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Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Small Carriers Should Be Watching Government Freight Right Now
Government freight isn't the secret shortcut social media makes it out to be—but for small fleets that are tired of chasing the spot market and ready to build something more stable, it's a lane worth learning. Over the past year, more owner-operators and small-carriers have started asking how to bid on government loads, especially as contract freight keeps shrinking and spot rates stay unpredictable. The truth is, government contracting—or GovCon, as it's often called—isn't a fast track. It's a structured lane with strict rules, longer payout cycles, and big paperwork. But for those who understand the game, it can also mean steady lanes, longer contracts, and consistent recently broke this all down in a deep-dive session inside the Playbook Masterclass—but here's what every small carrier needs to understand right now, whether you watched it live or not. Let's start with what's real. There's more freight out there than just what you're seeing on DAT and Truckstop. From local school districts needing weekly milk deliveries to FEMA emergency contracts that need box trucks on standby, the government buys more transportation than any private shipper in the here's what most carriers don't realize: a large portion of that freight is set aside specifically for small businesses. If you're a carrier with: Fewer than 500 employees Less than $30 million in annual revenue Proper authority and registration …you qualify to bid on many of these jobs. Some contracts are even reserved exclusively for small carriers or companies with certifications like Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, or Minority-Owned. But qualification doesn't mean readiness. Melanie Patterson, founder of Team Integrity Knowledge Center, a firm that assists small business owners with navigating the complexities of getting established as a government contractor said it best; 'Too many small carriers think GovCon is out of reach. The government buys everything—and they're required to buy from small businesses first. If you're set up right, you've already got a shot.' Let's be honest up front—GovCon is not for everybody. There are serious downsides that you need to be ready for: This isn't the world of quick pays and factoring. Expect Net 30, 45, or even 60 on some federal contracts. That means you'll need to float fuel, driver wages, insurance, and maintenance before that first check lands. If you're already tight on cash flow, this can bury set up in (the federal contractor registration system) isn't a simple sign-up form. You'll need your business structure in order, tax info, NAICS codes, and a banking setup ready to go. And even when you're registered, just being in doesn't get you work. You still have to find the bids, respond with a clean package, and compete on pricing and capability. Government customers use systems like WAWF (Wide Area Workflow) or IPP for invoicing. You can't just fire off a QuickBooks invoice. If your admin team—or your cousin managing the books—can't handle this, you're going to have serious delays. Despite all the red tape, government freight can be a game-changer for the right carrier with the right setup. Take this scenario: You're running one or two reefers. You've got a dependable driver. You know your cost per mile and have some admin support. Now picture this: A local USDA contract opens up to deliver temperature-controlled goods 3x per week to three counties. Total value? $180,000 over 10 months. No brokers. No bidding war. Just a clean response, a capability statement, and a pricing sheet. This happens more often than you think. But the carriers that win are the ones who are organized, registered, and pay attention to what's posted. You don't have to go all-in on federal contracts right away. Here are three ways small fleets are entering the GovCon space without overextending: Instead of going after the award yourself, link up with a prime contractor who already has it. They need reliable carriers to execute the work—and they handle the invoicing and compliance. You focus on delivering freight and building a relationship. Local governments—school boards, counties, state agencies—also need transport. These jobs often pay faster and come with less complexity. Some can be found on your state's procurement site, others are listed right on under 'State/Local'. Every week, the government posts small, low-dollar, short-term contracts for basic freight. These jobs are a great way to get your feet wet, understand the paperwork, and start building past performance—without locking into something huge. We've seen too many businesses win a government contract and lose money because they didn't calculate real costs. Here's a basic formula you need to know before quoting anything: Start with your cost per mile. Add admin time and billing complexity. Include buffers for fuel and unexpected accessorials. Factor in time delay on payments. If you quote like you're on a load board, you're going to sink. GovCon freight pays well—but only if you submit a complete, realistic rate that covers your full operation. As Melanie shared in Masterclass: 'You don't win contracts by bidding the lowest. You win them by bidding clean, fair, and clearly.' If you want to explore this lane, there are four things you need to get in order first: – Get your Unique Entity ID (UEI), DUNS no longer used. Free to register. – A 1-page resume for your business. Lists your equipment, service area, and past performance. – Build a template that calculates your breakeven per load and gives you a buffer. – Keep your COI, DOT/MC info, safety rating, driver roster, and endorsements in one place. Optional (but powerful): Certifications like WOSB, MBE, DBE, or 8(a) can put you in front of set-aside contracts you won't see otherwise. The freight market is full of noise right now. Everyone's chasing the next hot load or hoping rates bounce back. But the carriers that will survive and scale in 2025 are the ones building systems and securing freight they can count on. Government work isn't for everyone—but for those who want out of the chaos and into something consistent, this is a lane worth learning. And no—you don't need a $2 million fleet or a full compliance department. You just need: A clean setup A smart plan A willingness to execute This isn't a shortcut. It's a shift in strategy. But for those ready to shift, there's real opportunity here. If you want more help with the setup, the bidding, or understanding how to structure your backend to support this freight—our Masterclass covered all of that. You can catch the replay in the portal. But even if you never watch it, now you know what's possible. And for a small carrier, that knowledge could be your edge. The post Why Small Carriers Should Be Watching Government Freight Right Now appeared first on FreightWaves. Connectez-vous pour accéder à votre portefeuille
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Request for Proposal - Curriculum Development for Behavioral Health Aide Training (BHAT) Level 1 Modules - Wind River Family & Community Health Care
Introduction The Wind River Family and Community Health Care (WRFCHC) is seeking proposals for the development and implementation of a comprehensive curriculum for Behavioral Health Aide Training (BHAT) Level 1 modules. This curriculum must align with identified learning objectives and the Indian Health Service (IHS) standards and procedures. WRFCHC encourages competitive bids from qualified vendors to ensure compliance with federal procurement regulations. Scope of Work The selected vendor will be responsible for delivering a robust curriculum that prepares trainees for effective behavioral health service delivery in tribal and rural settings. The scope of work includes but is not limited to: 1. Stakeholder Engagement: o Conduct monthly meetings with WRFCHC staff and key Indian Health Services (IHS) partners to align on project progress, gather input, and ensure curriculum relevancy. o Travel quarterly to the Wind River Indian Reservation to meet in person with staff, partners, and community members for in-depth collaboration. 2. Curriculum Development: o Organize and develop content for BHAT Level 1 modules that meet identified learning objectives outlined in IHS standards and procedures. o Identify and coordinate with subject matter experts to design core content and ensure alignment with cultural and regional relevancy. o Collaborate with experts to integrate alternative learning formats such as plain language, videos, written materials, and auditory options to ensure accessibility for diverse learners. 3. Instructional Design and Delivery: o Work with instructional designers to create course materials for WyoLearn course shells. o Establish in-module learning checks and evaluation metrics to monitor participant progress and competency achievement. 4. Evaluation: o Develop and implement evaluation tools to assess the impact of the training on participant knowledge, skill development, and application in service settings. Submission Guidelines Proposals must include the following information: ● A detailed project plan outlining the approach, methodology, and timeline for each deliverable. ● A budget and cost breakdown. ● References from previous similar projects. ● A current W9 form. ● Cage and/or vendor information (if available). Proposal Submission Proposals must be submitted electronically to the following individuals no later than February 27, 2025: ● Janae Harris, Grants Management Office: [ ● Kayla Hill, CEO's Office: [ Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be considered. Please ensure that all required documentation is included in the submission. Timeline ● RFP Issued: February 25, 2025 ● Proposal Submission Deadline: February 27, 2025 ● Proposal Review Period: February 28– March 7, 2025 ● Notification of Award: March 10, 2025 ● Project Start Date: March 24, 2025 Contact Information For questions regarding this RFP, please contact: Melvin Arthur Director of Education Excellence Division Wind River Family and Community Health Care 307-231-6414 WRFCHC looks forward to receiving your proposal and thanks you for your interest in supporting behavioral health education in our community.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alaska's delegation can protect federal workers and critical funding
The east entrance of the federal building holding the U.S. courthouse is seen on July 8, 2024. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Recent executive actions affecting the federal workforce are disrupting Alaskan jobs and funding. Alaska federal workers and contractors, along with essential funding, are currently facing a barrage of growing challenges that threaten the strength and stability of our state. Our family, friends, and neighbors who have dedicated their careers to serving our country, working on contracts to support our nation's priorities, or benefiting from federally funded programs to improve their lives are scared and confused. Critical federal dollars have been frozen, bringing community-driven projects and efforts to a standstill, while thousands of Alaska-based federal contractors are questioning whether or not they will be paid. Alaskan federal employees are being pressured to spy and report on their colleagues, relocate their families, and leave their jobs under the guise of a 'buyout.' Regardless of how they might feel about the federal government or which political party is in power, I'm hopeful that Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, and Rep. Nick Begich understand that a functioning federal government is essential for a functioning Alaska. The Alaska delegation can respond to these disruptions by urging President Trump to uphold existing laws, ensure clear communication, and protect Alaska's economic stability. Federal employees, contractors, and dollars are vital to a thriving Alaska. According to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the federal government employs over 15,000 Alaskans and, in 2023 (according to data from spent more than $3.8 billion on contracts across the state. Additionally, billions of federal dollars that fund locally led initiatives related to health care, education, energy, law enforcement, transportation, recreation, housing, habitat restoration, disaster relief, etc., have been frozen. Alaskans understand that federal employees, contractors, and dollars play a critical role in our communities. We see the on-the-ground results of these projects and share meals with these folks. Together, as Alaskans, we can stand up for our federal workers and dollars. The delegation has options to reign in executive overreach: Ensuring Alaskan families don't need to relocate by upholding the congressionally passed Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. Uphold the Impoundment Control Act and use congressional authority to immediately lift the freeze on federal grants and loans to prevent unnecessary funding delays, job losses, and legal challenges. Meet with Office of Personnel Management leadership and request an end to vague, government-wide email memorandums. Instead, encourage OPM to engage with career civil servants in crafting realistic reform procedures based on practical timelines, union contracts, and established law. By the end of the week, the Alaska delegation could write and publicly publish a joint letter to President Trump addressing these issues and outlining the steps they are taking. Ideally, those steps could include holding community town hall meetings to hear from impacted Alaskans and congressional hearings on President Trump's executive overreach. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
