FAQs
FAQs for QGSI Federal Webpage
How do I register my small business with Qwest Government Services Inc. (QGSI)?
You will need to complete the online Supplier Qualification Form to be placed in QGSI's database of potential suppliers. Our supplier database is a primary resource tool used throughout the organization to identify qualified suppliers for participation in upcoming bids. If there's an opportunity, a QGSI staff member will contact you.
How does QGSI evaluate suppliers?
In evaluating your capabilities, QGSI considers such factors as:
- Business history
- Quality and service standards
- Competitive pricing
- Geographic footprint
- Delivery history
- Financial stability
- Past performance within the federal community
- Niche or innovative technology offerings
Does QGSI team with small businesses solely as a prime contractor?
No, Qwest Government Services Inc. pursues both primary and subcontractor teaming opportunities. QGSI works with qualified small businesses in pursuing strategic set-asides where each party can bring strength to the team.
What does the term "certified" mean when referring to diverse businesses (minority, woman, veteran, small and disadvantaged)?
To become "certified", a business must be validated by a 3rd party certifying agency that ensures a business is actually owned, controlled, and operated by the diverse applicant (small, small disadvantaged (minority), women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone businesses). This due diligence ensures only those businesses that meet the strict eligibility requirements of the program are certified.
What are the different types of certifications available?
Certifications are available for small, minority, women, veterans, and HUBZone businesses. The advocacy organizations listed below provide third-party certification information. Please contact the appropriate organization from the following list:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) www.nmsdc.org
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) www.wbenc.org
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) www.sba.gov
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) www.cpuc.ca.gov
- National Women Business Owners Corporation (ASDV) www.asdv.org
- National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) www.nwboc.org
- US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) www.uspaacc.com
Some local and state governments have their own small, minority and woman-owned business certifications. Please check the web sites of your local and state governments for information.
Is my company eligible for certification?
Business owners must meet certain criteria in order to become certified. There are basic guidelines and requirements common to many certification programs; however each certifying agency may have additional or different criteria. Some of the basic requirements for minority and/or women business owner certifications are as follows:
- The business is 51% or greater owned and controlled by one or more minorities or women. The applicant(s) must be able to show that the history of company management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more minorities or women.
- The term "minority" refers to ethnic minority of either gender of the following categories: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American and Asian-Indian American
- Business owners must be a U.S. Citizen however some certification agencies will accept Legal Resident Alien status.
How can I become certified?
For more information about certification, contact the above mentioned agencies.
How long will the certification process take?
The certification process can range from 30-90 days once the application is submitted to the certification agency. The length of time varies and is dependent upon the certification agency and if additional documentation is needed in order to complete the application process. Although each certification application includes a checklist of required documents, occasionally certifying agencies will require explanations or additional documents in order to complete the application review process. This is usually based on the complexity of the ownership and/or management of the applicant company.
Are there any additional documents needed to become an approved supplier with QGSI?
To give QGSI's program credibility and meet federal regulations, we must obtain your business certification verifying your business type based on NAICS code criteria (see NAICS website
Prior to approval, all businesses are required to provide us with their Online Representation and Certification Application (ORCA) record. If you do not have an ORCA record, please visit the ORCA website
Does registering with the Small Business Program ensure that QGSI will do business with me?
No, the Small Business Program helps companies to be considered for business with QGSI. We cannot guarantee supplier registration will ensure business.
What are the benefits of joining QGSI's Small Business Program?
The benefits of small business program participants include:
- Access to corporate contacts
- Access to small business contract opportunities within the public sector
- Increased visibility throughout the QGSI organization
- Opportunity to strategically offer competitively priced products and services
- Potential to achieve profitable growth for your company
I have registered as a supplier with Qwest Government Services, what do I do next?
Once you have registered in our supplier database, you will receive a confirmation email notifying you that your profile has been successfully submitted. Because of the volume of inquiries that we receive, you will not be contacted by a Qwest employee unless a procurement requirement matches your company's offering. You will then be asked to respond to a Request For Quote (RFQ), Request For Information (RFI) or Request For Proposal (RFP).
How can I get in touch with a business unit directly?
Due to the large volume of inquiries we receive, we do not provide direct phone numbers or email addresses of our internal business units. Instead we use the supplier database as a means of routing supplier information to the appropriate parties. If you have a product or service you would like to introduce to QGSI, please register with us in the supplier database.
Where can I see a list of opportunities to bid on?
We do not post a list of open Request for Proposals (RFP). Our procurement team and pertinent QGSI employees will search in our supplier database for matching suppliers when a RFP is required and will contact these companies by phone or email. Please register with our database to have your company profile made available for viewing.
What commodities and services do you purchase?
QGSI has a broad array of commodity and services needs with requirements that vary by solicitation. The vast majority of opportunities with QGSI, can be found in Subsector 517 (Telecommunications) and Subsector 541 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) of SBA's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) (www.sba.gov).
When you fill out your application form make sure you indicate your primary industry code(s) using NAICS in order for us to quickly search for your specific industry in our database.