The federal government is one of the largest buyers of goods and services in the world, and a portion of that spending is set aside specifically for small businesses. State, county, and city contracts add billions more. If your business can deliver reliably and price competitively, government work is one of the most durable revenue streams available. But getting there takes more than a SAM.gov registration.

Step 1: Get your entity in good standing

Nothing else matters if your legal foundation is shaky. Your LLC or corporation must be active, your Georgia annual registration current, and your EIN in hand. Contracting officers do check. If your entity is dissolved for missing a $50 annual filing, you will not win the contract.

Step 2: Register on SAM.gov (and get your UEI)

SAM.gov is the master database of vendors doing business with the federal government. Registration is free — anyone charging you a fee for standard SAM.gov registration is not the government. You'll be assigned a Unique Entity ID (UEI). The process takes a few hours of prep and can take a few weeks for full activation, so start early.

Step 3: Pick your NAICS codes carefully

NAICS codes classify what you sell. Contracting officers search by NAICS. Pick one primary code and up to a handful of secondary codes that actually match your capabilities — not aspirational codes you might grow into. Getting invited to bid on work you can't deliver hurts your reputation faster than not being invited at all.

Step 4: Build a real capability statement

A capability statement is a one-page (max two) PDF a contracting officer can skim in 30 seconds. It should include:

• Core competencies — 3 to 6 clear service or product areas
• Differentiators — what makes you distinct from the other 20 vendors
• Past performance — commercial clients count when you're starting out
• Company data — UEI, CAGE code, NAICS codes, certifications, contact

Step 5: Pursue set-aside certifications

The federal government sets aside portions of contracts for specific small business categories administered by the SBA. Check whether you qualify for:

• Small Business (SB) — size standards vary by NAICS
• 8(a) Business Development Program — for socially and economically disadvantaged owners
• Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) / EDWOSB
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• HUBZone — if your business is located in a qualifying area

Certifications are paperwork-heavy and take months. Start now — they're usually worth it.

Step 6: Learn to find opportunities

Federal opportunities post on SAM.gov. State opportunities post on the Georgia Procurement Registry. County and city bids live on individual purchasing department pages. Set daily searches by NAICS and keyword. Attend industry days, pre-bid conferences, and vendor outreach events — the winners in a room have usually been in that room before.

Take the free RMS Business Success Index™ to benchmark your operational and financial readiness.