The U.S. federal government spends over $700 billion annually on contracts. Whether you're a small business or an established contractor, there's an opportunity for you. Here's how to find and pursue government contracts effectively.
1. Register on SAM.gov
Before you can bid on federal contracts, you need a SAM.gov registration. This is free and gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration takes about 30 minutes but can take 2-4 weeks to process.
- Go to SAM.gov and create an account
- Complete your entity registration (business info, NAICS codes, size standards)
- Renew annually — expired registrations make you ineligible
2. Identify Your NAICS Codes
NAICS codes classify what your business does. Agencies use them to find qualified contractors. Pick codes that accurately describe your capabilities — you can have multiple.
Common GovCon NAICS codes: 541511 (Custom Computer Programming), 541512 (Computer Systems Design), 541330 (Engineering), 541611 (Management Consulting).
3. Search for Active Opportunities
Government contracts are posted on SAM.gov under "Contract Opportunities." You can filter by NAICS code, agency, set-aside type, and location. But manually searching is time-consuming — tools like GovSeeker aggregate data from 12+ sources and send you AI-powered alerts.
4. Understand Set-Asides
The government reserves certain contracts for small businesses:
- 8(a) — Socially and economically disadvantaged businesses
- HUBZone — Businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones
- SDVOSB — Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
- WOSB — Women-Owned Small Businesses
- Small Business — General small business set-aside
5. Build Your Capability Statement
A capability statement is your company's resume for government work. It should include your core competencies, past performance, differentiators, and contact info. GovSeeker's AI Capability Statement Builder can generate one for you.
6. Start with Subcontracting
If you're new, subcontracting is the fastest way in. Large prime contractors need small business subcontractors to meet their subcontracting goals. GovSeeker's Subaward Intelligence tool shows you which primes are subcontracting in your area.
7. Track Recompetes
Existing contracts come up for renewal. These "recompetes" are often easier to win because the requirements are well-defined. Track expiring contracts in FPDS to get early positioning.
Ready to Start?
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