Your Business Is Built. Now Learn How to Sell to the Government.
The U.S. government purchases products and services from businesses across thousands of industries.
Government contracting can create opportunities for qualified small businesses, including veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses — but registration alone does not create contracts.
Successful government contracting requires preparation, research, positioning, persistence, and understanding how government agencies buy.
Veteran Global Solutions will help you understand the process one step at a time.
Before You Register, Make Sure the Business Is Ready.
Government contracting should generally come AFTER establishing the business foundation. Use this checklist to assess readiness before pursuing federal opportunities.
Government contracting should generally come AFTER establishing the business foundation.
If you still need help with those steps, start with Business Setup & Fundamentals.
The Government Is a Customer.
Government contracting is fundamentally about selling a product or service to a customer — except that the customer operates under specific procurement laws, regulations, budgets, procedures, and contracting requirements.
Research these questions before pursuing any opportunity:
DO NOT START BY CHASING EVERY CONTRACT.
START BY IDENTIFYING THE GOVERNMENT CUSTOMERS THAT ACTUALLY BUY WHAT YOU SELL.
Understand the UEI.
The Unique Entity ID — UEI — is an identifier assigned to entities doing business with the U.S. federal government. SAM.gov is the official U.S. government system associated with entity registration and Unique Entity IDs.
Obtaining a Unique Entity ID through SAM.gov is FREE. Veterans should be cautious of companies that make official government registration appear to require unnecessary fees.
SAM.gov
The official U.S. government System for Award Management — the authoritative source for entity registration, Unique Entity IDs, and federal contracting information.
Visit Official SAM.govFederal Contracting Starts With SAM.gov.
Businesses generally need an active SAM.gov entity registration to compete for federal contracts where registration is required. The registration process requires accurate information about your business.
Be prepared to provide information about:
Requirements can change. Follow current SAM.gov instructions rather than relying on outdated third-party guides.
SAM.gov registration itself is FREE. Businesses may choose to hire outside assistance, but payment to a third party is not required simply to access SAM.gov.
Tell the Government What Your Business Does.
The North American Industry Classification System — NAICS — categorizes businesses by the products or services they provide. NAICS codes are widely used throughout government procurement and small-business programs.
A company may potentially operate under more than one relevant NAICS code depending on its activities. Identify the codes that accurately represent your actual business capabilities — do not select unrelated codes simply to pursue more contracts.
U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS
The official source for North American Industry Classification System codes used throughout government procurement and small-business programs.
Research NAICS CodesUnderstand Your Competitive Position.
Federal contracting includes programs and set-asides for qualifying small businesses. Understanding which programs may apply to your business is an important part of positioning.
Federal small-business programs include:
Not every veteran qualifies for every program. Eligibility requirements vary. Verify current requirements through official government resources.
SBA Veteran Small Business Certification — VetCert
The official SBA certification program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Explore Veteran Business CertificationVeteran-Owned Business Opportunities
The complete VGS guide to VOSB and SDVOSB programs, SBA VetCert, and veteran-specific contracting opportunities.
Explore Veteran OpportunitiesYour Government Business Resume.
A capability statement is commonly used to communicate what a company can provide to government buyers and potential prime contractors. It is one of the most important marketing tools in government contracting.
A strong capability statement commonly includes:
One universal capability-statement format is not required for every opportunity. Tailor your statement to the audience.
Put VGS AI on Your Contracting Team
"Help me organize the content for my government capability statement."
"Turn my business services into concise core capabilities."
"Help me identify potential differentiators."
"Rewrite my company description for a government audience."
"Help me organize my relevant past performance."
Research Before You Bid.
One of the most valuable government contracting activities is researching historical purchasing behavior before pursuing any opportunity. Understanding the market helps you focus your efforts where they are most likely to succeed.
Investigate before you pursue any opportunity:
USASpending.gov
The official source of U.S. federal spending data — search historical contract awards by agency, NAICS code, contractor, and more.
Research Federal AwardsNow Start Looking for Opportunities.
SAM.gov provides federal contract opportunity information. Once your business is registered and positioned, you can search for active solicitations and pre-solicitation notices.
SAM.gov Contract Opportunities
The official U.S. government source for federal contract opportunity information — search active solicitations, awards, and procurement notices.
Search Contract OpportunitiesSearch using these filters:
Finding an opportunity does NOT automatically mean the business should bid. The opportunity must match the company's actual capabilities.
READ BEFORE YOU BID.
Government solicitations can contain detailed requirements that must be understood before submitting a proposal. Failure to follow solicitation instructions can make a proposal nonresponsive or otherwise unsuccessful.
Solicitations can contain detailed requirements involving:
A GOOD OPPORTUNITY IS NOT JUST ONE YOU CAN BID ON.
IT IS ONE YOU CAN PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY.
Government Documents Can Be Complicated. AI Can Help You Understand Them.
The VGS AI Command Center can help entrepreneurs research terminology, organize information, understand complex concepts, create checklists, and prepare questions before making decisions.
"Explain this government contracting terminology in plain English."
"Summarize the major requirements I should review in this solicitation."
"Create a checklist of the submission requirements I should verify."
"Help me organize questions I need answered before deciding whether to pursue this opportunity."
"Explain the evaluation criteria in plain language."
"Help me compare this opportunity with my company capabilities."
"Create a compliance checklist based on the requirements I provide."
AI-generated analysis should be verified against the ORIGINAL solicitation and official government information. VGS AI does not replace the contracting officer, attorney, accountant, procurement professional, or other qualified professional.
You Don't Always Have to Start as the Prime.
There are two primary ways to participate in government contracting work.
Prime Contractor
The business contracts directly with the government. The prime contractor is responsible for overall contract performance and delivery.
Subcontractor
The business performs part of the work under another contractor. Subcontracting can be a valuable entry point for businesses newer to government contracting.
Subcontracting can help newer contractors:
Research prime contractors operating in your industry. Many large prime contractors are required to develop small-business subcontracting plans.
FREE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING ASSISTANCE EXISTS.
APEX Accelerators are funded by the Department of Defense to provide assistance to businesses interested in competing for government contracts. Services are generally provided at low or no cost.
Services can include:
Investigate free and low-cost official resources before paying private companies significant amounts for basic government-contracting information.
APEX Accelerators
DoD-funded organizations providing government contracting assistance, education, and procurement support to businesses at low or no cost.
Find an APEX AcceleratorGovernment Contracting Is Still Business.
Government contracting is not simply submitting bids anonymously. Relationships, reputation, capability, performance, and understanding the customer matter.
Key relationships to develop:
Winning the Contract Is the Beginning.
Once a business wins work, execution matters. Successful performance can strengthen a company's position for future opportunities.
Execution requires attention to:
Government Contracting Roadmap
Put VGS AI on Your Contracting Team
LEARN IT WITH VGS.
BUILD IT WITH VGS AI.
YOUR CONTRACTING TEAM STARTS HERE.
Official Government Contracting Resources
SAM.gov
The official U.S. government System for Award Management — entity registration, UEI, and contract opportunities.
Visit SAM.govU.S. Small Business Administration
Federal agency providing small-business programs, certifications, counseling, and contracting resources.
Visit SBA.govSBA VetCert — Veteran Small Business Certification
The official SBA certification program for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
Explore VetCertNAICS — U.S. Census Bureau
The official source for North American Industry Classification System codes used throughout government procurement.
Research NAICS CodesAPEX Accelerators
DoD-funded organizations providing government contracting assistance and procurement education at low or no cost.
Find an APEX AcceleratorVeterans Business Outreach Centers — VBOC
SBA-funded centers providing veteran-specific entrepreneurship support, counseling, and training.
Find a VBOCUSASpending.gov
The official source of U.S. federal spending data — research historical contract awards by agency, NAICS, and contractor.
Research Federal AwardsBE CAREFUL WHO YOU PAY.
Businesses may encounter companies charging for services related to government contracting. Understanding what you are paying for is important.
Businesses may encounter charges for:
Some private services may provide legitimate value.
SAM.gov access and entity registration are available through the official government system without an access or registration fee. Many government contracting educational and counseling resources are also available through government-funded programs.
Understand what you are paying for before purchasing outside assistance.
Your Service Taught You How to Execute a Mission.
Government contracting is another mission.
Understand the objective.
Know your customer.
Prepare your business.
Learn the requirements.
Build the relationships.
Execute.
Improve.
Then compete again.
Veteran Global Solutions is here to help you understand the road, connect you with legitimate resources, and give you modern tools to help build your business.
LEARN IT WITH VGS.
BUILD IT WITH VGS AI.
YOUR CONTRACTING MISSION STARTS HERE.