Small businesses of all kinds try to grow by getting steady work. Government contracts offer that chance because federal, state, and local agencies buy goods and services year-round. Many projects are open to solo workers, startups, and mid-sized companies. The process takes patience, but anyone can learn it with clear steps, simple tools, and a solid plan.
To find government contracts to bid on, Visit SAM.gov, check state and city bid portals, and sign up for alerts that match your service. APEX Accelerators can also guide you to active opportunities.
Government agencies need everything from office supplies to software, cleaning services, road repairs, medical items, event support, and training. A business that understands how to search, register, and prepare can reach these buyers and compete for long-term work.
What is a Government Contracting?
Government contracts follow strict rules that aim to keep prices fair and vendors honest. Agencies run formal bidding so every qualified business has a chance to apply. Some projects go to small businesses only, and some have special programs for women-owned firms, veteran-owned firms, and minority-owned firms.
Agencies publish most contract details in public places. That means anyone can read the scope of work, deadlines, and rules. This gives smaller companies a chance to study projects and learn what buyers want before applying.
Is It Hard Getting Government Contracts?
Getting government contracts takes patience, but it is not too hard once you learn the steps. The process has rules that you must follow, and the forms can feel long at first. Many businesses struggle only because they rush, skip details, or try to bid on projects that do not fit their size or skills.
The hardest part is understanding how the system works. After you register on the right sites, gather your documents, and learn how to read solicitations, the process becomes easier. Small contracts at the city or state level help new vendors build confidence. Each completed job makes the next bid feel simpler.
Many businesses succeed by starting small, asking for help from APEX advisors or local SBA offices, and practicing strong proposal writing. With steady effort, the difficulty fades, and the steps feel routine.
Creating a Strong Foundation Before You Search
Preparation matters before you look for contracts. A few steps come first.
1. Business registration
A business must be official in its state with the proper taxes, licenses, and structure. A sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation can bid, but it must have clear paperwork.
2. Solid financial records
Government buyers often check a company’s past years of income and expenses. Clean books make the process smoother. A company should be able to show that it can handle the cost of staff, supplies, and equipment during the project.
3. Quality control
Government work asks for clear quality standards. A repeatable process helps your team do the job the same way each time. Agencies like to see simple systems for safety, training, and delivery.
How to get a Unique Entity ID?
Every business bidding on federal contracts needs a Unique Entity ID (UEI). The number comes from SAM.gov. The site guides you through the steps, and the number is free. The UEI helps agencies verify your company and track awards. Without it, you cannot submit bids for most federal work.
How can a company register on SAM.gov?
The main federal site for contract registration is SAM.gov. Registration creates a public company profile where agencies can see your address, size, capabilities, and contact details. SAM.gov also lets you search for open federal contracts.
The registration asks for your bank account for payments, your NAICS codes that describe your industry, and your taxpayer information. It also lets you mark any special designations your company has, such as woman-owned or veteran-owned. These categories help you qualify for certain set-aside projects.
Take your time filling out the profile. A strong profile increases your chances of getting calls, emails, and quick matches to open projects.
What is NAICS Codes?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) assigns codes to every type of business activity. For example, a code exists for construction, another for marketing, another for training, and so on. Your company may fall into more than one code.
Agencies use NAICS codes to match a contract to a type of service. A correct code helps buyers find you. You can list several codes as long as they fit your work.
How to find federal government contracts opportunity?
Federal projects are listed on SAM.gov. The site includes small tasks and large multi-year projects.
Here is how you can search smarter:
- Use filters: SAM.gov allows you to filter by state, set-aside type, NAICS codes, contract size, and keywords. Filters save time and bring up projects that match your business.
- Study past awards: Reading old awards helps you learn which agencies buy services like yours. You can also see what prices other vendors charged. This helps you make reasonable bids.
- Check forecast pages: Many agencies publish forecast pages that show the projects they expect to release later in the year. These pages help you plan ahead so you can gather documents early.
How to Find State and Local Contracts?
Federal work gets the most attention, but state and local work is often easier for new vendors. Each state runs its own portal with open bids. Cities and counties do the same.
Common examples include janitorial work for buildings, school supplies, landscaping, IT work, signage, printing, road repair, catering, and training. State and local projects usually have smaller scopes, shorter forms, and faster responses.
To search for these bids:
- Visit your state’s official procurement site
- Look for vendor registration pages
- Sign up for email alerts by category
- Check city and county websites weekly
Using the SBA for Guidance
The Small Business Administration (SBA) gives free help to small companies trying to enter government markets. Local SBA offices host classes, mentoring programs, and online sessions. They explain rules, forms, contract types, and common mistakes.
They also manage small business certification programs. A certification can help your company qualify for special projects reserved for certain vendor groups.
Working With PTAC and APEX Accelerators
APEX Accelerators, formerly called PTACs, help businesses find, understand, and compete for government contracts. These centers are located across the country. They offer free training, one-on-one guidance, and help with forms. They also help companies read solicitations and prepare stronger proposals.
Many new vendors rely on APEX advisors to get early wins before moving on to larger bids.
Reading a Solicitation Carefully
A solicitation is the formal request for goods or services. It can be long, but every line matters. A good habit is to read it three times.
- First read: Get the general idea of the project. Note deadlines and contact details.
- Second read: Look for technical details, required documents, and submission rules.
- Third read: Check for pricing tables, page limits, required signatures, and instructions on where and how to send your proposal.
Agencies often reject proposals because vendors missed small details. Careful reading protects you from that.
Preparing a Clear Proposal
A winning government contract proposal is clear, simple, and directly tied to the agency’s needs.
Good proposals often include:
- A short description of your business
- Proof that you understand the project
- A plan showing how you will complete the tasks
- A timeline
- Staff experience
- Past performance
- Pricing tables
Avoid extra words. Stick to the facts. Use the same terms as the solicitation. If the document asks for sections, follow the same order.
Tracking Deadlines and Updates
Contract deadlines are strict. Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or simple project management tool to track:
- Submission dates
- Question periods
- Updates or addendums
- Award dates
Many vendors set weekly check-in times so they never miss a change to a solicitation.
Building Your Past Performance
Agencies like to see proof that you have done similar work before. If your business is new, you can build past performance with:
- Subcontracting under larger companies
- Partnering with another small business
- Completing small state or city projects first
- Providing related services that link to your main offer
Over time, these jobs create a strong record that raises your chances of winning larger contracts.
Seeing Contracting as a Long-Term Strategy
Government contracting takes time. It may take several tries before a business wins its first award. Each proposal helps you learn more about the process. Each job helps you build trust, improve your systems, and grow your team.
Many small businesses start with small tasks and grow into multi-year projects. The key is steady effort.
How much do Gov contractors get paid?
Pay depends on the type of work, contract size, location, and experience of the business. Some contracts pay a few thousand dollars while others pay millions. Agencies set budgets in advance, and vendors submit prices that match the scope of work. A small task like office supplies or basic repairs may pay less, while technical or long-term projects pay more. Clear pricing, honest rates, and strong past performance help vendors earn steady income over time.
Can individuals bid on government contracts?
Individuals can bid on many government contracts. A person can register as a sole proprietor and qualify as a small business. Small tasks, consulting work, writing, design, training, cleaning, and repair jobs often allow individuals to compete. The key step is proper registration with SAM.gov and tax information that shows you run a real business, even if it is only you.
What is the easiest government contract to get?
The easiest contracts are usually small state or city projects. These include simple services like cleaning, landscaping, basic repairs, printing, or short training sessions. They use shorter forms and faster reviews compared to large federal projects. New vendors often start with these smaller jobs to build past performance before trying for bigger contracts.
How to find subcontractors for government contracts?
Good subcontractors can be found through several sources:
- Local business networks and chambers of commerce
- APEX Accelerators
- State and city vendor directories
- Industry trade groups
- Past award lists on SAM.gov
Many prime contractors also post openings when they need help. A clear scope of work, fair agreements, and simple communication help you build lasting partnerships.
Final Thoughts
Government contracts offer a steady path for businesses that want strong clients and long-term work. A company that prepares, registers, and searches often can find projects that fit its skills. Clear proposals, honest pricing, and patient effort help you stand out. Over time, these steps turn a small company into a trusted vendor that agencies rely on year after year.
