□ Business bank account
□ Business debit card
□ Accounting software (QuickBooks recommended)
□ Budget for contract performance
□ Payroll system (Gusto/ADP)
Choosing the Proper Business Structure
Every contract begins with structure. Your legal foundation determines taxes, liability, credibility, and contract readiness.
You will learn:
- LLC vs Corporation
- S-Corp Election (When? Why?)
- Operating Agreement importance
- Articles of Incorporation
- Multi-member vs single-member ownership structures
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Federal & State Registrations
This section walks you through every mandatory registration:
• EIN Number (IRS)
• State business registration
• State business license
• NAICS Codes selection
• UEI Number
• CAGE Code (after SAM approval)
Includes instructions, links, and formatting requirements used by contracting officers.
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SAM.gov Registration (Step-by-Step)
SAM.gov is REQUIRED for any federal contract. This module provides:
• Core data guide
• Taxpayer validation
• Address matching rules
• Banking verification
• Reps & Certs
• Entity validation troubleshooting
• How to avoid delays
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Certification Path (MBE, WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8(a))
This section breaks down each certification:
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Timelines
• Which agencies prefer which certifications
• How to get approved
• Documentation required
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Banking & Financial Compliance
You MUST have:
• Business checking
• Merchant services
• Payroll system
• Bookkeeping software
• Contract-ready financial statements
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Required Policies (Must Have)
Before submitting proposals, you must prepare:
• Capability Statement
• W-9
• Employee handbook
• Safety policies
• Quality Control plan
• Organizational chart
Operating Agreement Template (Short Form)
This section provides a fill-in Operating Agreement template students can complete and customize.
Compliance Checklist Before Moving Forward
Before starting Module 3, students must complete:
- EIN
- State registration
- Business license
- Bank account
- NAICS list
- SAM.gov registration submitted
- Capability statement draft started