u/Better_Error5648

Government contracting is weird.

You can spend months stressing over certifications, capability statements, and proposals… then find out your office address might be one of the biggest competitive advantages you have.

I’m talking about HUBZone.

For the longest time I thought it only applied to businesses in the middle of nowhere. Nope. There are HUBZone neighborhoods in and around major cities, and most people never think to check.

The wild part? In certain competitions, a qualified HUBZone business can actually beat a lower-priced non-HUBZone bidder because of the way bids are evaluated.

I finally got tired of wrestling with the official map and built an easier one.

https://www.thebiddingcompass.com/guides/sba-certifications

Now I’m wondering… how many people are accidentally sitting in a HUBZone and have no idea?

A Contracting Officer reached out to me recently about an RFI. I’m new to this, so I didn’t realize.

Then it hit me…

We spend so much time on SAM.gov looking for the next RFP, while agencies are doing market research before that opportunity even exists.

Kind of makes me think RFIs don’t get nearly as much attention as they should.

Has anyone here respond to RFI’s? Has it helped in anyway?

Every time government contracting comes up, the same myths get repeated.

Usually by someone who’s never actually bid.

Every time government contracting comes up, the same myths get repeated.

Usually by someone who’s never actually bid.

Or by someone selling a $5,000 course.

Here are six that drive me absolutely insane.

❌ Myth #1: “My business is too small.”

Reality: Small businesses win billions in federal contracts every year.

The government literally sets aside work for small businesses.

Being small isn’t your disadvantage.

It’s often your advantage.

⸻

❌ Myth #2: “You need government experience.”

Reality: Everyone’s first government contract… was their first government contract.

Commercial work absolutely counts.

If you’ve successfully done the same work for private customers, you already have experience that matters.

⸻

❌ Myth #3: “The lowest price always wins.”

Reality: Lowest price loses all the time.

Many contracts are awarded based on best value, not cheapest.

A better technical approach.

Lower risk.

Better past performance.

Those things win contracts.

⸻

❌ Myth #4: “Government contracting is too complicated.”

Reality: It’s overwhelming until someone explains the rules.

Yes…

The acronyms are ridiculous.

The paperwork is annoying.

But most beginners make it harder than it actually is because nobody explains the process in plain English.

⸻

❌ Myth #5: “You need an LLC.”

Reality: No.

Sole proprietors win contracts too.

The government cares whether you’re legally able to do business—not whether you paid your state to print “LLC” after your name.

⸻

❌ Myth #6: “It costs thousands just to get started.”

Reality: SAM.gov registration costs exactly $0.

Please…

Don’t pay someone thousands of dollars just to fill out forms you can complete yourself.

Spend that money growing your business instead.

⸻

Government contracting isn’t easy.

But it’s also not the mysterious, insider-only club people make it out to be.

Most of the barriers I see aren’t legal.

They’re psychological.

People convince themselves they’re not qualified before they ever submit a bid.

⸻

I’m curious…

What’s the biggest myth you’ve heard about government contracting?

Or, if you’ve already been through the process, what do you wish someone had told you before you started?

Every time government contracting comes up, the same myths get repeated.

Usually by someone who’s never actually bid.

Or by someone selling a $5,000 course.

Here are six that drive me absolutely insane.

❌ Myth #1: “My business is too small.”

Reality: Small businesses win billions in federal contracts every year.

The government literally sets aside work for small businesses.

Being small isn’t your disadvantage.

It’s often your advantage.

⸻

❌ Myth #2: “You need government experience.”

Reality: Everyone’s first government contract… was their first government contract.

Commercial work absolutely counts.

If you’ve successfully done the same work for private customers, you already have experience that matters.

⸻

❌ Myth #3: “The lowest price always wins.”

Reality: Lowest price loses all the time.

Many contracts are awarded based on best value, not cheapest.

A better technical approach.

Lower risk.

Better past performance.

Those things win contracts.

⸻

❌ Myth #4: “Government contracting is too complicated.”

Reality: It’s overwhelming until someone explains the rules.

Yes…

The acronyms are ridiculous.

The paperwork is annoying.

But most beginners make it harder than it actually is because nobody explains the process in plain English.

⸻

❌ Myth #5: “You need an LLC.”

Reality: No.

Sole proprietors win contracts too.

The government cares whether you’re legally able to do business—not whether you paid your state to print “LLC” after your name.

⸻

❌ Myth #6: “It costs thousands just to get started.”

Reality: SAM.gov registration costs exactly $0.

Please…

Don’t pay someone thousands of dollars just to fill out forms you can complete yourself.

Spend that money growing your business instead.

⸻

Government contracting isn’t easy.

But it’s also not the mysterious, insider-only club people make it out to be.

Most of the barriers I see aren’t legal.

They’re psychological.

People convince themselves they’re not qualified before they ever submit a bid.

⸻

I’m curious…

What’s the biggest myth you’ve heard about government contracting?

Or, if you’ve already been through the process, what do you wish someone had told you before you started?

Most people fail their federal registration on day one.

They go to SAM.gov, click "Start Registration," and realize halfway through that they don't know their PSC codes, don't have their exact EIN documentation handy, and haven't set up a Login.gov account.

Then the portal times them out for inactivity, and you have to start the bureaucratic nightmare all over again.

You have to have your entire "loadout" prepped before you ever open the government website.

I built a completely free, interactive prep-guide to make sure you are actually ready. There is no email wall and no login required. It’s just a straight-to-the-point tool to get your codes and docs completely in order so you don't get booted out of the portal.

🔗 https://asset-manager--biddingcompass.replit.app/

Get your stuff together first. And if you're trying to navigate this contracting circus without losing your mind, I run a community over at r/TheBiddingCompass where we cut the BS out of the federal bidding process. Come join us.

Maybe I’m missing something… but why does nobody talk about this?

Federal agencies get rid of office furniture, computers, tools, equipment, vehicles, warehouse shelving, and all kinds of other stuff every year. Depending on the program and eligibility, some surplus property can be transferred to qualified organizations at little or no acquisition cost (though there can be fees or transportation costs).

Yet every week I see veteran-owned businesses spending thousands outfitting a new office or shop. I just signed up for Florida’s SASP program. Wish me luck!! Follow my sub for updates!

Maybe I’m missing something… but why does nobody talk about this?

Federal agencies get rid of office furniture, computers, tools, equipment, vehicles, warehouse shelving, and all kinds of other stuff every year. Depending on the program and eligibility, some surplus property can be transferred to qualified organizations at little or no acquisition cost (though there can be fees or transportation costs).

Yet every week I see veteran-owned businesses spending thousands outfitting a new office or shop.

Is it:

• People don’t know these programs exist?
• The process seems intimidating? It almost feels like one of those business “secrets” that somehow never gets mentioned.

Here is the exact checklist you need to get from zero to registered without losing your mind.
The Golden Rule: Most people give up because they start without being prepared. Gather everything in Phase 1 before you even open SAM.gov. Work from top to bottom, and check items as you go.  🚨 SCAM ALERT: Never pay for a UEI. SAM.gov gives it to you for FREE during registration. If a website offers to "get you a UEI" for a fee, it's a scam. 

Phase 1: Pre-Registration (The "Gathering" Phase). Time: 20-40 MIN 

Gather these before you open SAM.gov. Starting without them is how people abandon the process halfway through.  TIN/EIN: Have your Federal Tax ID ready from the IRS. Free at IRS.gov.  Legal business name: Exactly as it appears on your IRS documents. Not your DBA, not your nickname. Exact.  Physical business address: P.O. boxes won't cut it. The government needs a real address.  Bank account info: You need your routing & account number for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is how the government pays you.  NAICS codes: You need these before you register. Look them up and have them ready. 

Phase 2: The SAM.gov Submission (The "Action" Phase). Time: 1-2 HOURS 

These happen inside the SAM.gov portal during registration. Entity Validation: SAM.gov verifies your business is real using the info you provided.  UEI (Unique Entity ID): Assigned automatically during registration. You do not need one beforehand. Scam Alert: Don't go looking for a UEI elsewhere—SAM.gov gives it to you for free during this step. 

Phase 3: After You Register (The "Now Make It Count" Phase). Time: ONGOING 

You're in the system. Now set yourself up so agencies can actually find you - and so you can win contracts.  Get CAGE Code: Assigned after DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) review. You don't apply for this separately. Just be patient. 

Refine your Keyword & PSC Profile: Keywords and Product Service Codes (PSCs) help contracting officers find you. Think of them as your search tags. 

Register with the SBA's DSBS: DSBS is like the Yellow Pages for federal contractors. Register free. Us small businesses need to take advantage of these opportunities before opportunities take an advantage of us!

Setting up your SAM.gov profile is just arriving at basecamp. Let’s talk about gov con and starting your business journey into it. Stay Focused, Keep Learning. Success is a journey, not a destination.

Everyone talks about Buy American.

Almost no one talks about the exceptions—and why Israel keeps showing up in them.

Israel sits in a more favorable procurement lane than most.

I keep finding procurement rules that treat Israel differently than most countries.

Reciprocal defense agreements.

Anti-boycott certifications.

Security cooperation.

Am I connecting dots that aren’t there, or is this just the elephant in the room we ignore?

Why do so many federal solicitations end up with only one offer?

Is it usually: • poor market research? • incumbent advantage? • proposal costs? • short timelines? • overly restrictive requirements? • something else?

I’m genuinely curious because it seems like winning starts long before the solicitation is posted.

We spend countless hours teaching people how to write better proposals.

Should we be spending more time teaching them what happens before the solicitation is ever posted?

Also Government: “To access this level playing field, please submit three years of your most intimate financial documents by Tuesday or face immediate suspension. New applicants, please do not tell us your story. Instead, upload 400 pages of 'verifiable, objective evidence' proving you were personally victimized by a diversity committee in 2023. If your UEI expires while you wait six months for us to validate your trauma, please return to the void and start over.” Their version of "creating opportunity" is replacing subjective red tape with a completely unhinged forensic investigation. That’s my thoughts. 💭 I must be missing something? Please fill me in.

The SBA has successfully removed one barrier. 8(a)

To celebrate, they have introduced seven exciting new barriers.

These barriers have been carefully designed to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to experience barriers.

I’d love some feed back from other business owners and buyers.

When you’re evaluating a professional services company, does seeing the founder’s name, photo, and story increase trust? How important truly is it?