Learn federal contracting
Plain-English guides to finding, reading and winning government contracts, bids and RFPs — written for small businesses figuring out how to win their first (or next) public-sector opportunity.
- 8 min read
What is SAM.gov? The complete guide for federal contractors
SAM.gov is the official U.S. government system for finding federal contracts and registering as a vendor. Here's how it works and how to use it.
- 9 min read
NAICS codes for federal contracts: a complete guide
NAICS codes determine which federal contracts you can bid on and whether you qualify as a small business. Here's how to pick the right ones.
- 10 min read
Federal set-asides explained: 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB and more
Set-asides reserve federal contracts for specific business categories. Learn which programs you qualify for and how they affect your bidding strategy.
- 9 min read
How to register on SAM.gov: a step-by-step guide for 2026
Registering on SAM.gov is required to bid on federal contracts. Walk through every step from getting a UEI to completing your entity registration.
- 7 min read
Federal notice types: Sources Sought, Solicitation, Award Notice and more
A federal procurement moves through several public notice stages. Understanding each stage tells you when to engage and how to prepare.
- 12 min read
How to win your first federal contract: a practical playbook
A pragmatic guide to finding, qualifying for, and winning your first federal contract — even if you have no past performance.
- 10 min read
How to read a federal RFP and SOW without missing requirements
Federal RFPs are dense and unforgiving. Here's how to dissect one quickly, find every evaluation criterion, and decide whether to bid.
- 9 min read
Federal contract vehicles: BPA, IDIQ, GSA Schedule, GWAC explained
Many federal contracts run on master vehicles, not standalone procurements. Learn the difference between BPA, IDIQ, GSA Schedule, and GWAC.
- 8 min read
How to bid on Bonfire: a supplier's guide to Euna/Bonfire portals
Bonfire (Euna) powers thousands of city, county, and agency bid portals. Here's how to register, find open bids, and submit a winning response.
- 8 min read
How to bid on PlanetBids: register, find bids, and submit
PlanetBids runs the vendor portals for hundreds of California and U.S. agencies. Learn how to register as a vendor and submit electronic bids.
- 7 min read
How to bid on Ionwave e-procurement portals
Ionwave powers e-bid portals for many Texas and U.S. public agencies. Here's how to register, download solicitations, and submit responses.
- 8 min read
How to bid on Bid Express: DOT construction lettings explained
Bid Express (Infotech) runs state DOT construction lettings and other public bids. Learn how to register, buy plans, and submit a bid.
- 7 min read
How to bid on CivicPlus / CivicEngage government bid boards
Thousands of U.S. cities and counties post bids on CivicPlus (CivicEngage) websites. Here's how to find open solicitations and submit your bid.
- 7 min read
How to bid on OpenGov Procurement (formerly ProcureNow)
OpenGov Procurement (formerly ProcureNow) hosts vendor portals for hundreds of local governments. Learn how to register and respond to solicitations.
- 8 min read
How to bid on BidNet Direct and regional purchasing groups
BidNet Direct powers regional purchasing groups across the U.S. Here's how registration works, what's free versus paid, and how to submit bids.
- 8 min read
How to bid on JAGGAER eProcurement (university & agency portals)
JAGGAER runs sourcing portals for universities and large agencies. Learn how to become a registered supplier and respond to sourcing events.
- 8 min read
How to bid on Periscope / BuySpeed state procurement portals
Periscope S2G (BuySpeed) powers many state and city eProcurement systems. Here's how to register as a vendor and submit quotes and bids.
- 8 min read
How to bid on SAP Ariba Discovery and buyer sourcing portals
SAP Ariba connects suppliers to public and private buyers. Learn how to set up an Ariba Network account and respond to sourcing events.
- 7 min read
How to bid on Oracle Fusion / Oracle Cloud supplier portals
Cities and agencies on Oracle Fusion Cloud post negotiations to a supplier portal. Here's how to register and submit a negotiation response.
- 6 min read
How to bid on BeaconBid government solicitations
BeaconBid hosts bid postings for cities, counties, and school districts. Learn how to find open solicitations and submit your response.
- 7 min read
How to bid on Proactis supplier portals
Proactis powers eSourcing portals for states and agencies. Here's how to register as a supplier and respond to tenders and RFPs.
- 7 min read
How to bid on DemandStar government bids
DemandStar distributes bids from thousands of local agencies. Learn how registration works, what a subscription gets you, and how to submit.
- 8 min read
How to apply for federal grants on Grants.gov
Grants.gov is where federal agencies post grant opportunities. Learn how to register, find funding, and submit an application package.
- 8 min read
How to bid on DLA DIBBS (defense parts and supplies)
DIBBS is the Defense Logistics Agency's bid board for parts and supplies. Learn how to register, read RFQs, and submit competitive quotes.
- 8 min read
How to sell to national labs (Sandia, ORNL, LLNL and more)
FFRDC national labs buy outside SAM.gov through their own supplier portals. Here's how to register and find subcontract opportunities.
- 8 min read
How to bid on E-Rate: responding to Form 470 for schools & libraries
E-Rate funds telecom and internet for schools and libraries. Learn how to find Form 470 postings and submit a compliant, competitive bid.
- 7 min read
How to bid on eVA: Virginia's procurement marketplace
eVA is Virginia's mandatory eProcurement portal. Learn how to register as a vendor, find solicitations, and submit responses.
- 8 min read
How to bid on TED: European Union public tenders
TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) publishes EU public contracts. Learn how tenders work, what documents you need, and how to submit a bid.
- 8 min read
How to bid on UK government contracts: Find a Tender & Contracts Finder
The UK posts public contracts on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. Learn how to register, search, and submit a compliant bid.
- 8 min read
How to bid on CanadaBuys: Canadian federal tenders
CanadaBuys is Canada's federal tender service. Learn how to register as a supplier, find opportunities, and submit a bid.
- 7 min read
How to bid on SEAO: Québec public tenders
SEAO is Québec's electronic tendering system. Learn how to find public tenders, obtain documents, and submit a compliant bid.
- 7 min read
How to bid on AusTender: Australian government tenders
AusTender lists Australian federal tenders and contracts. Learn how to register, set up alerts, and lodge a competitive response.
- 9 min read
How to bid on development bank contracts (World Bank, IDB, UNGM)
Multilateral development banks and UN agencies fund projects worldwide. Learn how their procurement works and how to compete for contracts.
- 8 min read
How to bid on international open-contracting portals (OCDS)
Many countries publish tenders in the Open Contracting Data Standard. Learn how to find opportunities and what bidding abroad involves.
- 6 min read
How to bid using government open-data (CKAN) tender feeds
Some governments publish tenders as CKAN open-data. Learn how to read these feeds and follow through to the real submission portal.
- 9 min read
How to bid on a government procurement portal: the universal playbook
Every public bid portal follows the same pattern. Learn the universal steps to register, find solicitations, and submit a compliant bid.
- 9 min read
How to find and bid on local government contracts
City, county, and school-district contracts are scattered across thousands of portals. Here's how to find them and start bidding.
- 7 min read
How to bid when there's no online portal (email & sealed bids)
Many small agencies still take bids by email or sealed paper. Learn how to respond correctly when there's no bidding portal.