Federal contracting, explained
Plain-language guides to federal contracting: registering, choosing NAICS codes, set-asides, capability statements and finding your first contract.
- Getting startedCan My Business Qualify? How to Register for Federal Contracts
What it actually takes to be eligible for federal work, and how to register your company in SAM.gov without paying anyone.
- NAICSWhat NAICS Code Should I Use?
A plain-language way to pick the NAICS codes that match your business, and how many you should actually claim.
- Getting startedWhere Do I Find My First Federal Contract?
Where to look, which opportunities are realistic to win first, and how to get on an agency's radar before the RFP.
- Getting startedWhat Should My Capability Statement Look Like?
The one-page document federal buyers ask for, what belongs on it, and the mistakes that get it deleted.
- Market researchWhat Agencies Buy What I Sell?
How to find the agencies that actually buy your services, using public award records rather than guesswork.
- Market researchHow Do You Find a Recompete Before the RFP Exists?
Most federal work is already under contract. How to find out when it comes up for rebid, and what to do with the warning.
- GuideBeginner's Guide to Government Contracting
How federal procurement works, where opportunities are posted, and how small businesses get started without a capture team.
- NAICSUnderstanding NAICS Codes
Why NAICS codes drive matching and set-asides, and how to choose codes that reflect the work you actually perform.
- Set-asidesSmall Business Set-Asides
SDVOSB, HUBZone, WOSB and 8(a) set-asides explained: eligibility, when they appear, and how they change the competition.
- SAM.govSAM.gov Tips
Practical ways to search SAM.gov, cut the noise, and track deadlines without living in the portal all day.
- Getting startedHow to Contact a Contracting Officer
Who they are, when it is appropriate to get in touch, what to ask, and the point after which you should stop.
- ProposalsProposal Best Practices
What contracting officers look for: compliance, relevant past performance, staffing, and a clear technical approach.
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