FiftyBidsGovernment contracts and grants, in one plain-English search.

New to Government Bidding? Start Here

Plain-English answers for first-time bidders. Last checked Oct 24, 2026.

Heads up: This is general information, not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Rules and dollar limits change. Always read the actual solicitation and check the official source linked under each answer.

What FiftyBids covers today

FiftyBids searches today's federal contract notices (from the public files SAM.gov publishes) and federal grants (from Grants.gov), in plain English. That's all it covers right now. State, county, city, school and township bids are not in FiftyBids yet. For those, see the Beyond FiftyBids box near the end. Every card links to the official posting, and the official posting is always the version that counts.
Source: fiftybids.com (checked Oct 24, 2026)

What we won't do

  • We don't scrape SAM.gov. We read the public files the government publishes.
  • We don't submit bids for you, and we don't promise you'll win. No one can guarantee an award.
  • We never charge for SAM.gov registration, and we can't register or renew you. We'll never ask for your SAM.gov or Login.gov password.
  • We're not a government agency and aren't affiliated with any agency.

"Registration in SAM.gov is always free." (U.S. General Services Administration)
Source: GSA – Don't Take the Bait: Beware of Misleading Marketing, Imposters, and Phishing

The basics

1. What is government contracting?

It's when a government agency buys goods or services from a private business. Agencies post what they need, businesses send offers, and the agency picks a winner under set rules.
Source: SAM.gov – Contract Opportunities

2. What's the difference between federal, state, and local bids?

Each level has its own rules and its own registration. For Ohio state and local bids, see Beyond FiftyBids below.
Source: SAM.gov – Contract Opportunities

3. Can a small or one-person business really win?

Yes, it's possible. For most federal contracts above the micro-purchase threshold (see Q19), the contracting officer must set the work aside for small businesses if they reasonably expect offers from at least two responsible small businesses at fair market prices, quality and delivery. This is called the "rule of two." Agencies are moving to the new FAR overhaul rules one at a time. Under the older FAR text, the rule applies up to the simplified acquisition threshold ($350,000 for most buys). The solicitation says whether it's set aside.
Sources: FAR Overhaul – Part 19 (RFO 19.104-1) · GSA class deviation RFO-2025-19 · FAR 19.502-2 (older text) · Threshold changes

4. Grants vs. contracts: what's the difference?

A contract buys goods or services for the government. A grant funds a public-purpose project. Many federal grants are open only to nonprofits, schools, local governments or tribes, so check the eligibility section of each listing. Some programs, such as SBIR and STTR, do fund small businesses. Both require a SAM.gov registration and a UEI. Be wary of anyone selling "free government grants" to start a business.
Sources: Simpler.Grants.gov · SAM.gov – Entity Registration · BBB scam alert · SBIR.gov

What you need

5. Do I need an EIN?

Your business needs a Taxpayer ID, and for most businesses that's an EIN. Federal registration asks for one. You can get an EIN free from the IRS.
Sources: IRS – Get an EIN · GSA – Register your business

6. What are SAM.gov and a UEI?

SAM.gov is the federal government's vendor registry. To bid on federal contracts as a prime contractor, you need a full SAM.gov entity registration, and you get a Unique Entity ID (UEI) during that process. You must renew every 365 days.

You can get a UEI alone without full registration, but a UEI alone doesn't let you bid as a prime contractor. Only full entity registration does.
Source: SAM.gov – Entity Registration

7. What's a CAGE code, and do I need "full" registration?

A CAGE code is a 5-character ID. One is assigned during SAM registration if you don't already have one. A UEI alone is enough for some reporting, for example as a subrecipient. To bid as a prime contractor, you need full entity registration, renewed every 365 days.
Sources: SAM.gov – Entity Registration · GSA – Register your business

8. Does SAM.gov registration cost money?

No. It's always free. "Registration in SAM.gov is always free… The government will never ask you to pay to register, update your registration, or renew." (GSA)

Sources: GSA bulletin · EXIM – avoid UEI registration scams

9. Someone offered to "get me government contracts" for a fee. Should I pay?

You never need to pay anyone to register or renew in SAM.gov. Free one-on-one help is available from APEX Accelerators and Small Business Development Centers (see Q31). If you're thinking about hiring any paid service, check it out independently first. The government will never ask for fees by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
Sources: GSA bulletin · BBB scam alert · APEX Accelerators

10. How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Allow at least 10 business days after you submit for your registration to become active. It takes longer if the IRS or CAGE checks fail, or if SAM asks you to send documents to validate your entity; plan on extra weeks in that case. Check your spam folder for messages to your Government Business point of contact. Sign-in goes through Login.gov.
Sources: SAM entity registration checklist (PDF) · GSA – Register your business

11. What's a NAICS code?

A NAICS code is a 6-digit number that describes your industry, such as 513210 for Software Publishers. You list your codes in SAM.gov. Each solicitation usually has one NAICS code, and that code sets the size limit for whether you count as "small."
Sources: Census – NAICS · SBA size standards (13 CFR 121.201)

12. What's a capability statement?

It's a short, usually one-page, summary of your business. Include:

Content matters more than design. List the 2–3 NAICS codes you actually perform, and proofread it. You give it to buyers and prime contractors when you introduce your business.
Source: HHS – Write a capability statement

Finding bids

13. Where do I find federal bids?

On SAM.gov Contract Opportunities. Anyone can search without an account, and a free account lets you save searches and follow notices. FiftyBids searches the same public notices in plain English, with filters for trade, set-aside and distance from your shop.
Sources: SAM.gov – Contract Opportunities · fiftybids.com

14. I have no government past performance. Can I still win?

Often, yes. Read how each solicitation scores offers; many smaller buys weigh price and capability more than federal history. Relevant commercial work can count. Subcontracting to a prime contractor (Q15) is a common way to build federal past performance. USAspending shows who already holds contracts in your field.
Sources: USAspending – Award Search · SBA SubNet · FAR Overhaul – Part 19

15. Can I start as a subcontractor instead?

Yes. Large prime contractors on big federal contracts often must have plans to subcontract to small businesses. SBA's SubNet lists subcontracting opportunities.
Sources: SBA – Certifications · SBA SubNet

Set-asides and certifications

16. What's a "set-aside"?

A set-aside is a contract where only certain businesses can compete. Some are open to any small business. Others are limited to certified groups such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB or SDVOSB firms.
Source: SBA – Certifications

17. What are 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and EDWOSB?

You apply for all of these through SBA Certifications.
Sources: SBA – 8(a) Business Development program · 13 CFR 124.2 (nine-year term) · SBA 8(a) social disadvantage FAQ (Aug 28, 2026, PDF) · Federal Register final rule · SBA news release, Jan 22, 2026 · SBA – Certifications

18. I'm a veteran. Does that help?

It can. SBA's VetCert program certifies:

To compete for an SDVOSB or VOSB set-aside or sole-source award, your business must be certified by SBA (VetCert) and show as certified in SAM. Self-certification for SDVOSB set-asides ended Jan 1, 2024. SDVOSBs can compete for set-asides across the federal government, and VOSBs get extra set-aside opportunities at the VA. For Ohio's veteran program, see Beyond FiftyBids below.
Sources: SBA – VetCert · 13 CFR part 128 · FAR Overhaul – Part 19 (RFO 19.106)

Ways to buy and sell

19. What's a micro-purchase?

It's a small federal buy, generally $15,000 or less since Oct 1, 2025. Lower limits apply to construction covered by prevailing-wage rules ($2,000) and to services covered by the Service Contract Act ($2,500). Buyers often pay with a government purchase card, so being easy to buy from helps: clear prices, cards accepted and an active SAM registration. Many new contractors start with small buys like these.
Sources: Threshold changes, Oct 1, 2025 · FAR 2.101 definitions

20. What's the GSA Schedule?

It's a long-term federal contract (the "Multiple Award Schedule") that lets agencies order from you more easily. It's optional. Most applicants need about 2 years of company history and financials. GSA's "Startup Springboard" exception is narrow.
Sources: GSA – Roadmap to a MAS contract · Startup Springboard

Bidding

21. What do RFP, RFQ, RFI, and "Sources Sought" mean?

Sources: GSA – Respond to a solicitation · SAM.gov

22. How do I read a solicitation?

Find three things:

  1. What they need: the SOW, PWS or SOO.
  2. How they'll score you: for example price, technical approach and past performance.
  3. The exact submission instructions and deadline.

Also follow the notice so you see amendments.
Source: GSA – Respond to a solicitation

23. How do I price my first bid?

  1. Read the pricing section of the solicitation and use its format exactly.
  2. Build your price from your real costs: labor hours × a fully loaded hourly rate, plus materials, travel, subcontractors, insurance, bonds if required, overhead and profit.
  3. Look up what agencies paid for similar work on USAspending. Treat that as a reality check, not a target.
  4. Don't underbid work you can't perform at a profit.

A free APEX Accelerator counselor can review your pricing approach (Q31).
Sources: USAspending – Award Search · GSA – Respond to a solicitation · Virginia APEX – counseling services

24. Do I need bonds or to pay prevailing wages?

FiftyBids' heads-up flags point these out when a notice mentions them. Always read the solicitation itself.
Sources: FAR 28.102-1 · FAR 2.101 · Threshold changes

25. I want to sell to the Department of Defense. What's CMMC?

Since Nov 10, 2025, DoD solicitations can require a CMMC self-assessment. If you'll handle only basic Federal Contract Information, that's usually Level 1: a yearly self-assessment against 15 basic safeguards, entered in SPRS and affirmed by a company official (the "Affirming Official"). In July 2026, DoD suspended the next phase, which was set for Nov 10, 2026, and started reviewing the program. The Phase 1 self-assessment rules stay in place, but details may change. Each solicitation says which level, if any, it requires.
Sources: 32 CFR 170.15 · DFARS final rule, Sept 10, 2025 · DoD CIO – CMMC resources · DoD Office of Small Business Programs – CMMC

26. How do I submit?

Follow the solicitation's instructions exactly: the format, the portal or email address, page limits and required forms. "In most cases," federal offerors must have an active SAM.gov registration when they submit an offer, at award, and for the life of the contract.
Source: GSA – Register your business

27. What are the most common mistakes?

Sources: GSA – Respond to a solicitation · SAM.gov – renew every 365 days

28. What should I do if I lose?

Ask for a debriefing. It tells you how your offer was scored, and that's the fastest way to improve.

Keep a simple log of every bid (your price, the result and the winner); you can look up awards later on USAspending.
Sources: FAR Overhaul – Part 15 (RFO 15.301-1) · FAR 15.506 (older text) · USAspending

After you win

29. How and when do I get paid?

Federal agencies generally pay by electronic funds transfer to the bank account in your SAM registration. Under the Prompt Payment rules, payment is generally due 30 days after the agency receives a proper invoice or accepts the work, whichever is later, unless the contract sets a different date. Late payments can earn interest. Follow the contract's invoicing instructions exactly; many agencies use an online invoicing system.
Sources: FAR 32.9 – Prompt Payment · FAR 32.905 – proper invoice · FAR 32.904

30. How long until I win something?

There's no official government figure. One APEX Accelerator says the average is 12–18 months to a first contract, and that working with them doesn't guarantee one. Small buys, subcontracting and responding to sources-sought notices usually come first.
Source: GT APEX Accelerator FAQ

Free help

31. Where can I get free help?

Neither one charges you to register in SAM.gov. APEX is free, but some centers ask that you already have a registered business and a product or service ready to sell. Brand-new businesses may be pointed to an SBDC or SCORE first.
Sources: APEX Accelerators – find yours · GT APEX FAQ · Virginia APEX – eligibility · SBA – Local assistance

Beyond FiftyBids: Ohio state and local bidding

FiftyBids doesn't search these yet. This box is general information to help you find them yourself. Last checked Oct 24, 2026.

B1. Where do I find Ohio state bids?
On OhioBuys, the state's e-procurement system. To bid, you first create an OH|ID account and then register as a bidder. Registration lets you pick commodity codes, so you get notified about matching bids. Most Ohio state-agency bids are posted and submitted in OhioBuys, but some agencies and state universities use their own systems. The bid notice tells you where to submit.
Sources: Ohio – Selling to the State · OhioBuys · OhioBuys bidder guide (PDF)

B2. What about county and city bids?
Local governments post their own bids, often on their website, in legal notices or on a bid portal. Ohio counties, cities and villages must competitively bid most purchases over $79,568 in 2026. That amount rises 3% each year, and there are exceptions in state law.
Sources: Ohio Dept. of Commerce – 2026 competitive bidding threshold · Ohio Rev. Code 9.17 · Ohio Rev. Code 307.86

B3. Are there Ohio programs for disadvantaged or veteran-owned firms?
Yes. Ohio's EDGE program (Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity) is for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged Ohioans. Veteran-Friendly Business Enterprise (VFBE) certification is for businesses that employ or are owned by veterans. Both can give certified firms an advantage on some state purchases. The Ohio Department of Development certifies both, and ODOT runs VFBE for its own contracts. Check each program page for current eligibility and benefits.
Sources: Ohio EDGE · Ohio VFBE · Ohio Office of Business Certifications · Ohio Rev. Code 122.925

FiftyBids is a product of Ridgeline Apps LLC. We're not a government agency and aren't affiliated with or endorsed by SAM.gov, GSA, SBA, the Department of Defense, the State of Ohio, or any other state or local government. Registering in SAM.gov is free. We never charge for it, we aren't a registration agent, we can't register you, and we'll never ask for your SAM.gov or Login.gov password. We don't submit bids, and no one can guarantee an award. This is general information, not legal, tax or accounting advice.