WHAT IS A TEAMING CO-OP?

A Teaming Cooperative is a mutual collaboration of companies supporting each other by sharing strengths and resources to pursue and win more contract opportunities. A Teaming Co-Op is an extension of your Capture Team.

HOW DOES A TEAMING CO-OP WORK?

• Teaming Co-Op is a program created and supported by the Government Contractors Association
• Businesses join a Teaming  Chapter within a niche industry
• Chapter members pool their resources to support each other
• A Capture Manager will help facilitate and manage the activities of the Chapter
• Chapter members meet weekly in Capture Sessions to build trust and pursue bid opportunities
• An Opportunity Manager will source bids for the group to pursue
• Teams are formed to pursue opportunities (Sub/Prime/Teaming/JV/MP-JV/etc)
• A GCA proposal manager will write the proposal
• Awards are won and teaming partners perform the projects

WHAT TYPES OF VALUES AND RESOURCES ARE SHARED BY CO-OP MEMBERS?

• Relationships: The strength of your company's relationships with the customer or a contracting officer “KO” is often the most important factor in winning contracts. Leveraging relationships from your teaming partners will open more doors to agencies.
• Past Performances: Most projects require 3 relevant past performances as part of the proposal package. This area is often a challenge for some companies. Your goal in preparing to address this requirement is to start by being a subcontractor, but this can take too long. A shorter path is engaging in a teaming partnership with others who have past performances in areas you may lack.
• Management Team: Some projects require key personnel that your company may not have. You may not have a deep bench of professionals. Hiring new staff is out of the question if you're on a tight budget. You can recruit and sign a contingent-to-hire person, but that talent may not be around when you land your award. Borrowing key personnel from teaming partners can help you fill these gaps.
• Technical Solutions: Your technical capabilities and your ability to explain it through technical writing sets your company apart from your competitors. You need SMEs and a strong proposal team to help you address technical requirements.
• Pricing Strategies: Pricing is often a major factor in the decision process, especially if it is LPTA/price sensitive. To be competitive, you’ll need other service providers outside your company to keep your operational costs low.
• Small Business Certifications: Large companies need small businesses with certifications to support projects with subcontracting requirements and to potentially pursue set-aside opportunities. Small businesses need large companies for subcontracting opportunities and to take the lead on sole-source and set-aside initiatives. Working in a collaborative manner helps both sides to achieve these needs.
• Other Key Factors: There are other key ingredients such as compliance, professional licenses, quality standards, clearances, cyber security, insurance, financial capabilities, and other factors that are needed to be successful in landing contracts.

Many of the above resources inherently require multiple companies to collaborate in a cooperative manner. This is at the heart of why you should consider joining a Teaming Co-Op Chapter.

WHAT DO I RECEIVE BY JOINING A TEAMING CO-OP?

• Greater chance to win more contracts
• Support and shared resources from Co-Op Members
• A Capture Manager to help facilitate and support the needs of the Chapter
• A Proposal Manager to help write proposals for Co-Op Members (only when pursuing in teams)
• An Opportunity Manager to source bids and opportunities
• Membership in GCA + training events: www.govevent.com
• Sales Training in the Certified Capture Manager Program: www.capturemanagement.org
• Plus, so much more: see the complete list: https://govassociation.org/teamingmembership

• Must bring multiple values to the Chapter (Certifications/Past Performance/Relationships/Capabilities/Clearance/etc.)
• A spirit and attitude of sharing, giving, and receiving (our motto: sharing is receiving)
• 2 Years in business or longer (may ask for waiver)
• Must have business revenue (no threshold)
• Commitment to have a representative attend the weekly capture meeting
• Abide by the Teaming Co-Op code of ethics
• Application process is reviewed by Membership Committee (MC)
• Exception to the rules can be waived by MC

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO JOIN AND HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO INVEST?

STEP 1: Find a Teaming Co-Op Chapter and attend a chapter meeting (email us: teamingcoop@govcontractors.org)

STEP 2: Submit an application for consideration: (choose the industry chapter)

     - IT / HR Teaming Co-op Chapter: https://form.jotform.com/240395008480151

     - Construction - Facilities Teaming Co-op Chapter: https://form.jotform.com/242876123437157 

STEP 3: Receive approval from the Membership Committee

STEP 4: Pay the one-time Teaming Co-Op Setup Fee ($5000): https://govassociation.org/Sys/Store/Products/354119

STEP 5: Pay the first month Membership Dues ($1500 recurring monthly): Must complete steps 1-4.   https://www.govassociation.org/teamingmembership

STEP 6: Complete the GCA New Member Orientation (a link will be provided to you by the Membership Director)