Short answers to what small businesses ask most about U.S. government contracts. Each answer links to a fuller guide.
On SAM.gov, the U.S. government's official site. Agencies must post contract actions expected to exceed $25,000 there, with a few exceptions, and many post smaller ones too. BidFox organises the same notices by state, trade, NAICS code and agency.
Yes. Registering your business in SAM.gov is free. Companies that charge to register or renew are not the government. You need an active registration to be awarded a federal contract.
The first registration often takes a few weeks, longer if your documents need to be checked. Registrations must be renewed every year.
Yes. Sole proprietors can register in SAM.gov and bid like any company, either under their own name or a business name.
A contract that only small businesses can bid on. Contracting officers must set a contract aside when they expect offers from at least two capable small businesses at fair prices (the rule of two). About half of all federal solicitations in the last 12 months were set aside.
It depends on the NAICS code of each contract. The SBA sets a size standard for every code, measured in average annual receipts or number of employees, so a company can be small for one code and not for another.
A six-digit industry code. Every federal notice has one, and it decides the size standard for small business set-asides. List every code you can perform in your SAM.gov registration.
Market research: the agency asks who could do a job before writing the solicitation. You can't bid on it, but answering can get the job set aside for small businesses.
A solicitation asks for bids or proposals now and has a deadline. A presolicitation announces that a solicitation is coming, so you can prepare.
Federal construction contracts over $150,000 require performance and payment bonds under the Miller Act, and usually a bid bond with your bid.
Minimum wages and fringe benefits set by the Department of Labor. Davis-Bacon rates apply to federal construction over $2,000 and Service Contract Act rates to most service contracts over $2,500.
Under the Prompt Payment Act the government generally pays a proper invoice within 30 days, and construction progress payments within 14 days, with interest if it pays late.
In fiscal year 2026 August had the most solicitations and September the most award notices, as agencies commit funds before the fiscal year ends on September 30.
Award notices on SAM.gov name the winner and the amount. BidFox lists the awards of the last 12 months by state, trade, agency and company.
Yes. Large prime contractors must plan subcontracting with small businesses. Award notices tell you which primes are winning work in your area.
Every morning it reads the new notices on SAM.gov and emails each subscriber the ones that fit their trade, states and certifications, scored from 0 to 100 with the reason each one fits.
Starter is $29 a month (1 trade, up to 3 states) and Pro is $59 a month (all trades and states). Both start with a 7-day free trial, and nothing is charged if you cancel before it ends.
No. BidFox is an independent service that uses public SAM.gov data. Always read the official notice before you bid.