SAM.GOV Opportunities
Beta.Sam.Gov is the primary location to identify active federal contract opportunities over $25,000 allowing small business concerns to search for federal procurement opportunities. Visitors are encouraged to register with FedBizOpps to receive automatic email announcements on upcoming procurement opportunities, sources sought, etc.
Essential Links for Small Business
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Certifications – Programs designed to help small and disadvantaged firms to compete effectively for procurements where, to receive these benefits, the firm has to first receive formal certification from the SBA.
- Veterans Business Development Programs (VBDP) – Programs designed to help veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned firms compete through business development.
- System for Award Management (SAM) – Primary vendor database for the federal government that collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions.
- Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) – Offers public users unprecedented access to the spending patterns of the Federal government - at no cost.
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) – Federal regulation that codifies uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by all federal executive agencies.
- GSA Schedule Overview – Available to all government agencies to use as a procurement vehicle, the GSA Schedule can streamline the procurement process for both vendors and government agencies.
- North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) – A series of number codes that attempts to classify all business establishments by the types of products or services they make available.
- USASpending.gov – Provides citizens with easy access to Government contract, grant and other award data in an easy to use and searchable format.
- Small Business Size Standards - Size standards define the largest size a business can be to participate in government contracting programs and compete for contracts reserved for small businesses. Size standards vary by industry, and are generally based on the number of employees or the amount of annual receipts the business has.
- DOT Top 10 NAICS Code by Obligations - The Top 10 NAICS list is a resource that businesses can use to quickly determine if the U.S. Department of Transportation is spending a considerable amount of its resources within their NAICS code(s). This list can assist businesses in determining marketing strategies. Businesses that provide products and/or services within these industry codes are encouraged to market their business capabilities to the Department.
- DOT IT Small Business (video)- On August 8, 2019, The Department of Transportation held an Information Technology (IT) industry day for Small Businesses. We hosted a plenary session with DOT and other federal agencies IT leaders and a workshop on federal subcontracting programs. You can watch the video to learn more about how SBs can engage in the IT sector.
- The Dos and Don'ts: A Guide to Working with DOT: As a small business owner, there is plenty to learn when it comes to market your business in the federal marketplace. This link provides some practical Do's and Don’ts to get you and your small business on track.
Relevant Reports for Small Businesses and other material documents
HubZone Program Evaluation - The purpose of this evaluation was to examine factors that contributed to federal agencies reaching the HUBZone Program socioeconomic goal using a mixed-methods analytic approach. This report provides some of the key challenges faced by government agencies in reach the socialeconomic goals along with some suggestions. HUBZone small businesses would benefit from reading the report, and maybe find opportunities how they can better assist the Federal Government to reach them. To read the full report, please click here. Disclaimer: The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations found in this study are those of the contractor and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, the United States Small Business Administration, or the United States Government.
Myth-Busting - "Strengthening Engagement with Industry : ADDRESSING MISCONCEPTIONS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH INDUSTRY DURING THE ACQUISITION PROCESS." Please click the link here to view the top myths and misconceptions during the acquisition process.