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How to get federal subcontracts as a small business

You don't have to win a federal contract yourself to work on federal projects. Large prime contractors are required to plan subcontracting with small businesses, and many specialty trades get most of their federal work this way. Here is how to find those subcontracts.

Why primes need you

On larger federal contracts, prime contractors that are not small businesses must submit a small business subcontracting plan with goals for subcontracting to small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, HUBZone and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and they report against those goals. Meeting them is part of how the government rates their performance. On small business set-asides, the prime must also keep a share of the work for itself or for similarly situated firms, which limits how much it can pass to large subcontractors.

Where to find subcontracts

  1. Award notices. Every published award names the winner. Look up who is winning work in your trade and state on BidFox (who wins federal contracts) and contact them right after an award, when they are building their team.
  2. SBA SubNet. The Small Business Administration's SubNet lists subcontracting opportunities posted by primes.
  3. Prime contractors' supplier portals. Large primes run supplier registration pages and have small business liaison officers whose job is to find subcontractors.
  4. Industry days and site visits. Solicitations often include a pre-bid site visit or an industry day, and the attendee list is sometimes published. It is a list of companies that may need you.

How to approach a prime

  • Send a one-page capability statement focused on the specific scope you would perform.
  • Show the certifications that help them meet their goals (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB).
  • Be ready with pricing, insurance and, for construction, bonding and safety records.
  • Make sure your SAM.gov registration is active: many primes require it.

Build toward priming

Subcontracts build the federal past performance you need to win prime contracts later. Track both: BidFox's daily alert shows new notices you could bid on directly, and the award pages show who to call for subcontracts.

Last reviewed October 20, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and dollar thresholds change, so check the solicitation and the official sources linked above.