Plain-English answers to federal contracting questions
No legal jargon, no FAR citations unless we explain them first. Written for business owners, not contracting officers.
Start here if you're new to federal contracting
What Is a Government Set-Aside Contract? A Plain-English Guide
What a set-aside actually is, why the government does this, and the four main categories explained in plain terms.
Do You Qualify? A Simple Checklist for 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone Programs
A practical, checklist-style self-assessment for the four major set-aside programs — before you even take the quiz.
Why It's So Hard to Find Government Contracts (And What To Do About It)
An honest look at why SAM.gov is so hard to use, and what actually helps if you want to find contracts your business qualifies for.
How to Register Your Business in SAM.gov, Step by Step
A practical walkthrough of SAM.gov registration — the required first step before you can bid on anything, regardless of which tool you use to find contracts.
5 Mistakes Small Businesses Make When Bidding on Federal Contracts
Practical, tactical advice for small businesses that are registered and ready to bid — the mistakes that cost first-time bidders the most.
Set-aside glossary
The terms you'll see again and again, explained once, clearly.
North American Industry Classification System
A 6-digit code that categorizes your business by industry. Every federal contract is tagged with one — search the wrong code and you'll miss relevant opportunities.
Unique Entity ID
The number that replaced DUNS. You're issued one automatically when you register your business on SAM.gov — it's free and required before bidding on anything.
Restricted competition pool
A contract reserved for a specific category of business — like 8(a) or WOSB firms only — so you compete against a smaller, defined pool instead of the entire market.
Declaring eligibility without third-party review
Some programs (like WOSB) let you confirm your own eligibility. Others (like 8(a)) require a formal application and SBA approval — we'll always tell you which applies.