Step-by-step, no-fluff guides for finding and winning government contracts — from your first SAM.gov registration to your first bid.
To register in SAM.gov, sign in with a Login.gov account, validate your entity to get a Unique Entity ID (UEI), then complete your entity registration — your business details, NAICS codes, size, reps & certifications, and banking. Registration is free and must be renewed every 365 days. It can take up to 10 business days to become active.
Read the guide →To find your NAICS code, search the NAICS index for the words that describe what you actually sell, choose the six-digit code that best fits as your primary, add secondary codes for everything else you do, and check the SBA size standard tied to each. Your NAICS codes drive which opportunities and set-asides you qualify for.
Read the guide →To find government contracts, start by knowing your NAICS codes and which set-asides you qualify for, make sure your SAM.gov registration is active, then search SAM.gov (federal) and state procurement portals — or one tool that aggregates both — filtering by NAICS, set-aside, and deadline. Analyze each opportunity for fit before you commit to bidding.
Read the guide →To get certified for a federal set-aside, first confirm you meet the program’s eligibility rules, make sure your SAM.gov registration is active, then apply through SBA’s certifications portal (certifications.sba.gov) using your Login.gov account and your SAM.gov UEI, EIN, and MPIN. Start early — SBA review can take weeks to months.
Read the guide →To write a capability statement, put four things on one page: your core competencies (what you do), your differentiators (why you), your past performance (proof), and your company data (UEI, CAGE, NAICS, certifications, and a contact). Keep it skimmable and tailor it to the specific agency you’re sending it to.
Read the guide →To respond to a sources sought notice, read it carefully, confirm you can meet the requirement, then submit a short, tailored response that maps your past performance to the agency’s stated need, answers any questions they ask, and includes your identifiers and certifications. There’s no award — but a strong response can trigger a set-aside and put you on the contracting officer’s radar.
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