How do I become a government contractor?

Register in SAM.gov, identify your NAICS codes and any set-aside eligibility, then find and respond to solicitations that fit.

The baseline steps are: register your business in SAM.gov (which gives you a UEI and CAGE code), determine the NAICS codes that describe your work, and check whether you qualify for any small-business set-aside programs like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, or HUBZone. That combination decides which opportunities you can compete for.

From there it is about finding the right solicitations and writing responses that follow the government's structure. Start with lower-risk entry points like sources sought notices and RFQs, and build past performance you can point to on bigger bids.

Related terms: SAM registration, NAICS code, Set-aside, 8(a) program