Blu Riderz Builds on Success with First Federal Contract

For Blu Riderz JV, a Minot-based construction company, completing its first federal government contract represented more than a successful project; it provided valuable experience and a foundation for pursuing future opportunities.

Blu Riderz CEO Ivan Guerrero and his son, Diego Guerrero, credit the ND APEX Accelerator team with helping them navigate the federal contracting process and prepare for success.

The company had previous experience performing contracts for state and local entities, but federal contracting introduced a new level of complexity. According to the Guerreros, ND APEX team members proved to be a valuable resource throughout the process.

“They were very knowledgeable, very accessible, and easy to talk to.”

From State and Local Work to a Federal Award

Blu Riderz recently completed its first federal contract for the Federal Highway Administration. The project required the company to apply additional gravel to several miles of existing gravel roads across multiple North Dakota counties in preparation for the Sentinel Missile Program.

While Blu Riderz brought significant construction experience to the project, entering the federal marketplace required the company to navigate unfamiliar processes, requirements, and terminology. One of the biggest challenges was simply working through the administrative “red tape” associated with government contracting.

A key hurdle involved preparing to register Blu Riderz as a joint venture with 123 Clean and Sundre Sand & Gravel, Inc. in SAM.gov. The ND APEX Accelerator team guided the companies through the joint venture process, helped identify the required documentation, and directed them to the appropriate registrations and resources to position the business for government opportunities.

Learning the Federal Contracting Process

The experience gave Blu Riderz valuable insight into what it takes to successfully perform a federal contract. With assistance from ND APEX Accelerator, the company learned how to better interpret contract terminology, ask the right questions, navigate federal requirements, and identify efficiencies that can strengthen future performance.

Those lessons carried through to the completion of the project.

During the final review meeting, government representatives indicated they were very pleased with Blu Riderz’s work and execution of the contract. The contracting office was also receptive to suggestions from the company about ways to improve efficiency, an encouraging sign for a business completing its first federal award.

Building Toward the Next Opportunity

For Blu Riderz, the successful completion of its first federal contract is an important milestone, but the company sees it as a starting point rather than a finish line.

The experience has given Ivan and Diego Guerrero greater confidence in navigating the government marketplace and a clearer understanding of how to approach future opportunities. Positive feedback from the government has also strengthened their optimism that this first federal contract can help open doors to additional awards.

With one federal contract successfully completed, and the knowledge gained along the way, Blu Riderz is eager to pursue what comes next.