GERC is a full-service market research firm offering market research services to businesses, government contractors, developers and public agencies. We help you understand your market before you invest, bid or apply for funding. Our team combines economic analysis with practical market intelligence, so you get answers you can act on, not a stack of data.
We produce market and industry research for businesses entering new markets, organizations building a funding case, and firms deciding whether an opportunity is worth pursuing. We deliver market analysis for clients nationwide, with deep knowledge of California markets. See all of our economic consulting services.
What our market research services cover
- Market size and demand — who buys, how much, and whether that is growing or contracting.
- Competitive landscape — who else is serving this market, how they are positioned, and where the gaps are.
- Industry trends — the forces that will shape the next few years, with sources.
- Customer and beneficiary analysis — segmentation, needs and behaviour.
- Pricing and cost benchmarks against what the market actually pays.
- Public sector demand — what government agencies in your sector are buying and how much of it.
Where it gets used
- Supporting the statement of need in a grant application
- Evidencing demand in a feasibility study or business case
- Deciding whether to pursue a market before committing to it
- Presenting to a board, a lender or an investor
- Positioning against competitors in a proposal
B2B market research
Selling to other businesses or to government means a small number of buyers, long sales cycles and high stakes. Our B2B market research services cover:
- Market sizing and demand for your product or service by industry and region
- Competitor analysis: who sells what, at what price and to whom
- Buyer interviews with decision-makers in your target industries
- Channel and partner analysis
- Entry strategy for new states, sectors or countries
Qualitative market research
Numbers tell you what is happening. Qualitative research tells you why. We run:
- In-depth interviews with customers, prospects, partners and stakeholders
- Focus groups, in person or online
- Community and stakeholder input for public projects
- Coding and analysis that turns conversations into clear findings
We combine qualitative work with surveys and secondary data when a project needs both.
Market research for government contractors
Before you bid, you need to know who buys what you sell and who you’re up against. We research:
- Which federal, state and local agencies buy your products or services, and how much they spend
- Past awards, incumbent contractors and contract expiration dates
- Set-aside opportunities for SB, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and DVBE firms
- Pricing benchmarks from public award data such as USAspending.gov
- Teaming partners and prime contractors in your NAICS codes
This work feeds straight into our proposal writing and capability statement services.
Market research for grant applications and funding
Funders and lenders want proof of need and demand. We provide the market and community data that grant applications, business plans, SBA loans and investor decks require, written so reviewers can find it quickly.
We also write the application itself. See grant writing. When a funder asks for more than market data, we prepare a full feasibility study or an economic impact analysis.
How much does market research cost?
Cost depends on scope. A focused desk study with secondary data costs much less than a multi-market study with surveys and interviews. After a short call, we give you a fixed-price quote with a clear list of deliverables.
Nonprofits may qualify for our nonprofit discount. Request a quote and tell us what decision the research needs to support.
How we work
We use published data, official statistics from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industry sources and public procurement records, and we cite everything. If a figure cannot be sourced, it does not appear in the report.
Analysis is delivered with the underlying models as working spreadsheets, so you can update them as conditions change rather than commissioning the work again.
Common questions
Is this primary or secondary research?
Both. Many projects rely on published and official data. When a question needs it, we add surveys, interviews or focus groups.
Can you research a public sector market?
Yes, and this is a particular strength. Public procurement generates a great deal of public data about what agencies buy and from whom — see government contracting support.
What will I receive at the end?
A written report with findings, charts and recommendations, plus a summary you can drop into a proposal, business plan or grant application.
How long does a market research project take?
Most projects take two to six weeks, depending on scope and whether surveys or interviews are included.
Do you conduct surveys?
Yes. We design, field and analyze surveys, and combine the results with interviews and published data.
Can you research a specific city, county or region?
Yes. We regularly research local markets across California and the U.S., including the Inland Empire and Southern California.
Do you work with startups and small businesses?
Yes. We scale projects to the decision you need to make and the budget you have.
Do you provide market research services outside California?
Yes. We work with clients nationwide and deliver the research remotely.
What is the difference between market research and a feasibility study?
Market research tells you about demand, customers and competitors. A feasibility study uses that research, plus costs, financing and operations, to decide whether a specific project can work.
Where we work
We deliver nationwide, remotely. Federal registrations, federal and foundation grants, and proposal work are not tied to geography — most of our engagements never require anyone to be in the same room.
In California we work across Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and the wider Inland Empire, plus San Diego, Ventura and the Central Valley. State-specific programmes such as Cal eProcure and California SB certification are, by definition, California only — everything else travels.
Our office is in downtown San Bernardino. See all service areas.
More market research clients
- MarQcor International: feasibility and market studies for renewable energy, airport and real estate development projects worth billions of dollars
- RK Financial Services: market research
- Grease Monkey: market research to determine whether the business was ready to work with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), plus vendor registration
- International client: market research for a foreign company interested in carbon capture
Want results like these? Request a quote for your market research project.
Related services
- Business plan writing services
- Proposal and RFP writing
- Economic impact analysis
- Procurement support for cities and public agencies
- BUILD (RAISE), INFRA and Mega grants
- Infrastructure grant writing
Case example
MarQcor International. GERC delivered feasibility and market studies for MarQcor International’s renewable energy, airport and real estate development projects, worth billions of dollars in total.
Request a Quote
- Call (909) 454-7076 — the fastest route. Monday to Friday.
- Book a consultation — pick a time that suits you.
- Email us about Market Research — opens a message already titled, so it reaches the right person.
If you only want to know whether you need this at all, ask. There is no charge for that conversation.
GERC is a woman-led advisory firm in downtown San Bernardino, serving the Inland Empire, Southern California and clients nationwide. Led by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, a PhD legal and political economist with more than 14 years of experience. CAGE 11SD2, California SB (Micro) and SB-PW certified.
Related: feasibility studies · grant writing