Every federal contract worth more than $25,000 must be posted publicly. No hidden deals. No secret lists. Every opportunity is available to anyone who knows where to look.
The place to look is SAM.gov. It is the government’s official contract opportunities database, and it is free to search. You do not even need to be registered to browse opportunities, though you will need an active SAM registration to bid.
This guide is Step 4 of our 5-Step Start Here Path. By the end, you will know how to find contracts that match your business and set up alerts so you never miss an opportunity.
What You’ll Learn
- How to search SAM.gov’s Contract Opportunities section
- The 5 types of solicitations and what each one means
- How to filter by NAICS code, set-aside type, and agency
- How to set up saved searches with email notifications
- How to read a solicitation (the sections that matter most)
- Other free tools for finding opportunities beyond SAM.gov
How to Search SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
Go to sam.gov/opportunities and you will see the Contract Opportunities search page. Here is how to use it effectively:
Step 1: Search by Keyword or NAICS Code
Enter a keyword that describes what you sell (“janitorial services,” “IT support,” “office furniture”) or your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Your NAICS code is the most precise filter because it matches what you do to what the government is buying.
Step 2: Apply Filters
Use these filters to narrow your results:
| Filter | What It Does | How to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Notice | Filters by solicitation type | Start with “Solicitation” and “Combined Synopsis/Solicitation” |
| Set-Aside | Shows contracts reserved for specific small business categories | Filter for your certification type (8(a), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), HUBZone, Small Business) |
| NAICS Code | Filters by industry classification | Enter your primary NAICS code |
| Place of Performance | Filters by geographic location | Enter your state or city if you do location-based work |
| Agency | Filters by federal agency | Use this when you are targeting specific agencies |
| Posted Date | Filters by when the opportunity was posted | Focus on recent postings (last 7 to 30 days) |
Step 3: Save Your Search and Turn On Notifications
This is the most valuable feature most people skip. After you run a search with your filters:
- Log into your SAM.gov account
- Run your filtered search
- Click “Save Search” at the top of the results
- Name your saved search (example: “IT Services – Small Business Set-Aside”)
- Go to your Workspace, find Saved Searches, and click “Notify” in the Actions menu
- Choose daily or weekly email alerts
Now SAM.gov will email you whenever a new opportunity matches your search criteria. You don’t have to check the site every day. The opportunities come to you.
The 5 Types of Solicitations
Not every posting on SAM.gov is a contract you can bid on right now. Here are the five main types you will see:
| Type | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Presolicitation | The agency plans to issue a solicitation soon | Watch it. Prepare. Start gathering your team and information. |
| Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI) | The agency is researching the market before issuing a solicitation | Respond with your capability statement. This is how you get on their radar. |
| Solicitation (Request for Proposal/Request for Quotation/Invitation for Bid) | The agency is accepting bids or proposals now | Read it carefully. Decide if you can compete. Submit your proposal by the deadline. |
| Combined Synopsis/Solicitation | The announcement and solicitation are combined into one document | Common for simplified acquisitions. Read and respond. |
| Award Notice | The contract has been awarded | Review who won and at what price. This is market research for next time. |
Pro tip: Don’t ignore Sources Sought notices. Responding to them costs nothing and puts your business in front of the contracting officer before the solicitation drops. It is free market research for the government and free exposure for you.
Get the Opportunity Tracker
Download the free GovCon Starter Kit: includes a contract opportunity tracking spreadsheet, search strategy guide, and more.
How to Read a Solicitation
Government solicitations follow a standard format with sections labeled A through M. You don’t need to read all 13 sections on your first pass. Start with the three that matter most:
Section M: Evaluation Criteria
Read this first. Section M tells you exactly how the government will score your proposal. It lists the evaluation factors (technical approach, past performance, price) and tells you how much weight each one carries. If past performance is worth 50% of the score and you have none, this may not be the right opportunity for you.
Section L: Proposal Instructions
This tells you exactly what to submit and how to format it. Page limits, font size, required sections, submission method, and deadline. Follow these instructions precisely. Proposals that don’t follow Section L get disqualified.
Section C: Statement of Work
This describes what the government actually needs. Read it carefully to determine whether your business can deliver what they are asking for. If the work matches your core competencies, you may have a viable opportunity.
After those three sections, review Section A (basic information and set-aside status), Section I (contract clauses), and Section K (representations and certifications you must complete).
Beyond SAM.gov: Other Free Tools
SAM.gov is your primary tool, but it is not the only one. Here are other free resources for finding opportunities:
| Tool | What It Does | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| USAspending.gov | Shows who won past contracts and for how much | usaspending.gov |
| Agency Forecast Pages | Agencies publish their upcoming contract plans | Search “[agency name] procurement forecast” |
| SBA SubNet | Lists subcontracting opportunities posted by prime contractors | sba.gov SubNet |
| GSA eBuy | Requests for Quotation for businesses on General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule | ebuy.gsa.gov |
| State Procurement Portals | Each state has its own portal for state/local contracts | National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) Directory |
USAspending.gov is particularly useful for market research. Before you bid on anything, search for similar contracts that were awarded in the past. You will see who won, what they charged, and which agencies buy what you sell. This tells you whether you are competitive before you invest time in a proposal.
Your Search Strategy: A Simple Approach
Here is a practical routine that works:
- Set up 3 to 5 saved searches on SAM.gov with daily email alerts. Use your primary NAICS codes and any set-aside types you qualify for.
- Check your email alerts daily. Scan the subject lines. Open the ones that look relevant.
- Review each opportunity against three questions: Can we do this work? Can we be competitive on price? Can we meet the deadline?
- Respond to every Sources Sought notice in your space. Submit your capability statement. This builds relationships with zero risk.
- Research one agency per month on USAspending.gov. Learn what they buy, who they buy from, and what they pay.
Consistency matters more than volume. Checking your alerts every day for a year beats a frantic search once a quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be registered on SAM.gov to search for contracts?
No. Anyone can search contract opportunities on SAM.gov without an account. But you need an active SAM registration to bid on contracts, save searches, or set up email notifications.
How far in advance are contracts posted?
Most solicitations are open for 15 to 30 days. Some complex procurements give 45 to 60 days. Sources Sought notices may appear months before the actual solicitation. The earlier you find an opportunity, the more time you have to prepare.
Are there contracts for businesses outside the D.C. area?
Yes. Federal agencies operate in every state. Many contracts specify a place of performance in specific cities or regions. Use the “Place of Performance” filter on SAM.gov to find opportunities near you.
What are micro-purchases and how do I get those?
Micro-purchases are federal buys under $15,000 (as of 2025). They are often made with a Government Purchase Card (GPC) and don’t require formal proposals. To get micro-purchase orders, make sure your SAM.gov profile is complete, accept credit card payments, and have a professional web presence so cardholders can find you.
How do I know if a contract is set aside for small businesses?
The solicitation will clearly state the set-aside type in Section A and in the SAM.gov listing. Common set-aside types include Total Small Business Set-Aside, 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and HUBZone. You can also filter for set-asides in your SAM.gov search.
Your Next Step
You now know how to find government contracts, filter them, and set up alerts. That is Step 4 complete.
Step 5 is submitting your first bid. You will learn how to read a solicitation, write a proposal, price your work, and submit on time. This is where everything comes together.
Continue to Step 5: Submit Your First Bid →
Start Here Progress: Step 4 of 5 complete
- Understand the Basics ✓
- Register Your Business ✓
- Build Your Capability Statement ✓
- Find Opportunities (You are here)
- Submit Your First Bid
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Consult with qualified professionals for guidance specific to your business.
