Who to Keep Your Eyes On
What are the top NAICS codes in which you do business?
Our primary NAICS code is 541519; however, Digital Hands has the capacity to provide a range of products and services in many of the 541 categories and PSC codes.
Why are you interested in expanding into federal contracting?
We have the capability to expand our footprint and bring our experience and knowledge, gained in a hyper-competitive enterprise market, to the federal market. By leveraging the company's technical expertise, financial success and, now, our socioeconomic status as a woman-owned small business, we are prepared to offer our services to address government agencies’ needs for data and network security. In 2012, Digital Hands obtained an EDWOSB certification to augment our technical capabilities and provide exceptional service, high-quality technical support, and low-risk solutions to federal government clients.
What were your initial steps to position your company for federal contracting?
Digital Hands offers services that are not typically requested in federally posted opportunities. Knowing that fact and to identify our most likely path to success, we performed a preliminary business development analysis of federal entities. This helped us to learn which agencies were most active in buying IT security services. The results led us to a finalized roadmap with a very focused strategy that identified potential agency buyers and teaming partners.
The next step was to obtain our EDWOSB certification. Several months following that success, we applied for a GSA IT 70 because we understood the value of an additional vehicle to enhance agencies’ ease to contract with Digital Hands. We retained consultants to assist and guide us through the GSA process. Subsequently, we were awarded our schedule within 2 months of submission. We then hired the same consultant to help in the development of our first several RFP responses and build templates for future opportunities. By learning from skilled mentors, we strengthened our response process so that we 1) can now readily identify appropriate opportunities for our company and 2) understand the components and language of solid and substantial responses to RFIs, Sources Sought, and RFPs. We will also consider submitting unsolicited proposals as appropriate. Based on our business development analysis, we have now expanded our partner network to include new federal prime contractors.
During this entire process, we have relied on WIPP and its leadership for support, education, and collaboration with its vast member network.
With EDWOSB status Digital Hands is able to act as a prime. Is this your main objective for working with the federal government?
We are available and interested to contract both as a prime and a sub. Being a prime makes sense when an agency wants to set-aside an opportunity for an EDWOSB firm or has requirements that are established on our GSA IT 70. Working with partners is our legacy from the enterprise sector; it is our DNA. Since our inception, we have sub-contracted to large Fortune-ranked organizations, supporting them as their nimble and scalable service development and deployment team under their brand name. Because we have this depth of experience in providing services on behalf of large partner companies, we understand how to support and add value to large primes and others looking for an experienced, low risk sub-contractor.
We have always “private labeled” for other large organizations, becoming their fast track service development and deployment team under their brand name. Because we have a depth of experience in providing services on behalf of our large partner companies, we understand how to support and add value to large primes and others looking for an experienced, low risk sub-contractor.
Charlotte Baker, CEO, Digital Hands
www.wipp.org