Federal Contractor Readiness
Federal Contractor Registration & Readiness Guides
Step-by-step guidance for registering, qualifying, certifying, and preparing to operate as a federal contractor.
Looking for guidance on capture, proposals, bid/no-bid decisions, or opportunity strategy? Explore Federal Capture & Proposal Guides.
Common starting points
25 guides
- Apply for 8(a)How to Apply for 8(a)Apply to SBA's 8(a) Business Development program for mentoring, business development, and access to sole-source and set-aside opportunities when certified.Small Business Certifications
- Apply for HUBZoneHow to Apply for HUBZoneCertify your business in SBA's Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program and maintain principal office and employee residency requirements.Small Business Certifications
- Apply for SDVOSBHow to Apply for SDVOSBObtain SBA Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certification and reflect the status in SAM.gov to compete for SDVOSB set-asides.Small Business Certifications
- Apply for WOSBHow to Apply for WOSBCertify as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB) through SBA's certification process, then align SAM.gov representations with your approved status.Small Business Certifications
- Complete DD Form 2345How to Complete DD Form 2345Complete DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, accurately for Joint Certification Program (JCP) approval to access export-controlled technical data.Defense Readiness
- Complete SPRSHow to Complete SPRSEnter NIST SP 800-171 basic assessment scores and related metadata in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) through PIEE after completing your self-assessment.Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Create a Capability StatementHow to Create a Capability StatementBuild a one- or two-page federal capability statement with core competencies, differentiators, NAICS/PSC codes, past performance, and SAM identifiers for outreach and teaming.Proposal Readiness
- Determine Your PSC CodesHow to Determine Your PSC CodesIdentify Product and Service Codes (PSC) that describe what the government buys from you, using the official PSC manual and FPDS definitions for market research and quoting.Classification & Codes
- Find Your NAICS CodesHow to Find Your NAICS CodesSelect North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that match how your company performs work, using official Census definitions before entering them in SAM.gov and market research tools.Classification & Codes
- Get a CAGE CodeHow to Get a CAGE CodeLearn how Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) codes are assigned through SAM.gov registration, what data must be correct, and how to verify your code using official DLA and SAM resources.Registration & Identity
- Get a GSA MAS ContractHow to Get a GSA MAS ContractPursue a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract by preparing a compliant offer in GSA's solicitation system with catalog, pricing, and representations required by GSA.Contract Vehicles
- Get a UEIHow to Get a UEIA Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is assigned when your organization completes SAM.gov entity registration—there is no separate UEI-only application outside that process.Registration & Identity
- Access Controlled Technical DataHow to Get Access to Controlled Technical DataObtain access to unclassified militarily critical technical data through JCP certification, DD Form 2345, and solicitation-specific distribution requirements.Defense Readiness
- Get an SBA DSBS ProfileHow to Get an SBA DSBS ProfileCreate and maintain a Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile so contracting officers and partners can find your small business capabilities tied to your SAM.gov registration.Small Business Certifications
- Get JCP CertificationHow to Get JCP CertificationApply for Defense Logistics Agency Joint Certification Program (JCP) access using DD Form 2345 so your company can receive unclassified export-controlled technical data from the U.S. government and contractors.Defense Readiness
- Prepare for CMMCHow to Prepare for CMMCPrepare for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) by scoping environments handling Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information and aligning controls before reporting in SPRS when required.Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Bid on Your First Federal ContractHow to Prepare to Bid on Your First Federal ContractPrepare registration, codes, compliance, and proposal basics before submitting your first offer on a SAM.gov federal contract opportunity.General Federal Contracting Readiness
- Register for DLA DIBBSHow to Register for DLA DIBBSRegister for the Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) to search DLA solicitations, download requirements, and submit quotes using your active SAM.gov and CAGE credentials.Procurement Systems
- Register for Grants.govHow to Register for Grants.govRegister your organization and users on Grants.gov, complete SAM.gov requirements, and obtain roles needed to search and apply for federal grant opportunities.Grants & Innovation
- Register in eSRSHow to Register in eSRSRegister in the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) to submit subcontracting reports required on federal contracts with subcontracting plans.Payment & Post-Award
- Register in PIEEHow to Register in PIEERegister in the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) to access DoD applications including SPRS cyber reporting, invoicing, and other post-award tools.Payment & Post-Award
- Register in SAM.govHow to Register in SAM.govSAM.gov entity registration is the primary path to obtain a UEI, CAGE-related identifiers as applicable, and an active federal vendor record.Registration & Identity
- Respond to Sources SoughtHow to Respond to Sources SoughtRespond to federal sources sought and requests for information to influence acquisition strategy and demonstrate capability before a formal solicitation is released.Opportunity Response
- Use CPARSHow to Use CPARSAccess Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) to review past performance evaluations and submit contractor comments on draft reports.Payment & Post-Award