Blog

Insights, updates, and resources to help your business succeed in government contracting.

What to Do After SAM Registration: A 90-Day Action Plan (2026)

Turn an active SAM.gov registration into a focused federal pipeline with a practical 90-day plan for positioning, buyer research, opportunity searches, and a first response.

Aug 23

GovRAMP (Formerly StateRAMP): 2026 Guide for SaaS Vendors

A practical 2026 GovRAMP guide for SaaS vendors: the StateRAMP rebrand, verification statuses, 3PAO assessments, continuous monitoring, and buyer requirements.

Jun 11

Capability Statement Template: Free Examples (2026)

Free capability statement template you can copy today, plus filled-in sample capability statements for IT, construction, facilities, and consulting firms. Formatting rules contracting officers expect.

Jun 11

FAR Part 15 Explained: Contracting by Negotiation (2026)

FAR Part 15 governs negotiated federal contracts. Learn how source selection works, what the competitive range means, tradeoff vs. LPTA, discussions, debriefings, and how the FAR Overhaul changes the rules.

May 5

Sources Sought Notices: How to Respond and Win Contracts Before the RFP

Sources sought notices are the pre-RFP step where smart small businesses shape requirements and earn set-asides. Learn how to find them, write a winning response, and turn early intel into contract awards.

Apr 28

SBIR Eligibility Requirements: Who Qualifies in 2026?

Five core SBIR eligibility rules: for-profit, ≤500 employees, ≥51% U.S. owned, PI primarily employed by the small business, and U.S.-performed work. Here is who qualifies, including how VC ownership rules differ at NIH vs DoD.

Apr 28

TAA Compliance Guide: Trade Agreements Act & Compliant Countries (2026)

TAA compliance for federal and SLED contractors: what the Trade Agreements Act requires, the full 2026 list of designated countries, FAR 25.4 thresholds, GSA Schedule rules, and how to determine country of origin.

Apr 27

SBIR Phase 1 vs Phase 2: Funding, Timeline, and How to Move Up (2026)

SBIR Phase 1 funds feasibility (~$50K–$323K, 6–12 months). Phase 2 funds full prototype development (up to ~$2.15M, 24 months) and is reserved for successful Phase 1 awardees. Phase 3 has no SBIR funding at all, but unlimited contract value.

Apr 27

SBIR vs STTR: Differences, Eligibility, and Which Program Is Right for You (2026)

SBIR vs STTR, same three-phase structure, different eligibility. SBIR runs across 11 agencies with no partner required; STTR runs at 5 agencies and mandates a research-institution partner doing 30% of the work. Here is which one fits.

Apr 27

SLED Contracting Statistics 2026: State, Local, and Education Procurement Numbers

The 2026 SLED contracting statistics report, with sourced figures on state, local, and education spending, cooperative purchasing, IT, cybersecurity, and small-business participation.

Apr 26

What Is SBIR? Small Business Innovation Research Explained (2026)

What is SBIR? A $4+ billion federal program that gives American small businesses non-dilutive R&D funding through 11 agencies. Phase I, II, and III explained.

Apr 25

Least Competitive Government Contracts: 2026 Data Analysis

Our analysis of 370,000+ government solicitations reveals which contract categories have more opportunities than bidders. Find where small businesses face the least competition.

Apr 24

Easiest SLED Contracts to Win in 2026 (State, Local, Education for Small Business)

The easiest SLED contracts to win for first-time bidders, ranked. School district direct buys, city informal quotes, state small purchases, and cooperative piggybacks, what to chase first and why.

Apr 24

NASA SEWP Explained: The Government's Largest IT Contract Vehicle

NASA SEWP is a government-wide IT contract vehicle used by federal, state, and local agencies. Learn how SEWP works, who can buy through it, and how vendors get on contract.

Apr 23

Government Contracts for IT Companies: Complete Guide (2026)

IT is the #1 federal contracting category at $100B+ per year. Learn how technology and SaaS companies win government contracts with this step-by-step guide.

Apr 23

What Is SLED? State, Local, and Education Contracting (2026)

SLED stands for State, Local, and Education, the U.S. public-sector market made up of state agencies, cities, counties, and public schools. Here's how it differs from federal contracting.

Apr 22

How to Bid on Government Contracts: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Learn how to bid on government contracts with our step-by-step guide. From registration to proposal submission, everything small businesses need to start winning.

Apr 21

What Is Government Contracting? A Complete Beginner's Guide

Government contracting explained for beginners. Learn how it works, who can participate, types of contracts, and how small businesses access $700+ billion in annual federal spending.

Apr 20

How to Renew SAM.gov Registration: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

How to renew SAM.gov registration in 2026: full step-by-step walkthrough of timeline, banking, Reps & Certs, CAGE, and avoiding a lapse that blocks awards.

Apr 19

SAM.gov Registration Guide 2026: Complete Step-by-Step Process

Register on SAM.gov for federal contracting with this step-by-step guide. Covers UEI, CAGE codes, NAICS selection, common mistakes, and renewal requirements.

Apr 18

NAICS Codes for Government Contracting: How to Find and Use Yours

Learn what NAICS codes are, how to find the right codes for your business, and why they matter for winning government contracts. Includes lookup tools and selection strategies.

Apr 17

Government Cloud (GovCloud) Explained: What Vendors Need to Know

Government cloud environments like AWS GovCloud and Azure Government meet strict federal security requirements. Learn what GovCloud is, FedRAMP compliance, and what it means for vendors.

Apr 16

UEI Number Lookup & How to Get One Free (2026 Guide)

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code issued free by SAM.gov that replaced the DUNS number for federal contracting in April 2022. This guide explains what it is, how to get one, and how it differs from CAGE codes and EINs.

Apr 15

What Is GSA? Meaning of the General Services Administration (2026)

GSA stands for the General Services Administration, the federal agency that manages government procurement. Learn what GSA does, how GSA Schedules work, and why it matters for contractors.

Apr 14

Easiest Federal Contracts Under $25K (Micro-Purchase & Simplified Acquisition Guide 2026)

The easiest federal contracts to win are under $25K, micro-purchases and small simplified acquisitions. No proposal, no past performance, paid on a purchase card. Here is exactly how they work and how to position for them.

Apr 13

8(a) Certification Guide: Eligibility, Benefits, and How to Apply in 2026

Complete guide to SBA 8(a) certification for government contracting. Learn eligibility requirements, benefits including sole-source contracts up to $4.5M, and the step-by-step application process.

Apr 13

Capability Statement: Complete Guide with Templates (2026)

How to write a capability statement for government contracting. Includes the 6 essential elements, formatting rules, common mistakes, and step-by-step process contracting officers actually look for.

Apr 12

Government Contracting Statistics for Small Businesses: 2026 Report

Original 2026 government contracting data for small businesses. Federal spending, SLED market analysis, competition by category, and the real funnel from registration to first win.

Apr 11

What Does SLED Mean in Sales? (For Sales, GovTech, and BD Teams)

In sales, SLED stands for State, Local, and Education, a go-to-market vertical sitting alongside federal and commercial. Here's what SLED sales actually involves, how teams are structured, and why GovTech treats it as its own segment.

Apr 10

Is Government Contracting Worth It? Costs, ROI & What No One Tells You

Honest breakdown of government contracting costs, timelines, and ROI for small businesses. Learn who should pursue it, who should not, and what it actually takes to win.

Apr 9

How to Find Government Contracts: Best Websites, Tools & Search Tips (2026)

Discover where to find government contracts at every level. Free platforms, paid tools, search strategies, and tips for small businesses new to government procurement.

Feb 22

Procurement Service Pricing in 2026: What's a Fair Price?

What does government procurement consulting cost in 2026? Breakdown of pricing models, fee ranges, and what to expect for proposal writing and bid support.

Feb 20

10 Easiest Government Contracts to Win in 2026 (No Experience Needed)

The 10 easiest government contracts beginners can actually win, ranked by competition, experience required, and dollar value. Start with micro-purchases under $15K and subcontracting gigs.

Feb 18

How to Win Government Contracts: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Win your first government contract with this step-by-step guide. Covers SAM.gov registration, proposal writing, and strategies for small businesses.

Feb 15

Small Business Certifications for Government Contracting

Navigate small business certifications for government contracting. Compare 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone programs with timelines, costs, and a decision framework.

Feb 13

How Long Does It Take to Win a Government Contract?

Realistic timelines for winning your first government contract. Learn the 6-18 month process, why SLED contracts are faster, and how to accelerate your path to a first win.

Feb 11

Government Contract Proposal Writing: Complete Guide for 2026

Master government contract proposal writing with this step-by-step guide. Learn RFP response strategies, Section L and M requirements, and how to boost your win rate.

Feb 8

Government Contracting Without Experience: Your Path to a First Win

No government contracting experience? No problem. Learn proven strategies to win your first contract, build past performance from scratch, and break into the $700B federal market.

Jan 2

SLED Contracts: Complete Guide to State and Local Government Sales

Learn how to win SLED contracts with state, local, and education agencies, including procurement processes, registration requirements, and practical pursuit strategies.

Dec 27, 2025

Government Contract Vehicles Explained: GWAC, IDIQ, BPA & GSA

Learn the 4 major government contract vehicles - IDIQ, GWAC, BPA, and GSA Schedule. Understand which is right for your business and how to get started.

Dec 14, 2025

Cooperative Purchasing for Vendors: Complete 2026 Guide

Become a cooperative purchasing vendor and access 50,000+ agencies. Complete guide: NASPO, Sourcewell, OMNIA application process and winning strategies.

Dec 12, 2025

Government Contracting for Small Business: Complete 2026 Guide

Learn how small businesses win government contracts. Complete guide covering registration, finding opportunities, proposals, and proven strategies for your first contract win.