← Back to Home

SAM.gov Guide for Small Businesses

Everything you need to know about finding and winning federal contracts on SAM.gov.

What is SAM.gov?

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official U.S. government website for federal contracting opportunities. It replaced FedBizOpps (FBO.gov) in 2019 and is now the single source for all federal contract opportunities over $25,000.

Official Site: sam.gov

Getting Started

1. Register Your Business

Before you can bid on federal contracts, you must register your business in SAM.gov. This is free and required for all federal contractors.

  • Get a DUNS number (now UEI - Unique Entity Identifier)
  • Create a Login.gov account
  • Complete SAM.gov registration (takes 7-10 business days)
  • Renew annually to maintain active status

2. Understand NAICS Codes

NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes classify your business capabilities. Federal contracts are often filtered by NAICS code, so choose codes that accurately represent your services.

3. Know Your Set-Asides

Many federal contracts are "set aside" for specific small business categories. Understanding these can give you a competitive advantage.

Searching for Opportunities

Manual Search Challenges

  • SAM.gov interface can be slow and complex
  • New opportunities are posted daily - easy to miss
  • Filtering options are limited
  • No alerts for new opportunities matching your criteria

How BidScout AI Helps

  • 24/7 automated monitoring of SAM.gov
  • Instant alerts when new opportunities match your filters
  • AI-powered qualification to save time
  • Find subcontractor partners automatically
Try BidScout AI Free →

Key Contract Types

Firm Fixed Price (FFP)

Price is set upfront. You bear the cost risk.

Time & Materials (T&M)

Pay for actual time and materials used.

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF)

Costs reimbursed plus a fixed fee.

IDIQ

Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contracts.

Tips for Success

  1. Monitor daily - New opportunities are posted constantly
  2. Respond quickly - Many solicitations have short response windows
  3. Build relationships - Subcontracting is often easier than prime contracts
  4. Start small - Build past performance with smaller contracts first
  5. Know your competition - Research who wins similar contracts
  6. Use set-asides - Certifications can significantly reduce competition

Ready to Get Started?

Stop spending hours manually searching SAM.gov. Let BidScout AI monitor opportunities for you and alert you to matches instantly.

Start Your Free Account