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The CRAB Training series is designed to teach small emerging business owners the importance of obtaining certifications. Once these are obtained registering the company on multiple databases can provide to be an effective method of proactive marketing. Many users search the web daily for vendors who can not only offer specific goods and services but have specific certifications. By searching these databases, the potential clients can filter through thousands of entries with a profile that will only match specific companies. After this list is created, the user can notify the companies by e-mail or correspondence of current and future contract bids. These 4 modules will inform the business owner of the procedures for certifying a company, registering on multiple sites, applying for contracts, and business networking.

Certification
In this part you will review statistics that show the percentage and total contract dollars that have been allocated and awarded by the government to companies that meet specific criteria, such as 8a, SDB, HubZone, and woman-and minority-owned certified. Each year Federal and state agencies establish targets for companies in these categories. This module describes the advantages of certification. It defines several types of federal, state, and private certifications that can be obtained. It describes the fields included in the Central Contractor’s database and shows you how to use these fields to find local contractors. These examples will emphasize how easy it is for out of town prime contractors to find your business on this database. They regularly search this database to identify potential vendors. This proactive marketing technique costs you only the time it takes to add your profile to the database. For more information click here for the introduction module.

Registration
This module lists five main things that a business owner must have to register on the Central Contractor’s database (CCR). It defines a Metropolitan Statistical Area and define the economic profile for Mobile. It defines NAICS and CAGE codes, DUNS numbers, TIN and EFT numbers, quality assurance standards for business, and describes how this information can be used to register your company on different databases. The module lists various local businesses and how to register with them. It is important that you register with everyone that you can. Do not miss any opportunity to get your profile to the public. For more information click here for the introduction module.

Application
This unit will describe how databases such as FedBizOpps and USABID can help you find open bids. The units describe the various steps in the bidding process and how to maximize your chances of acquiring a contract. There is a practical exercise that shows you how to find bid notices on three different websites. It concludes with a review of the Mobile economic development plan and names three new projects in Mobile that will solicit bids from contractors. Other local businesses such as the Mobile School System, the Alabama State Docks, Alabama Power, The Mobile Water and Sewer System, and the University of South Alabama are included. The Softshare program offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Alabama is described. This database is free to the SBDC clients. Company profiles in this database are matched each week with bids on various databases. Any bid matches that are made are forwarded to the company in the email address on file. This module should be very helpful in identifying the best way for your company to find open bids. For more information click here for the introduction module.

Business Networking
In this unit you will learn about several local and web-based networks that offer resources for your business. It will identify three tax credits available for businesses that network with employment services for disabled workers. It will describe the function and services of business incubators in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Finally it will describe many services provided by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce to new and emerging companies. For more information click here for the introduction module.

Introduction