Small Business

Most small business owners pursue one federal certification and call it a day. That's a mistake. The federal contracting system is designed to reward businesses that hold multiple small business designations — and companies that stack certifications consistently win more contracts, access more set-asides, and command stronger teaming positions than those operating with a single certification. Here's what you need to know about combining certifications strategically. The Three

The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world — spending over $700 billion annually with contractors of all sizes. Yet the majority of small businesses that try to break in fail not because they lack capability, but because they skip foundational steps that contracting officers expect to see. Here are the five things you must have in place before you submit your first federal bid. 1. Active SAM.gov Registration You cannot receive a federal con

Your capability statement is often the first thing a federal contracting officer sees when evaluating your firm. It is not a resume. It is not a brochure. It is a one-page competitive weapon — and most small businesses get it wrong. A poorly structured capability statement buries your certifications, leads with generic language, and fails to answer the one question every contracting officer is asking: why should I award this contract to you instead of someone else? A strong c

The federal government has quietly shifted the rules in favor of veteran-owned small businesses — and the numbers are significant. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024 increased the federal spending goal for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) from 3% to 5% of all prime and subcontract dollars. That's a 67% increase, pushing the annual target to over $31 billion. In FY2025, federal agencies awarded $28.6 billion across approximately 52,000 c