Start a Government Contracting Business

The paperwork scares people away, so agencies routinely struggle to find enough small business bidders, especially certified ones.

1. 1

   Register in SAM.gov

   Registration is free and gets you a Unique Entity ID. Pick the NAICS codes that match what you sell; agencies search by them.

2. 2

   Check set-aside certifications

   Veteran-owned (SDVOSB), woman-owned (WOSB), 8(a), and HUBZone set-asides shrink your competition dramatically. Check state and local certifications too.

3. 3

   Study five past awards

   Use USAspending.gov to see who won contracts in your NAICS codes, at what price, from which agencies. Bid where you match the pattern.

4. 4

   Start small and subcontract

   Purchases under the micro-purchase threshold (around $15,000) can be awarded directly, and subcontracting for established primes builds the past performance record agencies require.

5. 5

   Write a capability statement

   A one-page PDF with core competencies, differentiators, codes, certifications, and contact info. This is your resume in the government world.

6. 6

   Meet buyers before bids drop

   Your free local APEX Accelerator advisor, agency small business offices, and industry days put you in front of buyers while requirements are still being shaped.

7. 7

   Bid narrow and debrief

   Respond only to well-matched RFQs on SAM.gov, and request a debrief every time you lose. Debriefs are free coaching from the buyer.