Help Contracting with the Federal Government
Explore the tools businesses can use to search for federal government contract opportunities, and learn about the support services available.
Search for Federal Contract Opportunities
These tools can help you find contract opportunities that are right for your business:
- Visit the the Contract Opportunities Search Tool on beta.SAM.gov to search for opportunities. Search by keyword, agency name, and more. Use filters to narrow down the many listings to what is best for your business. Accounts are not required to view contract opportunities. However, you can create an account to save searches, add your entity to an opportunity's Interested Vendors List, and receive automatic updates when opportunities change.
- Businesses can apply to search and compete for contract opportunities posted through the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules Program. This program is responsible for the largest government-wide contracts, and handles ten percent of the federal government’s contract spending. GSA operates over 30 different Schedules and each one covers a different type of supply or service. To get on a Schedule, your business must complete the following steps:
- Order a past performance evaluation (PPE). Your business must have a current PPE to get on a GSA Schedule. This report is created by surveying some of your past customers. You must provide names and contact information for six to 20 of your past customers when you register and order a PPE.
- Look up the appropriate GSA schedule number for your business, product, or service.
- Once your business is on a Schedule, you must apply or submit information to solicitations electronically using eOffer/eMod.
- When your business is awarded a contract, make sure you know how to effectively manage a GSA Schedules contract. GSA has resources that can help you learn about your responsibilities as a contractor, and strategize to maximize the potential of your contract.
Support Services for Federal Contractors
Explore ways to learn about federal government contracting, and find out where to get your questions answered.
- The Government Contracting Classroom offers free online courses covering the basics of contracting with the federal government.
- Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) are funded through partnerships between the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and nonprofit state or local entities. There are more than 300 centers nationwide, with staff who can provide one-on-one counseling and help businesses complete registration and certification processes.
- Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs) are U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) staff embedded within other federal agencies. PCRs perform market research and advocate for small businesses. Businesses can contact the PCR within an agency they are interested in working with to learn about contract opportunities that have not been awarded.
- Many federal agencies have an Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) or an Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). These offices can help small businesses identify contracting opportunities within each agency.
- The SBA website’s Contracting section provides information to help businesses understand the federal contracting process and requirements.
- The GSA Vendor Toolbox offers guidance and educational materials to businesses interested in pursuing contract opportunities through GSA Schedules.
