Guides
Government contracting, explained
Free, plain-English guides to government contracting for small businesses: SAM.gov registration, SBA certifications and set-asides, starting an LLC, finding bids and writing winning proposals.
Getting started
How federal contracting works and how to get into it.
Getting started
How to Get Government Contracts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Businesses
A plain-English path from forming your business to winning your first federal contract: SAM.gov, NAICS codes, set-asides, finding bids and writing proposals.
Read the guideGetting started
SAM.gov Registration: How to Register Your Business, Get a UEI and Stay Active
How to register in SAM.gov step by step: what you need before you start, how the UEI and CAGE code work, how long it takes, yearly renewal, and how to avoid registration scams.
Read the guideGetting started
Government Contracting Glossary: Key Terms in Plain English
UEI, CAGE, NAICS, set-aside, RFP, RFQ, IDIQ, sources sought and more: the federal contracting terms small businesses run into, explained in plain English.
Read the guideStarting your business
Forming an LLC and setting up a business that can take federal work.
Starting your business
How to Start an LLC for Government Contracting: From State Filing to SAM.gov
Form an LLC with government contracts in mind: choosing a state, filing articles of organization, getting an EIN, opening a business bank account, and registering in SAM.gov.
Read the guideStarting your business
Do You Need an LLC to Get Government Contracts?
Sole proprietors can register in SAM.gov and win federal contracts. Here's when an LLC or corporation is worth it, and how your business structure affects size status, certifications and liability.
Read the guideSBA programs & set-asides
Certifications, set-asides, size standards and free SBA-backed help.
SBA programs & set-asides
SBA Certifications for Government Contracting: 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone and VetCert
What each SBA contracting certification is, who qualifies, how to apply through MySBA Certifications, and which set-aside contracts each one opens up.
Read the guideSBA programs & set-asides
Small Business Set-Asides: How the Government Reserves Contracts for Small Businesses
How set-aside contracts work: the rule of two, SBA size standards, the federal small business goals, sole-source awards, and how to find set-asides you qualify for.
Read the guideSBA programs & set-asides
How to Choose NAICS Codes for Government Contracting
How NAICS codes decide which solicitations you see and whether you count as small, how to pick your primary and secondary codes, and how to check SBA size standards.
Read the guideSBA programs & set-asides
Free Government Contracting Help: APEX Accelerators, SBDCs and Other SBA Resources
Where small businesses get free federal contracting help: APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs), Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, VBOCs, SCORE and SBA district offices.
Read the guideFinding & winning bids
Finding opportunities, writing proposals and landing a first prime contract.
Finding & winning bids
How to Find Government Contracts to Bid On
Where federal, state and local opportunities are posted, how to search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities and read a notice, and how to decide which bids are worth your time.
Read the guideFinding & winning bids
How to Write a Government Proposal: Sections L and M, Compliance Matrices and Page Limits
A practical guide to answering a federal RFP: reading Sections L and M, building a compliance matrix, structuring volumes, past performance, pricing, and the checks to run before you submit.
Read the guideFinding & winning bids
How to Win Your First Federal Prime Contract
A realistic plan for first-time primes: picking winnable bids, building past performance, subcontracting and teaming, smaller simplified buys, and what the SPUR Act could change.
Read the guideFor proposal teams & programs
For proposal writers, contractors and the programs that support small businesses.
For proposal teams & programs
AI for Government Proposal Writing: What It Does Well and What to Check
How proposal writers and contractors use AI to answer federal solicitations: compliance matrices, first drafts, compliance checks, and the review steps a person still owns.
Read the guideFor proposal teams & programs
Tools for APEX Accelerators, SBDCs and Procurement Assistance Programs
How procurement assistance programs can help more clients find and answer federal contracts: bid matching, client accounts, drafting support, and what to look for in a tool.
Read the guide