What kind of government contractor could you be?
Answer a few questions and we will show you exactly which contracts you could bid on, which set-aside programs you qualify for, and how many open opportunities match your profile right now on SAM.gov.
Do you already have a business?
Key facts about government contracting
- The federal government spent over $750 billion on contracts in fiscal year 2023, making it the world's largest buyer.
- By law, federal agencies must award at least 23% of all contract dollars — more than $163 billion — to small businesses annually.
- SDVOSB set-aside contracts totaled over $22 billion in fiscal year 2023 under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657f).
- SAM.gov registration is free, takes 1–2 weeks to process, and is required before any federal contract can be awarded under FAR 4.1102.
- 8(a)-certified businesses can receive sole-source awards up to $4.5 million for services and $7 million for manufacturing without any competition.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — there is no license required to become a government contractor. Any legal business entity that is registered on SAM.gov can bid on federal opportunities. The government actively seeks small businesses, veteran-owned firms, women-owned firms, and minority-owned businesses. You do not need past government experience to start — many contracts are specifically designed for new entrants.
Once you have a business entity and an EIN, SAM.gov registration takes about 1–2 weeks to process. After that, you can immediately begin responding to solicitations. Most people start with smaller contracts (under $250K) to build past performance, then scale up. Realistically, most new contractors land their first award within 6–18 months of starting to bid seriously.
No. SAM.gov registration is free. Responding to solicitations is free. Set-aside certifications through SBA are free. You will need basic business infrastructure (LLC, bank account, accounting), but the government contracting pipeline itself has no fees. The main investment is time — researching opportunities, writing proposals, and building relationships with contracting officers.
Micro-purchases (under $10,000) and simplified acquisitions (under $250,000) have the least competition and the most flexible procurement rules. Service contracts in professional services, IT support, and administrative assistance are among the most accessible for new contractors. Set-aside contracts in your category also reduce competition significantly — you are only competing against other certified firms.
Yes — a significant one. The VA is legally required to prioritize SDVOSB and VOSB firms before any other set-aside type. Government-wide, SDVOSB firms compete for $22B+ in reserved contract dollars annually. A service-connected disability rating — even a 0% rating — qualifies you for SDVOSB status, which is one of the strongest competitive advantages available in federal contracting.
BidStride provides research tools and contract-matching software — not legal or business advice. Quiz results are estimates based on the information you provide. Actual eligibility for set-aside programs is determined by the SBA and applicable federal regulations. Opportunity counts are derived from SAM.gov data and may vary.