Guides

A FEMA benefit-cost analysis uses the FEMA BCA Toolkit to show a project is cost-effective. By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC) FEMA’s hazard mitigation grants, including BRIC and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, generally require a project to be cost-effective. In practice, that usually means a benefit-cost analysis

Here is how prime contractors meet SB and DVBE participation goals on California contracts, using the Department of General Services certified firm search. By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC) California sets a statewide goal of 25 percent small business (SB) participation and 3 percent disabled veteran business enterprise

This 2 CFR 200 procurement checklist covers the Uniform Guidance rules for grant-funded purchases. By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC) When a city, county or district spends federal grant money on goods, services or construction, it must follow the procurement standards in the federal Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR

Here is how to write an RFP for consulting services that brings in strong, comparable proposals, including when federal rules under 2 CFR 200 apply. By Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, Founder and Lead Strategist, Global Economic Research Consulting (GERC) A weak request for proposals (RFP) costs a city twice. First it attracts few or poor proposals.

AI search for government contractors now shapes which vendors buyers find, alongside SAM.gov and DSBS. Contracting officers, prime contractors and grant managers still search SAM.gov and DSBS. More and more, they also ask Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT and similar tools questions like “Which certified small businesses in Riverside County do HVAC work?” Those tools answer

The FAR overhaul affects every small business that sells to federal agencies. The FAR overhaul page tracks each change. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the rulebook for almost every federal purchase. Under Executive Order 14275, signed in April 2025, the FAR Council is rewriting it in plain language and removing requirements that are not

DoD has paused CMMC Phase 2, but the DoD CMMC rules already in contracts still apply. Phase 2 of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) programme was due to start on November 10, 2026. From that date, DoD planned to require a third-party CMMC Level 2 assessment as a condition of award on many contracts

California SB certification is free through Cal eProcure. California Small Business (SB) certification is free, and the application looks simple. But most applications that go wrong fail on decisions made before the form is opened. A short conversation first can save months and a missed bid. Skip the paperwork. We do it for you. California

Government contracts in Corona start with registering with the City of Corona. Corona and Norco businesses sit next to some steady public buyers: two cities, a large school district, Riverside County, the State of California and a Navy warfare center. Most local firms have never registered with any of them. Here is where to start.

Orange County vendor registration starts with the County of Orange, then each city you want to sell to. Orange County agencies buy everything from janitorial services to engineering studies, and they give real price advantages to local small businesses. But each agency keeps its own vendor list. Here is how to get on the right