GERC is a government contracting consultant for small businesses in Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland. The DC region is the center of federal buying, and competition there is intense. We help you register, get certified and write proposals that stand out, working with you remotely by video and phone.
Why DC-area businesses work with a government contracting consultant
- Federal buyers are next door. Headquarters for most federal agencies are in the DC region, so more contracts are solicited, and competed, here than anywhere else.
- Competition is heavy. Many firms chase the same set-asides, so a complete registration, the right certifications and a strong proposal matter more.
- The rules just changed. The 2026 8(a) rule and the new DBE standard affect who qualifies and how to apply.
Services for Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland businesses
- SAM.gov registration, renewal and UEI validation
- SBA 8(a) certification under the 2026 rules
- HUBZone and WOSB and EDWOSB certification
- GSA Schedule (MAS) consulting
- Federal proposal and RFP writing and bid writing services
- Capability statements for agency and prime contractor outreach
- Market research for government contractors: agency spending, incumbents and competitors
- DBE certification for transportation work in Virginia, Maryland and DC
Washington DC contracting and CBE certification
- CBE certification: DC’s Certified Business Enterprise program, run by the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), gives certified local firms preference points and set-aside opportunities on DC government contracts.
- DC Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP): vendor registration and solicitations for DC agencies, including the DC Supply Schedule for smaller purchases.
- Federal agencies headquartered in DC: we target the right buying offices, forecasts and upcoming solicitations for your NAICS codes.
Virginia contracting: SWaM certification and eVA
- SWaM certification: Virginia’s Small, Women-owned and Minority-owned business certification, issued by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD). Many state purchases are set aside for certified small businesses.
- eVA: Virginia’s statewide e-procurement system. Vendors must register to receive state and many local bids.
- Northern Virginia localities such as Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William counties each run their own vendor registration.
Maryland contracting: MBE certification, SBR and eMMA
- MBE certification: Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise program is certified by the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE), part of the Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility since October 2025. Many state contracts set MBE participation goals.
- Small Business Reserve (SBR): state agencies reserve a share of purchases for registered small businesses.
- eMMA (eMaryland Marketplace Advantage): Maryland’s procurement portal for state and many local bids.
- Montgomery and Prince George’s counties run their own local small business programs and vendor registration.
How we work with DC-area clients
- A video consultation on your goals, NAICS codes and target agencies
- A plan covering the registrations and certifications you need, in the right order
- Document collection through secure file sharing
- Preparation, submission and follow-up with SAM.gov, SBA or GSA
- Ongoing proposal and bid support once you are eligible
Federal registrations, SBA certifications and GSA offers are all filed online, so where our office sits does not affect your application. GERC is based in San Bernardino, California, and works with government contractors nationwide.
Why choose GERC as your government contracting consultant
- A woman-owned small business, certified as a California Small Business (Micro), registered in SAM.gov
- Led by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, PhD, with a background in economics, law and grant development
- One team for registrations, certifications, proposals and market research, so your records stay consistent
- Clear fixed fees and plain-language guidance
Grants, economic analysis and policy research for DC-area organizations
Many federal grant programs are run from Washington. GERC prepares benefit-cost analyses and applications for USDOT BUILD, INFRA and Mega and FEMA programs, and writes economic impact studies and policy white papers for associations, think tanks and nonprofits in the capital region. We also join DC-area primes as an economic and grant subconsultant. See Teaming Partners.
Other DC-area buyers
The DC government posts solicitations through the Office of Contracting and Procurement’s eSourcing system, where vendors register with their tax ID. WMATA (Metro) registers vendors through its own supplier portal. Register a few business days before a solicitation closes.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be local to help a DC-area business?
No. SAM.gov, SBA certifications and GSA offers are all submitted online, and agencies review them the same way wherever your consultant is based. We meet by video and phone.
Can you help a Virginia or Maryland business apply for 8(a)?
Yes. 8(a) is a federal SBA program, and we prepare applications for firms in every state under the 2026 rules.
Do you help with DC, Virginia or Maryland certifications?
Yes. We prepare SWaM applications in Virginia, MBE and Small Business Reserve registration in Maryland, and CBE certification in DC, and we register you in eVA, eMMA and the DC procurement system so you receive bids. For DBE certification, we prepare applications for your state’s Unified Certification Program.
What should a new DC-area contractor do first?
Register in SAM.gov, confirm your NAICS codes and small business size, then decide which certifications fit. We map that sequence in your first consultation.
Talk to a government contracting consultant
Book a consultation and we will map the registrations, certifications and bids that fit your business.