Federal Set-Aside Programs Explained: 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB & WOSB
If you are new to selling to the U.S. federal government, federal set-aside programs are one of the most important concepts to understand. A set-aside is a federal contract — or part of one — reserved for eligible small businesses, so you compete against a much smaller pool of qualified firms instead of the entire […]
NAICS Codes Explained: How to Find Yours for Federal Contracting
If you are new to government contracting, NAICS codes are one of the first concepts you need to understand. NAICS stands for the North American Industry Classification System — a standardized set of six-digit codes that classify every type of business activity in the United States. Think of them as the government’s way of sorting […]
How to Write a Winning Government Contract Proposal
Learning how to write a government contract proposal is one of the highest-leverage skills a small business can develop. Every year, federal agencies, states, counties, and cities spend hundreds of billions of dollars on goods and services, and the winning vendors are not always the biggest companies — they are the ones that submitted the […]
RFP vs RFQ vs RFI: Differences in Government Contracting
If you’re new to government contracting, the alphabet soup of RFP vs RFQ vs RFI can be confusing. These three notice types show up constantly on SAM.gov and other procurement portals, and mixing them up can cost you real effort — or cause you to miss a genuine opportunity. The good news: the differences are […]
How to Find Government Contracts: 7 Sources Beyond SAM.gov
If you’re wondering how to find government contracts, you’ve probably already heard of SAM.gov — the official U.S. government site for federal contract opportunities. It’s essential, and it’s free, but here’s what most newcomers don’t realize: SAM.gov is only one doorway into a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Federal, state, county, city, and […]
SAM.gov Registration: How to Register Your Business Step by Step (2026)
SAM.gov registration is the mandatory first step for any business that wants to bid on U.S. federal contracts. Without an active registration in the System for Award Management, you cannot submit a bid, win an award, or get paid by a federal agency. This guide covers everything you need: requirements, the step-by-step process, timelines, and […]
How to Bid on Government Contracts: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
The U.S. federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, spending hundreds of billions of dollars every year with private businesses. If you have ever wondered how to bid on government contracts, this guide walks you through the entire process — from getting your business ready to submitting a proposal […]