The federal government spent $183.5 billion with small businesses in fiscal year 2024. That is real money going to real companies, many of them one-person shops that started exactly where you are right now.
You don’t need a lobbyist. You don’t need a proposal writer. You don’t need to quit your job. You need five days and a willingness to do the work. Every action in this guide is free, takes about an hour, and moves you closer to your first government contract.
Here is how to start government contracting this week.
What You Will Learn
- Identify the right NAICS codes for your business so agencies can find you
- Register on SAM.gov and get your Unique Entity Identifier for free
- Build a one-page capability statement that contracting officers actually read
- Search for contracts under $15,000 that skip the formal bidding process
- Connect with your local APEX Accelerator for free, one-on-one guidance
Monday: Find Your NAICS Codes
Every federal contract is tagged with a NAICS code. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. It is a six-digit number that tells the government what kind of work your company does.
Get this wrong and agencies will never find you. Get it right and your business shows up when contracting officers search for vendors.
How to Find Your Codes
- Go to census.gov/naics and use the search tool.
- Type what your business does in plain language: “IT consulting,” “janitorial services,” “accounting.”
- Write down every code that fits. Most businesses qualify under three to five codes.
- Check the SBA size standards table for each code. The size standard tells you the maximum revenue or employee count to qualify as a small business under that code.
Your primary NAICS code matters most. It determines your small business size standard and which set-aside contracts you can bid on. Pick the one that best describes your core service.
Pro tip: Look at contracts your competitors have won on USAspending.gov. Note which NAICS codes those contracts used. That is market research, and it costs nothing.
Tuesday: Register on SAM.gov
SAM.gov is the federal government’s official vendor database. If your business isn’t in SAM, you can’t win a federal contract. Registration is free. It has always been free. Any website that charges you for SAM registration is a scam.
This is the single most important step in government contracting. Everything else builds on it.
What You Need Before You Start
- Your business EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS
- Your business bank account and routing numbers
- Your NAICS codes from Monday
- A login.gov account (create one free at login.gov)
Step-by-Step Registration
- Go to SAM.gov and click “Get Started.”
- Sign in with your login.gov credentials.
- Select “Register Entity” and choose your entity type.
- Complete each section: Core Data, Assertions, Representations and Certifications, and Points of Contact.
- Submit your registration. You’ll complete the forms today. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days.
When your registration is approved, you will receive a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This replaced the old DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number in April 2022. Your UEI is now your identity in every federal contracting system.
Important: SAM registration expires every year. Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your anniversary date to start the renewal process. An expired registration means you cannot receive contract payments.
If you want a detailed walkthrough with screenshots, read our complete SAM.gov registration guide.
Want the full roadmap?
Our Start Here guide walks you through government contracting step by step, from registration to your first proposal.
Wednesday: Build Your Capability Statement
A capability statement is a one-page document that tells a contracting officer who you are, what you do, and why they should care. Think of it as your business resume for government work.
Contracting officers review dozens of these. The ones that get attention are specific, clean, and short.
What to Include
| Section | What to Write |
|---|---|
| Core Competencies | Three to five services you deliver, in plain language |
| Differentiators | What makes you different from other vendors (certifications, speed, niche expertise) |
| Past Performance | Two to three relevant projects with outcomes (commercial work counts when starting out) |
| Company Data | UEI, CAGE code (assigned automatically during SAM registration), NAICS codes, business size, socioeconomic categories |
| Contact Information | Name, title, phone, email, website |
Keep it to one page. Use your company colors and logo. Save it as a PDF so the formatting stays consistent. Your APEX Accelerator (Friday’s action) often has free templates you can start from.
You do not need past government contracts to write a capability statement. Commercial projects, volunteer work, and relevant certifications all demonstrate capability. Everyone starts somewhere. For detailed guidance, see our article on building past performance as a new contractor.
Thursday: Search for Your First Opportunities
Most people think government contracts require months of proposal writing. Some do. But there is an entire category of contracts designed for quick, simple purchases.
Under the micro-purchase threshold of $15,000 (per the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 2.101, as of October 2025), agencies can buy directly from any vendor without competitive bidding. That means no 50-page proposal. No formal evaluation. A contracting officer finds you, checks your price, and issues a purchase order.
Where to Search
- SAM.gov Contract Opportunities: The official source for all federal solicitations above $25,000. Filter by your NAICS codes, set-aside type, and location.
- GSA eBuy: If you hold a GSA Schedule contract (a long-term agreement that lets agencies buy from pre-approved vendors), this is where they post requests for quotes. That’s a goal for later.
- Agency forecast pages: Many agencies publish annual procurement forecasts listing what they plan to buy. Search “[agency name] small business forecast” to find them.
The simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) of $350,000 (as of October 2025) is another important number. Contracts between $15,000 and $350,000 are set aside for small businesses per FAR 19.502-2, as long as two or more qualified small businesses can compete. This is your sweet spot when you are starting out.
Spend 30 minutes today browsing SAM.gov contract opportunities with your NAICS codes. You are not bidding yet. You are learning what agencies buy, how they describe it, and what the dollar ranges look like. This is free market research that most new contractors skip.
For a broader view of where to find opportunities, read our guide on finding government contracts for small businesses.
Friday: Contact Your Local APEX Accelerator
APEX Accelerators (formerly called Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, or PTACs) are the best-kept secret in government contracting. They provide free, one-on-one counseling to businesses pursuing government contracts. The Department of Defense funds them. You pay nothing.
There are over 300 APEX Accelerator locations across the country. Your local counselor can review your SAM registration, critique your capability statement, help you find relevant contracts, and walk you through your first bid.
How to Connect
- Visit the APEX Accelerator directory.
- Enter your zip code to find the nearest location.
- Call or email to schedule an introductory meeting.
- Bring your SAM registration confirmation and capability statement draft.
This is not a sales call. APEX counselors are there to help you succeed. They work with thousands of small businesses every year and know exactly what beginners need. Many offer workshops on topics like proposal writing and contract compliance.
If you are a veteran, ask about veteran-specific programs. If your business qualifies as women-owned, minority-owned, or HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone), your counselor can help you get certified for set-aside contracts. Learn more about these programs in our guide to small business set-asides.
Your Week at a Glance
| Day | Action | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Find your NAICS codes | 30-45 min | Free |
| Tuesday | Register on SAM.gov | 60-90 min | Free |
| Wednesday | Build your capability statement | 45-60 min | Free |
| Thursday | Search SAM.gov for opportunities | 30-45 min | Free |
| Friday | Contact your APEX Accelerator | 15-30 min | Free |
Five days. Under five hours total. Zero dollars spent. By Friday afternoon, you will have a registered business in the federal vendor database, a professional capability statement, a list of real contract opportunities, and a free advisor in your corner.
That is further than most people who “think about” government contracting ever get.
FAQ
Do I need a special license to get government contracts?
No special federal license is required to bid on government contracts. You need an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Some industries require state or professional licenses (construction, healthcare, IT security), but the federal contracting system itself has no license requirement.
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
Plan for about two weeks from start to finish. If your registration stalls past 10 business days, call the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220. Common delays include mismatched IRS records (your EIN name must exactly match your SAM entity name) and incomplete banking information. Check your registration status daily at sam.gov under “Check Entity Status.”
Can a sole proprietor get a government contract?
Sole proprietors can register on SAM.gov and bid on federal contracts. The government does not require you to be an LLC or corporation. Many small purchase orders go to sole proprietors and independent consultants providing services like training, IT support, and professional consulting. Your business structure does not limit your eligibility.
What is the easiest type of government contract to win?
Government purchase card (GPC) transactions are the fastest path to your first sale. Federal employees use GPCs like corporate credit cards to buy supplies and services below the micro-purchase threshold. There is no solicitation posted on SAM.gov for these. The buyer finds a vendor, confirms the price, and swipes. To get on their radar, attend agency small business outreach events and hand your capability statement directly to program managers.
Is SAM.gov registration really free?
SAM.gov registration is completely free and always has been. If you receive an email, letter, or phone call asking for payment to “complete” or “expedite” your registration, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The only legitimate website for registration is sam.gov (not .com, not .org, not .net). Bookmark it directly and never click a registration link from an unsolicited email.
Next Steps
You have the foundation. Here is what to do next:
- Complete these five actions this week. Do not wait until everything is perfect. A submitted SAM registration beats a planned one every time.
- Read the Start Here path. Our guided learning path walks you through government contracting from the basics to your first proposal, in order.
- Learn what the government is buying in your industry. Our guide on what government contracting is explains the $700 billion federal marketplace and where small businesses fit.
- Understand the rules before you bid. Read our beginner’s guide to the FAR so you know the basic regulations before your first proposal.
Government contracting is not reserved for big companies with Washington connections. The system was built to include small businesses. The $183.5 billion that went to small businesses in FY2024 proves it works. Your job is to show up, register, and start.
Monday is a good day to begin.
