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Select local or federal government consulting firms that offer competitive prices

Pricing and costs of government consulting companies vary depending on your geographic region. In general, government contract consultants services will be more expensive in a metropolitan area than in a suburban or rural area. The billing expenses for consulting for government can range from $1,000 to more than $100,000 per month depending upon the scope and complexity of the service contract.

I recommend: New York-based NESC determines fees by the project scope and client budget. Threat Analysis Group features commercial hourly rates and GSA contract hourly rates for several government consulting positions in Texas, with prices ranging from $95 an hour to $250 an hour.

Choose hourly billing for short-term or project-based government relations consultants contracts

Billable hours is a popular pricing structure in government consulting. Billable hours are calculated by the number of hours needed to complete a project based on the government consultant's billing rate, typically ranging from $50 to $200 an hour. Be sure to dictate a maximum monthly fee in your government consulting contract.

I recommend: ASR Strategic Resources offers either fixed rate pricing for project-based contracts or hourly rate pricing with the option of standard hourly and overtime rates or fixed hourly rates. Big Kahuna Consulting offers web marketing, public relations and consulting services for governments and businesses at hourly rates around $85 for a three-month contract.

Select retainer billing for long-term government contract consultants relationships

A retainer approach is a smart strategy to budget for the pricing and costs of government consultants. Once the government consulting firm and your business have determined your consulting needs, the government consulting agency calculates a monthly fee. With a retainer, your business knows what to expect each month; but be aware that a retainer may limit the time your government consulting firm can spend on your account each month.

I recommend: Lawrence Kilty Associates offers a Comprehensive Market Coverage consulting contract to develop new opportunities for your company in the federal government, which includes 40 hours per month with a six-month minimum. Get more information on how much your business should budget for long-term government consultants at CapturePlanning.com.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before you sign a contract with government consultants, make sure your contract includes a 60-day cancellation clause. The cancellation clause is important in the event you aren't satisfied with your government consulting services.

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Hire government relations consultants that specialize in politics

Select government consultants who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your business or industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Carmen Group, Inc., is a Washington, DC-based Federal lobbying and government relations firms that features an online client list. Alcalde & Fay, a lobbying, communications and government marketing firm, offers an extensive list of past and present clients.

Choose government consulting firms with proven skills

Review the consulting work provided by each consulting for government firm. Evaluate the government consulting companies' experience, qualifications and certifications and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need.

I recommend: Gotham Government Relations offers legal and government relations services, and has experience working with NY city and state government officials. American Continental Group, LLC, provides advocacy, public affairs, strategic communications and business development services to help corporations, associations and non profit organizations shape public policy. Get a free packet with samples of client work at Campaign Connections.

Select a government consultant that meets your budget

Many government consultant firms operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly fee structure for short-term projects. Your government consultant cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a quote for political and public affairs strategic communication services at Franzen & Company or The Trammell Group. Phil Noble & Associates designs its business relationships to serve each client's individual budget needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that it is written into your contract that the Federal government consulting firm will not provide services to any competing candidate, issue or campaign during the course of your business relationship.
• •  It is tempting to save time by interviewing just one government consultant agency. However, it is in your organization's best interest to contact and interview contact several government consulting companies to discuss your potential project. Two or three choices will provide you with the best possible match in skills, services, price and rapport for both you and the government consultant firm.

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Hire government contract consultants who will navigate government policies to benefit your business

Government relations consultants provide valuable skills in negotiating government contracts for your business. Not only do government contract consultants have the experience and knowledge to help your business win government bids, but they have an extensive network of relationships with policy making organizations and agencies.

I recommend: Carlton Fields offers a network of government relationships formed to address a diverse assortment of administrative, legislative and procedural issues to benefit businesses. Learn more about how government consultants can help businesses shape public policy at American Continental Group.

Select experienced government consultants to advance government or lobbyist agency agendas

For effective federal consultant services for government and lobbying groups, look for government consulting companies with extensive experience. Hire federal consulting firms with a broad range of services as government consulting needs can change within weeks, days or even hours depending on the current government and economic climate.

I recommend: L-1 Identity Solutions provides government consulting services for the intelligence community, geospatial community and federal, state and local government agencies. Determine which government consultant services best meet your business needs at LMI.

Choose political consulting firms with winning campaign results

Before selecting government consultants specializing in political campaigns, check out their previous and current client list. Hire political consulting firms with a record of winning political and business campaigns. Review each government consulting firm's portfolio to determine if the firm's communication style is on target with your political goals.

I recommend: Maurice Bonamigo and Associates is a political consulting firm that focuses on Congressional, Senate and Gubernatorial campaign management, and provides services like issue formulation, campaign strategy development, debate preparation and media consulting. Get information about how political consulting firms can benefit your organization at PoliticalConsulting.info.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  No matter what type of government consulting firm you need, be sure the government consultants on your account have extensive media and public relations skills. Whenever dealing with policy or government issues, it is important for your company to develop an effective communications campaign that reflects your business agenda in a favorable light with key markets and the general public.

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Central Contractor Registration

Central Contractor Registration is a database containing information about goods, services, point of contact information, and financial data like tax identification numbers for anyone that enters into a contract with the government. Any sole proprietor or business working with government is required to register with CCR.

I recommend: CCR's federal webpage explains what CCR is, what information it contains, who is required to register and how to become a registered contractor.

Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy

The Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy is the set of policies governing the acquisition of weapons systems, information systems and other systems and technology by the Department of Defense. It's important to understand these policies as a government consultant working with the Department of Defense or other security body.

I recommend: The Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy federal website describes the policy and explains its mission.

Federal Procurement Data System

The Federal Procurement Data System, or FPDS, is a system that tracks all government contracts and collects data about spending and accounts. As a government consultant, it's important to be able to navigate FPDS and understand its function.

I recommend: Visit the FPDS website to learn more about why the system is necessary, how it benefits contractors and how to register.

CAGE Code

The CAGE Code is a code that identifies contractors working with the federal government. The Commercial And Government Entity code provides tax information and can be used to identify security clearances.

I recommend: The Defense Logistics Information Service website provides more information about the CAGE Code that is important for contractors and consultants to know.

E-Government

E-government, often shortened to e-gov, refers to the transition of government dealings and operations to online operation. The term indicates that more government operations and functions are now being performed online or via satellite.

I recommend: The World Bank describes e-government and explains how the concept is changing the way that the government does business.

Supply chain management

Supply chain management is the management of the specific process that results in the production of goods, services or policies. In government consulting, supply chain management could include management of production of supplies such as military aircrafts, the accounting of federal budgets, or the process of policy writing.

I recommend: Rockford Consulting offers an explanation of supply chain management that can easily be applied to the realm of government consulting.