A Worrying Trend in U.S. Manufacturing The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the fifth consecutive month in July, signaling a clear slowdown that’s catching the attention of government contractors and industry watchers alike. According to the latest ISM data, the manufacturing PMI dropped to 48.0—anything below 50 indicates contraction. This isn’t just a number on…
As of June 2023, SAM.gov had 2.8 million registered users. SAM.gov is used for federal procurement, including GSA contracts. The federal market can open doors to steady work and clear growth. Many small businesses shy away because they fear complex rules, but they lose out on reliable revenue. The GSA Schedule cuts through red tape,…
Government contracting is entering a high-stakes phase where speed and strategy can outweigh size. Billions in federal spending are pouring into artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, defense technology, and infrastructure, creating one of the biggest waves of opportunity the industry has ever seen. The surge is drawing in ambitious players from every corner. Yet opportunity alone does…
Let’s face it—government contracting is not a hobby for the faint of heart or fuzzy on math. Costing and pricing can feel like assembling IKEA furniture: there’s a thick manual, oddly shaped pieces, and you’re pretty sure something is missing. But here’s the good news: once you understand how costing and pricing work in the…
In the complex landscape of federal contracting, where billions of dollars in contracts are awarded annually, the standard process involves full and open competition. However, there are specific circumstances where federal agencies may determine that competitive bidding isn’t feasible or practical. In these cases, agencies must prepare a formal Justification and Approval (J&A) document to…
Refiners Sound the Alarm Over New Biofuel Mandates In a major industry update, U.S. oil refiners are pushing back hard against new federal biofuel blending rules that could dramatically increase their operational costs. The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) sent a direct letter to the White House warning that the proposed rule changes could…
If you’ve been doing work with the government, you’ve probably heard of FAR, the Federal Acquisition Regulation. It’s the big book of rules that tells agencies how to buy stuff, and tells contractors how to sell it to them. Sounds simple, but it’s not. FAR is long, confusing, and filled with words that make people…
The federal contracting space is undergoing a massive transformation, and at the heart of it is artificial intelligence (AI). Government contractors, especially those managing high-stakes proposals, have long been tied down by complex, disjointed workflows and mountains of documentation. The process of finding, analyzing, and responding to solicitations can feel like navigating a maze with…
Federal contracting can feel like trying to get into an exclusive club with a 200-page rulebook, and the bouncer only speaks in acronyms like FAR, NAICS, and SAM. But if you’re a small business, there’s a golden opportunity waiting for you: small business set-asides. These are not just feel-good programs. They’re real, powerful tools designed…
Welcome to the exciting world of federal procurement, where opportunities abound, paperwork stacks high, and compliance is your key to thriving! The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched its new Small Business Search (SBS) system, quietly replacing the long-standing Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS). This transition is a game-changer for small businesses aiming to…