Find the right contracts to bid on

You don't win a federal contract by hunting for the giant, headline deals — you win by finding the right-sized opportunity where you genuinely fit. There are more places to look than just the federal site, and the smartest first moves are often local, small, or as a subcontractor to a bigger winner. Start where you can actually win.

Do this

1. Search live federal opportunities at SAM.gov — filter by your NAICS codes and set-asides you qualify for.
2. Don't skip state, county, city, and school-district buying — often smaller, closer, and less competitive.
3. Consider subcontracting first: get on a bigger contractor's team to build past performance before you prime.
4. Set alerts and start small; a few modest wins build the track record that unlocks bigger ones.

Where to find contracts you can win

Bid where you actually fit, not just the biggest deal you can find:

FEDERAL SAM.gov "Contract Opportunities" — filter by your NAICS codes and the set-asides you qualify for. Set up alerts. STATE/LOCAL Your state's procurement portal, county & city purchasing, school districts, universities — smaller and less crowded. SUBCONTRACT Get on a prime contractor's team first. Lower bar, and it builds the "past performance" bigger contracts require.

START SMALL. A few modest wins create the track record that makes you credible for larger ones. An APEX Accelerator can match you to live opportunities for free — use them.