Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur looking to expand your customer base? The U.S. federal government may be the place to look. That’s because the U.S. government is the largest purchaser of goods and services across the globe. Securing a contract with the government can be a smart way to expand both your customer base and your income streams. But how do you find government contract opportunities in the first place? Below, we’ll cover the basics for anyone wondering how and where to find government contract opportunities, along with tips to increase your chances of landing one of those contracts.
Understanding Government Contract Opportunities
The U.S. government purchases a wide and varied range of goods and services across industries. These include aerospace and defense, construction, information technology, professional services, healthcare, and many more.
By law, the government is required to provide small businesses with opportunities to bid on and win these contracts. What constitutes a small business? When bidding on federal contracts, the Small Business Administration (SBA) determines the definition of a small business. While there are exceptions to the rule, broadly speaking, the SBA defines a small business in one of two ways:
- In manufacturing, a company with 500 employees or less
- In non-manufacturing, a company with average annual receipts under $7.5 million
But if you know you qualify as a small business and can bid on federal contracts, what are the next steps?
How to Find Government Contract Opportunities
Utilize the System for Award Management (SAM)
One of the most valuable resources for finding government contract opportunities is the System for Award Management (SAM). SAM is a government-wide registry that allows businesses to register and compete for federal contracts. Registering with SAM gives you access to a wealth of information, including current federal contract opportunities and procurement notices. To access these opportunities, visit the SAM website and search for posted contract opportunities that align with your business.
Add Yourself to the Interested Vendors List
While this will not apply to all job postings, you may encounter a contract opportunity on SAM where the vendor has opted to enable an Interested Vendors List (IVL). If so, you’ll see a link on the menu to the left of the job notification notice. To add yourself to the list, log in to the SAM system, click the IVL link on the menu, and then select “Add me to the Interested Vendors List.”
Access Small Business Administration (SBA) Resources
If you’re a small business owner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an invaluable resource for finding government contract opportunities you may qualify to bid on. The SBA provides various programs and initiatives aimed at helping small businesses navigate the federal contracting landscape.
Determine If You Qualify for Special Programs
About ten percent of federal contract dollars are awarded yearly to Small Disadvantaged Businesses. Find out if your small business qualifies to be registered as an official Small Disadvantaged Business.
You might also qualify for other special programs run by the SBA, which can provide contract assistance, mentorship, and other opportunities. Some of these programs include the following:
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract program
- Veteran contracting assistance programs
- HUBZone programs (for small businesses in historically underutilized business zones)
You can find more information about the SBA’s contracting assistance programs here.
Network and Collaborate
In government contracting, networking and collaboration can play a significant role in uncovering new opportunities. Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and business forums to connect with government officials, contractors, and other businesses in your field. Explore training programs related to government contracting. These can help build your network while also helping you prepare to maintain compliance, pass audits, and more.
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By staying proactive and continuously monitoring available opportunities, you’ll be well-positioned to start securing valuable government contracts for your business. And if you have questions along the way, GovCon can help.
For over 20 years, GovCon has helped hundreds of clients navigate the complex world of DCAA compliance, streamline their operations, pass audits, and win federal contracts. We use our real-world experience to simplify your process, reduce the cost of compliance, and improve accuracy. We’d love to show you how GovCon can simplify the government contracting process for you. Contact us any time.