Free guides
Government contracting, in plain English.
Step-by-step guides for small business owners who are new to federal work. No jargon, and no consultant required.
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The whole path, from first question to first contract.
Is government contracting for me?
What it is, who can do it, and what it can do for your business.
Is government contracting for me?What Is SAM.gov? A Plain-English Guide for Business OwnersSAM.gov is the federal government's free website for registering to do business with it and finding contract opportunities. Here's what's on it and what you need.Is government contracting for me?Who Can Sell to the Federal Government? (Probably You)The basic requirements to sell to the federal government, the kinds of businesses it buys from, and how to tell whether yours counts as small.Is government contracting for me?9 Benefits of Government Contracting for Small BusinessesWhy the federal government is one of the best customers a small business can have, and the trade-offs to know before you start.Is government contracting for me?What Can a Government Contract Do for Your Business? 6 Real ExamplesWhat the government buys from small businesses: six industries, real contract opportunities from September 2026, and what winning one could mean for your revenue.Is government contracting for me?8 Government Contracting Myths That Keep Small Businesses OutYou don't need connections, a big company, or a consultant. Eight common myths about federal contracting, and what's actually true.
Get registered
SAM.gov registration, the IDs you need, and your NAICS codes.
Get registeredSAM Registration: How to Register on SAM.gov Step by Step (2026)SAM registration step by step: what to gather first, each part of the SAM.gov process, how long it takes, how to check your status, and how to avoid common rejections.Get registeredIs SAM.gov Registration Free? How to Spot Registration ScamsRegistering on SAM.gov costs nothing. How to spot the official-looking emails and services that charge hundreds of dollars, and where to get free help instead.Get registeredGovernment Contracting Glossary: UEI, CAGE, NAICS and MoreGovernment contracting acronyms and terms in plain English, from UEI and CAGE codes to IDIQ, set-asides, RFPs, and the rule of two.Get registeredHow to Find and Choose the Right NAICS Codes for Your BusinessHow to find your NAICS code with the official lookup, choose the right primary and additional codes, and check the size standard that decides whether you're small.
Find and win work
Find the right opportunities, read them, and put together a bid.
Find and win workHow to Find Government Contracts for Your Small BusinessWhere federal contract opportunities are posted, which notice types to watch, and how to find work that fits your business before your competitors do.Find and win workSet-Aside Contracts Explained: Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSBHow small business set-asides work, who qualifies for each federal program, and how to get certified.Find and win workHow to Read a Government Solicitation Without Getting LostRFP vs RFQ vs IFB explained, which sections of a government solicitation matter most, and how to track amendments and deadlines without getting lost.Find and win workWhat Is a Capability Statement? How to Write One (Examples and Free Template)What a capability statement is, what to put on it, examples of strong sections, and a free one-page Word template for government contractors.Find and win workHow to Get Government Contracts: A 90-Day Plan for Your First WinHow to get government contracts as a beginner: a 90-day plan to register, get noticed, and submit your first bids, plus the small contracts to start with.
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