Free & official resources
- SAM.gov — registration and contract opportunities (free, official).
- USASpending.gov — historical contract award data.
- USAJOBS.gov — federal job announcements.
- certify.sba.gov — 8(a), WOSB/EDWOSB, HUBZone certification.
- VetCert (va.gov) — SDVOSB/VOSB verification.
- APEX Accelerators (find yours by state) — free 1:1 GovCon counseling.
- GSA eLibrary / eBuy — Schedule holder opportunities.
- FAR.gov — the full Federal Acquisition Regulation, searchable.
Paid tools worth considering once you're moving
- SAMstream.ai — AI-powered opportunity search, historical archive search, and automated bid packet drafting.
- GovWin IQ, USA Spending analytics dashboards, and similar market-intelligence platforms for larger pursuits.
Your 30-60-90 day action plan
| Timeframe | Focus |
|---|---|
| Days 1-30 | Complete SAM.gov registration, choose NAICS codes, draft your Capability Statement, identify certifications you qualify for. |
| Days 31-60 | Set up opportunity alerts (SAM.gov + an AI tool like SAMstream.ai), respond to 2-3 Sources Sought notices, connect with your local APEX Accelerator. |
| Days 61-90 | Submit your first 1-3 bids using the compliance-matrix workflow from Module 10, and/or apply to 3+ USAJOBS 1102/COR-track postings if pursuing the federal-employee track. |
PRO TIP — Keep going
Government contracting rewards consistency far more than any single 'perfect' bid. Contractors who submit steadily, request every debrief, and refine their compliance process win more over time than those chasing one big score.