cost for telephone and fax service.	Direct – Long distance telephone, if the charge can be specifically identified with a contract. Indirect – Local telephone and fax service.
Termination Costs	Additional costs incurred due to early termination of a contract.	Direct
Transportation	Freight, express delivery and other transportation related to goods purchased.	Direct – if associated with a contract. Otherwise, indirect.
Travel	Transportation, lodging, subsistence and related costs for official business, in accordance with organizational policy.	Direct – travel expenses directly related to contract performance. Otherwise, indirect.
Tuition	The cost of classes at an educational institution for employees.	Indirect

Top 10 Motivational Songs to Start 2016

Wake Me Up - Avicii 

So wake me up when it's all over 
When I'm wiser and I'm older 
All this time I was finding myself 
And I didn't know I was lost 

Shake It Off – Taylor Swift 

'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play 
And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate 
Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake 
I shake it off, I shake it off 

Happy – Pharrell Williams 

Because I'm happy 
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof 
Because I'm happy 
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth 
Because I'm happy 
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you 
Because I'm happy 
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do

All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor 

I see the magazine workin' that Photoshop 
We know that shit ain't real, come on now, make it stop 
If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up 
'Cause every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top 

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield 

Live your life with arms wide open. 
Today is where your book begins. 
The rest is still unwritten.

It’s Time – Imagine Dragons 

It's time to begin, isn't it? 
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit 
I'm just the same as I was 
Now don't you understand 
That I'm never changing who I am 

Titanium – David Guetta 

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose 
Fire away, fire away 
Ricochet, you take your aim 
Fire away, fire away 
You shoot me down but I won't fall 
I am titanium 

Brave - Sara Bareilles 

Say what you wanna say 
And let the words fall out 
Honestly I wanna see you be brave 
With what you want to say 
And let the words fall out 
Honestly I wanna see you be brave 

Bulletproof - La Roux 

This time baby, I'll be bulletproof 

Push It - Salt-N-Pepa 

Ah, push it - p-push it real good 

31 Daily Affirmations for Professionals

Do you believe that you are what you think?  Do you talk to yourself or write things to improve yourself and think more positively?  We cannot rely entirely on thoughts or words but to constantly review these in the form of affirmations can create possibilities.  You begin to believe the words and put them into action.  We manifest our dreams and ambitions to make our words become reality.  

Affirmations are like exercise for our brains.

According to the article Self-Affirmation Improves Problem-Solving under Stress, a study revealed that self-affirmation improved problem-solving performance in chronically stressed participants.  Affirmations raise the level of feel-good hormones to relieve stress and improve problem-solving abilities.

I am determined to break the pattern of negative thought.  The constant self-criticism associated with an overachiever where nothing is good enough.  I have come up with 31 self-affirmations for the professional to repeat as often as necessary until the negative speech becomes a positive speech and in turn, positive actions.  I want to turn the words “I can’t” into “I can” and use the positive energy to my benefit.

The following are daily affirmations for 31 days of a month.  You can read them all at once or read one every day.  The important thing is repetitiveness.  You want them embedded to change your thoughts.  I use Post-it notes on my mirror.

1. I have energy and am highly motivated.
2. My body is healthy, and my mind is brilliant.
3. I am superior to negative thoughts and low actions.
4. I have been given endless talents and will utilize today.
5. I forgive those who have harmed me in my past.
6. I have compassion and love for my fellow human being.
7. I am guided in my every step toward what I must do.
8. I possess the qualities needed to be extremely successful.
9. My business is growing, expanding, and thriving.
10. Creative energy surges through me and leads me to new and brilliant ideas.
11. Happiness is a choice. I am happy.
12. My ability to conquer my challenges is finite; my potential to succeed is infinite.
13. I deserve to be paid well for my time, efforts, and ideas. 
14. I am courageous, confident, and I stand up for myself.
15. I set standards for myself and utilize firm boundaries.
16. My thoughts are filled with positivity and my life is prosperous.
17. Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones.
18. Many people look up to me and recognize my worth; I am admired.
19. I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends.
20. I acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring.
21. Everything that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good.
22. I am a powerhouse; I am indestructible.
23. Though these times are difficult, they are only a short phase of life.
24. My future is an ideal projection of what I dream of.
25. My dreams manifest into reality before my eyes.
26. I radiate beauty, charm, and grace.
27. Obstacles will be moved out of my path to experience greatness.
28. I wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.
29. My fears of tomorrow are simply melting away.
30. I am at peace with all that has happened, is happening, and will happen.
31. My life is just beginning.

Repeating affirmations can turn thoughts into action.  Changing your thought process is the easiest and most efficient way to self-improvement.

Six things for Letting Go and Realizing Your Potential

We have all heard the popular song Let it Go from the Disney movie Frozen performed by Idina Menzel.  The words are profound:

Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!

I certainly have invisible shackles that hold me back from achieving the most I can be but I realize them, and I work on them.  I believe there are six steps in letting go and realizing your full potential:

1. Let go of the past
2. Walk away from Life Energy Suckers
3. Let go of Fears
4. Embrace Change
5. Be Grateful
6. Live in the Moment

Let Go of the Past

You can’t start a new chapter in your life if you keep re-reading the last one.  

~ Author Unknown

Our memories exist, and good or bad memories can be triggered by many causes.  I journal and have for over 20 years.  I can read about my past and put it into perspective.  I am only human, and I have made mistakes.  I keep learning and growing from my mistakes and also my successes.  This year marked a death of a past boyfriend that was truly a turning point in my life.  His sudden death made me realize again how short life is but how I had taken his friendship for granted.  I truly miss being able to call him whenever at any time of day and be able to have that support system.

But I am not going to let my past control my present.  I can constantly relive the moments with him, or I can tuck them safely away and try to create new moments.  He was partly responsible for me starting my business and for getting me out of my comfort zone.  He taught me about wanting more.  Working hard to play harder and the joy of traveling.  He taught me great life lessons, but as much as I want him to be in my present and future, he is my past.   I have to let go of his memory and take the lessons into the present and future.  By dwelling and reliving moments I am letting the past control my present.

Walk Away from Life Energy Suckers

We all know that person who hangs around just to suck the living “life energy” out of you.  You feel exhausted, bored, anxious, irritated, stressed, threatened, overwhelmed or depressed about 30 seconds after they speak.  These unhealthy attachments bring about delays in our progression of our goals. 

Another energy sucker is a person who constantly asks for your advice, yet always does the opposite of what you told them, an askhole.  I love to help people.  I love entrepreneurs and have either donated to their projects or even housed them temporarily until they got their project off the ground.  But if a person in my life does not respect or take my advice then I am ready to help someone who will utilize my help.  My mother used to say, and I am unsure who the original author is but “you can't help someone who won't help themselves.”

Free up the time that the “life energy” suckers are taking by establishing strong personal boundaries and enforce them by saying “No.”  I strive to spend time with people who are happy, motivated, curious, wanting to learn, positive, and full of integrity.  A “life energy” sucker does not fit in with my goals and aspirations.  I will decide whom I spend my time with.

Let Go of Fears

Do you have one of those fears that plague you?  I have several that debilitate me somewhat.   The fear of falling, Acrophobia (fear of heights), and Atychiphobia (the fear of failure).  So what do I do about it?  I force myself out of my comfort zone.  I went skydiving this year for the second time.  Now mind you my eyes were closed this time, but I still got myself out of the airplane at 14,000 feet.  It was tough, the airplane was really small, my foot got stuck, and the instructor was mean and ornery. 

Then on one of my hiking adventures I got stuck on a slick rock about 15 or 20 feet up and my fear of falling kicked in and a friend had to come up and hold my hand to get down.  That one was the worst as I had a small panic attack.  I hug a wall every time there is a drop-off, but I continue to push myself.  Huyana Picchu and the Inca Trail in Peru were both challenging, but I made it.  Your fears are a roadblock so get out of your own way by facing your fears and working through them.

Embrace Change

The hardest change in life is the changes we need but don’t want.  I realize I am the only one that can initiate, incorporate and execute change in my life.  I am in control.  This month has had me housing several members of the Jamaican Bobsled Team.  I provide housing and in return, I get to experience true joy and happiness from the Islanders who completely apply the mantra “don’t worry, be happy.”  The team members are truly optimistic and happy go lucky and embrace change. 

We go through a lot in life.  We go through change, difficult times, loss and sorrow, extreme happiness and joy and that forces change again. It is a never-ending stream of changes in our lives as well as accepting those changes.

I find the easiest way to embrace change is to be open and listen to new ideas.  Seasoned entrepreneurs have a lot of advice that if you simply ask questions and really listen to their answers, you will get profound ideas for your own business.

I am constantly finding ways to motivate myself and increase my personal productivity.  I have to change my daily activities and add structure.  I have to make time for personal physical and emotional growth to ensure my highest capabilities.  I want to defeat my fear of failure and succeed by facing it head on with positive change.

Be Grateful

I try to simplify my life, love people, be compassionate and caring, communicate honestly and truthfully with integrity, and remember there is always another person or many other people who have it so much worse.

Life is not perfect, but my life doesn’t suck.  I put my life in perspective and see the good as well as the bad.  I really have nothing to complain about.  I am very talented and have a great family and many close friends as well as business acquaintances.  I have a home, car and a career that I love.  I realize what I have, and I am so grateful.

Live in the moment

When you truly live in the moment, you increase your awareness of the little things.  I am mindful of other people’s talents, their small acts of kindness, their willingness to share their life experiences and how I can incorporate unique and meaningful experiences into my own life.  Each day is a blank page that can be filled with new unique and meaningful experiences.  Doing something new or meeting someone new adds to my already full life and I love those moments.  They bring a breath of fresh air.

In conclusion, it is a great reminder to let go of everything holding you back and live in the present while progressing toward a bigger and brighter future with hope, anticipation, and excitement for the positive things that are going to come.  Maintaining a positive attitude and letting go of the things that bind you will bring positive results when the timing is right.

SBA Final Rule concerning Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and EDWOSB

My company is DynaGrace Enterprises (DGE).  We are a certified 8(a) (Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)) as well as 8(m) (Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) / Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)).  We have been in business since 2006 and the 8(a) is a great program but DGE will eventually graduate. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a final rule authorizing federal agencies to award sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses eligible for the WOSB Federal Contract Program. It was published in the Federal Register September 14, 2015, and was effective October 14, 2015.  The rule levels the playing field for WOSB across the federal contracting marketplace.

Here is a link to the rule as it appears in the Federal Register on September 14, 2015. https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/09/14/2015-22927/women-owned-small-business-federal-contract-program

It appears that for now, the current list of applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes published by SBA for WOSB and EDWOSB contracting set-asides will remain in force, and will be used to facilitate sole source awards until superseded by new data.  This NAICS code list can be found here:

2012 WOSB-EDWOSB NAICS Codes

DGE has past performance in the following NAICS codes:

237130	EDWOSB	Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction
238210	EDWOSB	Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
238990	EDWOSB	All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
541330	EDWOSB	Engineering Services
541511	EDWOSB	Custom Computer Programming Services
541512	EDWOSB	Computer Systems Design Services
541519	EDWOSB	Other Computer Related Services
541990	EDWOSB	All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
561621	EDWOSB	Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)
561990	WOSB	All Other Support Services
811310	EDWOSB	Commercial, Industrial Machinery/Equipment (except Automotive & Electronic) Repair & Maintenance

This new regulation is great news and represents an opportunity for woman-owned firms.  If you are interested in working with DGE, please contact us.

What is the System for Award Management (SAM)?

The System for Award Management (SAM) located at www.sam.gov is the data repository necessary for doing business with the federal government.  The website is free to the public and users of SAM include contracting officials, contractors, and the public. 

To be awarded a contract by the federal government, contractors are required to register in SAM.  The one-time registration provides basic information for both procurement and financial transactions.  The information must be validated annually by updating and renewing the entity registration. 

SAM allows government agencies, contracting officials, and other contractors to search for your company based on your ability, size, location, experience, ownership, and more. SAM allows users to search for firms certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the 8(a) Development and HUBZone Programs. SAM also incorporates the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) system.  ORCA is a web-based system where the contractor provides required information about the company (e.g., accounting procedures; travel policies).  ORCA verifies that the firm meets certain Federal requirements (e.g., complies with equal opportunity legislation).

SAM validates the contractor’s information and electronically shares the secure and encrypted data with the Federal agencies' finance offices to facilitate paperless payments through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Additionally, SAM shares the data with Government procurement and electronic business systems. A contractor only needs to input business information in one database), which will then automatically populate the SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database.

As a contractor to register in SAM you need to have the following:

• Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (D-U-N-S®).  See my previous blog Dun & Bradstreet (A Necessary Evil)
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TPIN) is an identification number used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The TPIN will be verified by the IRS so it must be entered EXACTLY like the paperwork from the IRS.  The TPIN will be either the Employer Identification Number (EIN) for the contractor company or in the case of a Sole Proprietor the number will be the Social Security Number (SSN).  Keep in mind activating a new EIN with the IRS takes 2-5 weeks.
• Bank Account information for EFT
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).  The NAICS codes will inform the public what kind of industry work you can perform.

Once your registration is submitted for processing, information from SAM is routed to Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) in Battle Creek, Michigan for Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code assignment.  Once the CAGE code is approved it will be sent to SAM to update the registration.  Government contracting requires a CAGE code.   The code may be used for a Facility Clearance, a Pre-Award survey, automated Bidders Lists, pay processes, source of supply, etc. In some cases, prime contractors may require their sub-contractors to have a CAGE Code also.

For further information please visit the DGE web site.