To find government contracts, register your business for free at SAM.gov, then filter active solicitations by your NAICS code and any set-aside you qualify for (small business, WOSB, SDVOSB, 8(a), HUBZone). SAM.gov is the official single point of entry for every federal opportunity above the $15,000 micro-purchase threshold. But the highest-win-rate work, subcontracts and pre-solicitation forecasts, lives outside the public bid board. This guide covers both.
Last updated: June 7, 2026.
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What counts as a government contract
A government contract is a binding agreement to sell goods or services to a federal, state, or local agency. Federal purchases break into three bands that change where you look:
- Micro-purchases (up to $15,000): bought on a government purchase card, often no formal bid.
- Simplified acquisitions ($15,000 to $350,000): streamlined procedures, frequently set aside for small business.
- Large acquisitions (over $350,000): full competition, formal solicitations on SAM.gov.
Both thresholds rose on October 1, 2025 (Federal Register). The increase matters: purchases between the micro-purchase and simplified-acquisition thresholds must be set aside for small business when two or more small firms are expected to compete (CRS IF13123). That $15K–$350K band is the most accessible on-ramp for a first contract.
The 7-step process to find and win contracts
- Get your UEI and register on SAM.gov. Registration is free. You receive a Unique Entity ID, pick NAICS codes that describe what you sell, and become searchable to buyers. Avoid third-party sites that charge for registration; the only official portal is sam.gov.
- Pick your NAICS codes precisely. NAICS codes drive every search filter and set-aside size standard. List your primary code plus every secondary code you can credibly perform. Buyers search by code, so vague selection makes you invisible.
- Confirm which set-asides you qualify for. Federal agencies carry a statutory goal to award 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses (15 U.S.C. 644(g)), with sub-goals for WOSB, SDVOSB, 8(a), and HUBZone firms. A self-certified Woman-Owned Small Business or registered SDVOSB sees competition that excludes large primes entirely.
- Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities. Filter by NAICS, set-aside type, agency, and place of performance. Save searches and turn on email alerts so new solicitations reach you the day they post.
- Mine the sources buyers do not advertise. SBA's SubNet lists subcontracting opportunities posted by large primes. DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search) lets agencies and primes find you, and it auto-populates from your SAM registration (SBA).
- Read agency forecasts and pursue work before it posts. Most agencies publish procurement forecasts listing planned buys months ahead. Contacting the program office or small-business specialist during the forecast window, before a solicitation exists, is where relationships and capability statements win.
- Get free help from an APEX Accelerator. APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) provide no-cost counseling on registration, bid matching, and proposal review. Find your local office through the APEX Accelerators directory.
Where to look: a source-by-source table
| Source | What you find there | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM.gov Opportunities | Every federal solicitation over $15K; required registration | Free | Prime contracts, all agencies |
| SBA SubNet | Subcontracting opportunities posted by large primes | Free | First contracts via a prime |
| SBA DSBS | Profile database buyers search to find you | Free | Inbound, getting found |
| Agency procurement forecasts | Planned buys months before they post | Free | Early positioning, relationships |
| GSA eBuy / Schedules | Task orders against pre-awarded contract vehicles | Free (vehicle required) | Repeat IT, services, products |
| State/local bid portals (e.g., your state eProcurement) | State, county, and municipal solicitations | Free or low fee | Local revenue, faster cycles |
| APEX Accelerators | Bid matching, counseling, proposal help | Free | Guidance at every step |
| SubcontractFinder | Primes actively hiring diverse subcontractors | Free | Diverse and small firms seeking teaming |
How small and diverse firms actually win
The public bid board is the most crowded place to compete. Firms that win consistently do three things differently.
They start as subcontractors. Large primes on contracts over $750,000 must submit subcontracting plans showing how they will use small and diverse businesses. That obligation creates real demand for partners, and a subcontract builds the past-performance record you need to win primes later.
They get found, not just search. A complete DSBS profile with clear NAICS codes, certifications, and a capability statement means a small-business specialist or prime can pull your name without you bidding on anything. Inbound interest converts far better than cold bids.
They show up before the solicitation. By the time a contract posts on SAM.gov, the agency often already knows who can do the work. Forecast review plus a short capability briefing during the planning window is the difference between bidding blind and bidding informed.
If you hold or are pursuing a diversity certification (MBE, WBE, WOSB, SDVOSB, DBE), teaming with a prime is usually the fastest path to revenue. Our SubcontractFinder tool maps primes with active subcontracting obligations to firms like yours, so you can pitch the buyer who is already required to find you.
Frequently asked questions
Is SAM.gov registration really free? Yes. Registration on SAM.gov costs nothing. Third-party sites that charge to "register" or "renew" your entity are reselling a free government service.
Where do small businesses find government contracts first? SAM.gov for prime solicitations, SBA SubNet for subcontracts, and DSBS so buyers find you. Pair those with your local APEX Accelerator for free bid matching.
What is a set-aside contract? A solicitation reserved for a category of small business: small business generally, or WOSB, SDVOSB, 8(a), and HUBZone firms. Set-asides exclude large competitors so qualifying firms compete only against peers.
How small is "small" for federal contracting? It depends on your primary NAICS code. SBA sets a size standard per code, measured in employees or average annual receipts. Your SAM registration flags whether you qualify.
Do I need a certification to win government contracts? No certification is required to bid on open competition. But certifications unlock set-aside competition with far less crowding and signal eligibility to primes filling subcontracting plans.
How long until I win a first contract? Subcontracts and simplified acquisitions (under $350,000) move fastest, often weeks to a few months. Large primes can take a year or more from forecast to award.
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Ready to find a prime that needs what you sell? Start with the SubcontractFinder tool and match with contractors who are required to hire diverse and small-business subcontractors.
