Government Contracting Guides

New to government contracting? Learn everything you need to know: what it is, who can bid, types of contracts, registration, certifications, and how to win your first contract.

Learn how to register in SAM.gov step by step. Complete guide covering requirements, documents needed, registration process, common mistakes, and timeline estimates.

Learn how NAICS codes work for government contracts. Complete guide covering how to find your codes, selecting the right primary code, multiple codes strategy, and size standards.

Learn how to start bidding on government contracts. Step-by-step guide covering registration, certifications, finding opportunities, and winning your first contract.

Learn how to write government proposals that win contracts. Step-by-step guide covering proposal structure, compliance, technical approach, pricing, past performance, and common mistakes.

Learn what bid bonds are, when they're required for government contracts, how to obtain them, typical costs, and alternatives for contractors who can't secure traditional bonds.

Learn how government agencies evaluate past performance, how to build a track record without experience, strategies for new contractors, and how to use CPARS to win more contracts.

Find government subcontracting opportunities without priming contracts. Learn mentor-protégé programs, teaming agreements, how to find prime contractors, and build past performance through subcontracting.

Learn how government set-aside contracts work, the different types (SB, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB), how to find them, and thresholds that trigger set-asides. Your roadmap to competing only against other small businesses.

Construction contractors: learn how to win federal, state, and local construction contracts. Market size, key agencies, bonding, Davis-Bacon, certifications, and step-by-step guide to your first project.

Learn how IT companies can win federal government contracts. Covers market opportunities, key agencies, certifications (FedRAMP, CMMC), contract vehicles (SEWP, STARS), security clearances, NAICS codes, and step-by-step roadmap.

Learn how to win federal, state, and local janitorial and building service contracts. Market size, agencies, certifications, NAICS codes, bonding, and step-by-step roadmap.

Security contractors: Learn how to win federal, state, and local government security contracts. Market size, key agencies, certifications, compliance requirements, and step-by-step roadmap to your first contract.

Consultants: Learn how to win federal, state, and local government consulting contracts. Market size, key agencies, certifications, proposal strategies, and roadmap to your first contract.

Healthcare providers and vendors: Learn how to win federal, state, and local healthcare contracts. Market size, key agencies, certifications, compliance, and roadmap to your first contract.

Transportation contractors: Learn how to win federal, state, and local transportation contracts. Market size, key agencies, DBE certification, compliance, and roadmap to your first contract.

Discover which government small business certifications to pursue: 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, DBE, MBE. Compare benefits, eligibility, application processes, and which to get first.

Complete guide to SBA 8(a) certification for disadvantaged businesses. Learn eligibility requirements, application process, benefits including sole-source authority up to $4M, and how to maximize your 8(a) certification.

Complete guide to HUBZone certification for government contracts. Learn eligibility requirements, location verification, application process, and how to maximize HUBZone benefits.

Complete guide to WOSB and EDWOSB certification for women-owned businesses. Learn eligibility, application process, benefits, and how to access set-aside contracts.

Complete guide to SDVOSB and VOSB certification for veteran-owned businesses. Learn eligibility, VA Veterans First priority, application process, and benefits.

Complete guide to DBE certification for transportation and highway construction. Learn state-by-state requirements, benefits, and how to access DOT contracts.

Complete guide to MBE certification for minority-owned businesses. Learn state-by-state requirements, corporate supplier diversity, and certification benefits.

Learn how to qualify as a small business for government contracts. Understand SBA size standards, self-certification, and small business set-aside opportunities.

Learn about ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and other ISO certifications for government contracts. Understand when required, costs, benefits, and certification process.

Learn how to win DOD contracts. Understand registration requirements, security clearances, DFARS compliance, small business programs, and strategies to compete for defense contracts.

Step-by-step guide to winning VA contracts. Learn about Veterans First program, VOSB/SDVOSB set-asides, T4NG contract vehicles, and how to bid on $30B+ in annual VA opportunities.

Learn how to get on GSA Schedule, sell through GSA Advantage, navigate MAS consolidation, and win contracts through the largest federal procurement vehicle serving all agencies.

Learn how to win HHS contracts with NIH, CDC, FDA, and CMS. Understand registration, small business programs, and strategies to compete for $30B+ in annual healthcare opportunities.

Learn how to win DHS contracts with TSA, FEMA, CBP, ICE, USCIS, and Coast Guard. Understand security requirements, registration, and strategies to compete for $15B+ in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win DOE contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $25 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win DOT contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $15 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win DOJ contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $8 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win Treasury contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $6 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win USDA contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $5 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win NASA contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $20 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win EPA contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $4 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win SSA contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $3 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win HUD contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $3 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win State contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $10 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win Interior contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $10 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win Commerce contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $5 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win Labor contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $2 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win Education contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $3 billion in annual opportunities.

Learn how to win SBA contracts. Understand registration, small business programs, top categories, and strategies to compete for $500 million in annual opportunities.