THE CONTRACTS DESK
Federal, state, and local governments purchase billions in goods and services every year, and set-aside programs exist specifically to widen who wins that work. These official portals are where opportunities are posted and where certification starts.
Procurement / Federal
SAM.gov is the official portal for federal contracting: search active solicitations, register your business to bid, and save searches for your industry codes. Registration is free — anyone charging you for it is a middleman.
SAM.govCertification / Set-asides
SBA's 8(a) program gives certified small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals access to set-aside and sole-source federal contracts, plus mentorship — a nine-year runway designed to build federal past-performance.
SBA 8(a) programContracts / Coaching
MBDA business centers and APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) coach businesses through registration, certification, bid preparation, and finding buyers at the federal, state, and local levels — usually at no cost.
Minority Business Development AgencyCOMMUNITY DESK
Deadlines move and programs change. If you know an official opportunity that belongs here, add it with the source — we review everything before it publishes.