If You Don't Know About Vendor Pools, You're Losing Money Every Month

In this episode, Eric Coffie breaks down one of the most overlooked—but most powerful—entry points in government contracting: local vendor pool contracts. Using Miami-Dade County as an example, Eric shows how pre-qualification pools work, why they offer low competition, and how one of his students used this exact method to go from $0 to $90,000 per month in revenue. From finding underpopulated pools, to leveraging mandatory site visits, to understanding why local vendors have a massive advantage, Eric gives a step-by-step roadmap anyone can follow—even with no licenses, no certifications, and very little capital.

Key Takeaways

• Vendor pools = small competition + long-term contracts. Many city and county pool contracts run 5–8 years and allow late entry, giving local businesses repeatable opportunities with far fewer bidders than federal work.

• Local vendors have built-in advantages. Proximity, mandatory site visits, and the ability to estimate real competition make these contracts ideal for beginners with limited resources.

• Start with low-risk, high-demand categories. Rental equipment, debris removal, installation/maintenance, and simple supply items can be fulfilled using vendor credit (Home Depot, rental companies) with minimal upfront cost.

Learn more: https://federalhelpcenter.com/ https://govcongiants.org/ 

Join the bootcamp: https://govcongiants.org/bootcamp 

Watch the full Youtube Episode here: https://youtu.be/F-FfsZyySfw