When you want a heads up on today’s weather, most of us check out our local forecast. Knowing if it’s going to rain (grab an umbrella!) or climb to a 100 degree day (grab some sunscreen!) let’s us prepare. You know that feeling of leaving your car window rolled down when a rain shower hits? We kick ourselves for not being prepared and drive home with a soggy seat.
Weather is just one area most of us look at forecasts for. We also look at financial forecasts, sporting forecasts, election forecasts…. As a GSA contract holder, are you looking at contract forecasts? Businesses seek GSA contracts in order to increase their profitability through government contracts. The process for being awarded a GSA contract is long and meticulous. Your level of success with this hard-earned contract is significantly increased by looking at the upcoming forecasts for your products or services so that you can be prepared for the potential RFQ.
An easy place to begin your GSA forecasting adventure is:
The search tool embedded within this tool is relatively easy to use:
The best starting point is plugging in the NAICs codes that you associated with your business. Reading through the forecast listings that populate with your search, please note that these opportunities are not set in stone. An agency may be denied funding or simply change their mind. That being said, there’s nothing to stop you from reaching out to the forecasting agency to ask questions and open up a dialogue about their forecast. Think of how this might allow you to approach a potential RFQ from a potion of preparedness! Wouldn’t this be a refreshing change?
Fiscal Quarter 1 is the perfect time to start evaluating forecasts. Agencies are actively working on how to spend their allotted budgets and are generally open to conversations. This forecasting tool is just one within your potential arsenal. For more information about forecasting and the all important follow-up: responding to RFQs, give our team of contracting experts a call. (234) 212-3400
