Government Loads for Your Trucking Business. By: Sarah Igbere
00 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S WHY MOST TRUCKERS ARE LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE 01 THE TRUTH ABOUT GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS 02 GETTING REGISTERED AND CERTIFIED 03 BIDDING ON CONTRACTS – WINNING TAKES WORK 04 HOW TO OUTBID THE BIG BOYS 05 COMPLIANCE WITHOUT THE HEADACHE 06 WINNING YOUR FIRST CONTRACT 07 SCALING YOUR BUSINESS 08 THE REAL TOOLS NOBODY TALKS ABOUT 09 CONCLUSION 00
1 Introduction: The Game You’ve Been Losing (Without Even Knowing It) Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re in the trucking business and not tapping into government contracts, you’re leaving serious money on the table. I’m talking about the kind of money that changes your life—the kind that turns small fleets into empires, one contract at a time. You’ve probably heard a lot of BS about government loads being out of reach, complicated, or "reserved" for the big dogs. And that’s exactly why you’re here, reading this book, stuck with small-time loads while other truckers are pulling in six figures on government work. This book isn’t here to sugarcoat things or waste your time with feel-good stories. It’s here to tell you the truth—the real, blunt, no-BS truth about how the trucking industry operates when it comes to government contracts, and how you’ve been sleeping on one of the biggest opportunities in the business. Think government contracts are too complicated? That’s the excuse that’s keeping you broke. Let me break it down for you: government freight is consistent, well-paying, and exactly what you need to level up. But the problem isn’t with the system—it’s with you. You’re either scared, lazy, or clueless. Maybe all three. It’s time to fix that. You want to get your trucks running loads for the government? Good. I’m going to show you exactly how to do that, without the hand-holding, without the fluff.
2 Chapter 1: Why Most Truckers Are Leaving Money on the Table Let’s not sugarcoat this: the majority of truckers out there are playing small. And it’s not because they don’t work hard. It’s because they don’t know where to focus their hustle. Sure, you’re driving your loads, hitting your deadlines, maybe even running your own fleet. But if you're not getting in on government contracts, you’re just scraping by while leaving a mountain of cash on the table. Why? Because you're stuck in the cycle. The same grind, the same loads, and the same customers who keep screwing you on rates. You’re out here fighting tooth and nail for contracts that barely cover your fuel and maintenance, all while thinking this is just how it is in the trucking game. You couldn’t be more wrong. Let me spell it out for you: there are billions of dollars up for grabs in government contracts. Federal, state, local—you name it. And while you’re out here running yourself ragged for pennies, other truckers—who aren’t any better than you—are cashing government checks for loads that pay double or triple what you’re making now. Want to know why you’re not seeing that money? Because you’ve bought into the myth that government contracts are too hard to get, too complicated, or just for the big players. That's the BS you’ve been fed. And it’s keeping you broke. The Lie You’ve Been Told The trucking industry loves to throw around the idea that government contracts are out of reach. It’s part of the culture, right? You hear it at truck stops, from your competition, and maybe even from the people who are supposed to be advising you. They say government work is too much hassle, or that only big companies can win those contracts. And you bought into it because it feels easier to keep doing what you’ve been doing. Here’s the truth you need to hear: it’s all a lie. The truth is, government contracts are wide open for small businesses—hell, the government prefers to work with small businesses. They have entire programs set up to give small businesses an edge when it comes to contracting. They’ve got quotas to meet. That means there’s money on the table just waiting for someone like you to come in and scoop it up. But instead of taking advantage, you’ve been spinning your wheels with private loads that don’t even cover the cost of your truck’s maintenance.
3 Ask yourself this: if the system is really as hard as they say, why are so many smaller outfits quietly landing contracts and thriving? It’s because they took the time to figure it out, while you’ve been content with the scraps the industry throws your way. Stop Playing the Small-Time Game Truckers love to talk about hustling. But are you hustling for the right thing? Are you playing a game that’s actually going to set you up for real success, or are you just grinding away, hoping something changes? Newsflash: nothing’s going to change until you change. If you keep chasing the same old private sector loads, you’ll keep getting the same results. The government contracts are there, waiting for you to step up, but you’ve been too scared, lazy, or misinformed to go after them. That’s the harsh truth. And while you’ve been playing small, other truckers are securing fat government checks for loads you could be running. This isn’t just about making more money. It’s about getting off the hamster wheel. It’s about securing long-term, reliable contracts that don’t just keep your trucks moving, but build your business into something sustainable—something that grows. It’s about stepping out of the small-time hustle and into the big leagues. How the Smart Ones Are Playing the Game The truckers who are killing it in government contracting aren’t smarter than you. They don’t have better trucks or more experience. They just decided they weren’t going to settle for the crumbs the private sector keeps handing out. They went after the contracts that everyone else said were “too hard.” And guess what? They landed them. They figured out that once you’re in, you’re in. The government likes consistency, and they love contractors who can handle the load and follow the rules. Here’s the kicker: once you’ve landed a government contract, you’re not just making money—you’re making more money for less effort. No more chasing down late payments or dealing with lowballers who don’t respect your work. Government loads pay on time, every time, and once you’ve proven yourself, you’re going to keep getting work. The Wake-Up Call It’s time to wake the hell up and stop pretending that this “hard work” is all it takes. You can work hard and stay broke. Or you can work smart and actually make money. This chapter is your wake-up call. If you keep playing the same game, you’re going to keep getting the same results. But if you’re ready to step up, ready to stop leaving money on the table, this book is your roadmap to getting in on government contracts and finally breaking out of the grind.
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5 Chapter 2: The Truth About Government Contracts Alright, let’s get into it. We’re about to cut through all the nonsense you've been fed about government contracts. Forget what you’ve heard. This chapter is going to rip apart the myths and serve up the facts raw. Here’s the truth: government contracts are not some elite club that only massive corporations or political insiders get access to. That’s what they want you to think. But the reality is much simpler. And much better for someone like you. The government isn’t looking for excuses not to hire you. Quite the opposite—they’re practically begging for small businesses, especially in the trucking industry, to step up and take these contracts. They've got quotas to meet. They’re required to allocate a significant portion of their contracts to small businesses. That’s right: they need you. Myth 1: Government Contracts Are Too Complicated Let’s just squash this right now: bullshit. You’ve been told that government contracts come with miles of red tape, confusing paperwork, and insane requirements that only a lawyer could understand. Sure, there’s paperwork, and yeah, you’ve got to follow the rules. But it’s not rocket science, and it’s definitely not the nightmare people make it out to be. Here’s the truth: if you can manage a DOT audit, handle your ELDs, and keep your safety ratings in check, then you can handle the requirements of a government contract. The same discipline you use to run your trucking business? Apply that here, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of the competition. You don’t need to be a legal expert, a government insider, or have connections in high places. All you need is a solid understanding of the process—and a little bit of patience to get registered and compliant. And let’s face it, the hoops you’re jumping through right now just to keep private customers happy are far worse than anything the government will ask of you.
6 Myth 2: Only Big Companies Win Contracts Let me blow your mind for a second: over 23% of government contracts are required to go to small businesses. That’s not a suggestion, that’s the law. These contracts aren’t all going to giant, multinational corporations. In fact, the government is constantly looking for small, reliable, and consistent companies—like yours—to bid on work. Think about it: the U.S. government moves everything. We’re talking about goods for military bases, construction materials, relief supplies, mail, medical equipment, food for schools—everything. And someone has to haul that stuff. Why shouldn’t that someone be you? Stop thinking small. Stop imagining that only the FedEx’s and UPS’s of the world can get in on this action. You can start with smaller, local contracts and grow from there. The government has contracts on every level—federal, state, and local. Start small, build your rep, and watch the work roll in. Myth 3: Government Work Isn’t Worth the Effort Here’s a fun fact: government contracts often pay way better than private loads. Why? Because the government pays for quality and consistency. They don’t want cut corners. They want reliable contractors who show up on time, follow the rules, and get the job done. And they’re willing to pay top dollar for that. What’s more, once you’re in, you’re in. You’re not scrambling to find your next gig. You’re not dealing with brokers who try to squeeze every last cent out of you. With a government contract, you get paid on time, every time. The contract terms are clear, the payment process is locked down, and as long as you’re doing your job, the work keeps coming. This is the kind of long-term, guaranteed money that private sector work just can’t offer you. No more feast or famine. No more wondering if you’ll get stiffed on payment. The government isn’t going bankrupt anytime soon, and their budget for logistics is massive. The Real Barrier: Your Own Doubts Now that we’ve bulldozed through the myths, let’s talk about the real barrier: you. The biggest thing standing between you and a government contract is your own hesitation. That little voice in your head telling you this is too hard, or you’re not ready, or it’s not for you.
7 Newsflash: that voice is lying. You’ve survived in the toughest industry out there. You’ve got grit, and you know how to run a business. There’s no reason you can’t thrive in government contracting. It’s time to stop psyching yourself out and step up. Think about the truckers who are landing these contracts. Do you think they’re smarter than you? Do you think they’re better equipped? Hell no. They just took the plunge, and they didn’t stop until they won. The Simple Roadmap: What You Need to Do Let me make this easy for you. To get in on the government contracting game, here’s what you need to do: 1. Register Your Business on SAM.gov: This is the first step. You can’t play the game if you’re not registered. Go to SAM.gov and get set up. It’s free, and you need this to qualify for federal contracts. 2. Get Your Certifications: There are certifications designed specifically to help small businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses win contracts. If you qualify, these certifications give you a huge leg up. 3. Start Local: Don’t go after that massive Pentagon contract just yet. Start with your state or city’s procurement office. Look for smaller contracts, nail those, and build your reputation. Once you’ve got a few wins under your belt, you’ll be ready to go after the bigger fish. 4. Bid Smart, Bid Often: This isn’t a one-and-done deal. The more you bid, the more you learn, and the better your chances get. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t win your first contract. Keep at it, refine your bids, and soon enough, you’ll start seeing results. The Bottom Line The truth is out. Government contracts aren’t too complicated, and they’re not just for the big dogs. The only thing keeping you from cashing in is your own hesitation. And now that you know the facts, there’s no excuse. The money’s there. Are you going to go after it, or are you going to keep playing small?
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