The contractor's reading room

A little preparation goes a long way.

Practical guides for a more informed next step.

Contracting guide

How to win your first government contract

First Contract Path: set up an entity, get a UEI, check demand, learn set-asides, and decide when to bid.

Published Jul 8, 2026

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Guide · Jul 8, 2026

SAM.gov registration walkthrough

What SAM.gov and the Unique Entity ID (UEI) are for, what blocks first-time registrants, and where to get free APEX help.

Guide · Jul 8, 2026

What is a set-aside?

Plain English set-aside rules for small business programs, with links to open opportunities.

Guide · Jul 8, 2026

How to read a contract opportunity page

A 10-minute checklist for reading federal opportunity notices: what the agency buys, who buys it, the deadline, set-aside, NAICS and PSC, and when not to bid.

Guide · Jul 8, 2026

Bid/no-bid review for government contracts

A bid/no-bid process for simplified acquisitions: check fit, past performance, and capacity, then choose pursue, investigate, or hold.

Guide · Jul 17, 2026

How to track SAM.gov opportunity changes

A process for catching deadline, attachment, set-aside, contact, and status changes without calling an import time the official amendment time.

Guide · Jul 21, 2026

How to choose a NAICS code for government contracts

Choose a North American Industry Classification System code by matching what you sell to the official definition, size standard, and live federal demand.