How to find government contracts to bid on and read a solicitation
Every U.S. federal contract opportunity is published on SAM.gov. This guide explains where to follow them and how to read a notice to decide quickly whether it is worth your time.
Updated Nov 2, 2026 · 6 min read
Where they are published
The federal government publishes its purchasing opportunities in the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov, the official portal. It carries notices from every agency: Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, embassies abroad and many more.
Open federal bids on DataCloud USA lists those notices with the buyer, the deadline, key points and a link to the original notice. It helps you filter quickly; to bid, always read the full notice and its attachments on SAM.gov.
Notice types and what they mean
| Notice | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Sources Sought / Request for Information | Market research: the government asks which companies can provide something. It is not buying yet. | Responding is the best way to get noticed and to influence how the solicitation is shaped. |
| Presolicitation | Advance notice: the solicitation is coming soon. | Prepare your team, partners and documents. |
| Solicitation | Open solicitation, with instructions and a deadline. | Read everything, ask questions within the deadline and submit your proposal. |
| Combined Synopsis/Solicitation | A simpler purchase in a single notice, with short deadlines. | Act fast: they often close within weeks or days. |
| Award Notice | Who won and for how much. | Use it to learn about competitors and potential partners. |
| Special Notice | Miscellaneous announcements: industry days, changes, clarifications. | Check whether it affects you. |
How to read a notice in five minutes
- Set-aside. If it says Total Small Business, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB, it is reserved for certain U.S. businesses. If it says No Set-Aside Used or Full and Open Competition, it is open to anyone who meets the requirements.
- Place of Performance. Where the goods are delivered or the service is performed. Embassy purchases in your own country are the most accessible.
- NAICS and PSC codes. Confirm that the industry is yours.
- Response Date. In U.S. Eastern Time unless stated otherwise.
- Attachments. The notice is a summary: the real solicitation (Statement of Work, forms, evaluation criteria) is in the attached files.
- Point of contact. The Contracting Officer takes questions, in writing and within the stated deadline.
How to find the ones that fit you
- Search with industry keywords and your NAICS codes.
- See which agencies buy what you sell and follow their notices.
- Check who won similar contracts in the vendor profiles: they are potential partners for subcontracting.
- Prioritize Sources Sought notices in your industry: answering them costs little and puts you on the buyer's radar.
Before you bid
- You need your UEI and, for direct contracts, full SAM.gov registration.
- Check that your partners are not excluded or sanctioned.
- The proposal must be in English and follow the solicitation instructions to the letter.
Frequently asked questions
Where are U.S. federal bids published?
On SAM.gov, in the Contract Opportunities section. DataCloud USA lists the same notices with their key points and a link to the official notice.
What is a Sources Sought notice?
Market research: the government asks which companies can provide a product or service before issuing a solicitation. Responding is not binding and helps you get noticed.
Can a foreign company bid?
Yes, on solicitations without a set-aside (Full and Open Competition) and on many embassy purchases. Solicitations set aside for U.S. small businesses are generally not open to foreign companies as primes.
This guide is for information only and is not legal advice. Federal contracting rules change: always confirm requirements on SAM.gov and in each solicitation.