5 Proposal Mistakes That Are Costing You Federal Contracts (and How to Fix Them)
If you’ve ever poured hours—or weeks—into a government proposal only to walk away empty-handed, you’re not alone. Federal contracting is brutal in that way. The smallest misstep can knock you out of the running before evaluators even read your technical brilliance or see your competitive pricing. But here’s the good news: Most of these mistakes are 100% avoidable. Let’s walk through five of the most common proposal pitfalls small businesses make—and more importantly, how to sidestep them.
AI in Federal Contracting Just Got Real—Here’s What Small Businesses Need to Do
AI is no longer a future concept in federal procurement—it’s here, and it’s rewriting the rulebook. Agencies like DoD, GSA, VA, and DHS are embedding artificial intelligence into every stage of the acquisition process. Whether it’s evaluating your proposal, doing market research, or issuing solicitations, there’s a good chance a machine is involved. For small businesses navigating government contracting opportunities, this shift has big implications—and even bigger opportunities.
Entering Federal Contracting in 2025? Here’s the No-BS Guide Small Businesses Actually Need
If you’ve been thinking about getting into federal contracting, now’s a smart time to move. With over $178 billion awarded to small businesses in FY2023 and FY2025 shaping up to be just as lucrative—there’s opportunity out there. But winning contracts isn’t about luck or spammy bid sites—it’s about preparation, positioning, and persistence.
Top NAICS Codes for Small Business Federal Contracts in FY2025 (So Far)
If you're chasing federal contracts in 2025, here’s a reality check: the agencies aren’t slowing down, and neither are the opportunities. From IT services to construction to niche environmental cleanup, small businesses are capturing billions in new awards—and it all boils down to which NAICS codes are winning.
FY2025: The Year of Contract Consolidation—and What It Means for Small GovCons
If it feels like the federal contracting landscape is shrinking around you, you're not imagining it. FY2025 is shaping up to be the year of contract consolidation. Fewer, bigger contract vehicles. Less room to compete. More pressure on small and mid-sized businesses to scale up—or get pushed out.
How to Read an RFP Like a Pro: The 10 Most Important Sections to Skim First
If you’re new to government contracting, Requests for Proposals (RFPs) can feel like reading stereo instructions written in legalese. And when you're juggling operations, BD, and proposal prep, you don’t have hours to dissect every word of a 60-page solicitation just to find out it’s a bad fit.
SBA’s 2025 Rule Shake-Up: What Small GovCon Firms Need to Know Now
If you thought your SBA certification was something you could “set and forget,” 2025 is here to shake up that assumption. A flurry of final rules and executive orders over the past year has rewritten the playbook on small business set-aside eligibility, M&A strategies, and how you hold on to that all-important “small” status. Whether you’re in the 8(a) program, pursuing women owned small business certification, or managing multiple 8a contracts services, these changes have direct—and potentially disruptive—implications.
GSA’s Power Play: What the SEWP and CIO-SP Transfer Means for Small Contractors
In a move that could reshape federal IT contracting as we know it, the General Services Administration (GSA) is preparing to take over two of the government’s largest technology purchasing vehicles: NASA’s SEWP and NIH’s CIO-SP. If you’re a small or mid-size business navigating government procurement, this shift isn’t just an administrative shuffle—it could change how you compete, who you compete against, and what hoops you’ll need to jump through to win.
SBIR Scrutiny Is Rising—Here’s What Contractors Need to Know About Foreign Influence Risk
The SBIR/STTR programs have long been a lifeline for tech-focused small businesses looking to fund innovation and bring new products to market. But in 2025, these “America’s Seed Fund” programs are under intense scrutiny—not for how much they fund, but who they fund. If you’re a small business eyeing these grants, or already holding one, foreign affiliations are now a make-or-break factor. And agencies aren’t treating these risks equally.
SLED Contracting Just Got Easier—If You Know the Right Codes
Trying to break into state and local government contracts—or scale up your wins? Then you’ve probably wrestled with the alphabet soup of codes used in procurement. But here’s the thing: if you’re a small business focused on state, local, and education (SLED) markets, understanding Product Service Codes (PSCs) vs. NAICS codes isn’t just helpful—it’s strategic.
Pentagon’s New Procurement Playbook Could Be a Gamechanger for Small Contractors
The Department of Defense just issued a seismic shift in how it does business—and small businesses should be paying close attention. On April 9, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base.” It’s a sweeping directive that reimagines how the Pentagon buys goods and services, with bold promises to slash red tape, speed up awards, and reward agility over bureaucracy.
Tariffs Are Back—and Government Contractors Need to Pay Attention
New tariffs are hitting supply chains hard, and if you're a government contractor—especially with fixed-price contracts—you're likely already feeling the squeeze. In early 2025, the federal government rolled out sweeping new import duties, including a 10% “reciprocal tariff” on most goods and even harsher penalties for imports from China. For government contractors, this isn’t just another trade headline—it’s a cost crisis with real contract performance risks.
Faster, Leaner, More Competitive: How the 2025 Federal Contracting Reforms Reshape the Game for Small Businesses
In May 2025, the Trump Administration dropped a procurement policy bombshell: a sweeping Executive Order, backed by a DoD memo, that rewires how federal contracts—especially defense contracts—are awarded. If you’re running a government contracting business, or thinking about jumping in, this just changed the landscape.
The Pentagon’s New SWFT Program Could Be a Game-Changer for Software Vendors—If You’re Ready
The Department of Defense just launched something that could open the door to more government contracting opportunities—or lock you out if you’re not prepared. It’s called the Software Fast Track (SWIFT) program, and it aims to slash the time it takes to get your software approved for use on military systems. For small businesses, especially those navigating the government contracting certification process, this could be a game-changer.
Navy Axes $568M in IT Contracts — Here’s What It Means for GovCon Firms
The Navy just pulled the plug on some of its biggest IT modernization efforts — and if you’re a government contracting business, especially in the tech or logistics space, this is a headline you can’t afford to ignore. We're talking about over $568 million in canceled contracts, including a massive human-resources overhaul and a failed logistics software program. And it's not just about what was cut — it’s about where the Navy is headed next.
Army’s Bold Overhaul: What It Means for Defense Contractors—Especially the Small and Nimble
On April 30, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth dropped a bombshell in the form of a sweeping memo ordering a full-scale transformation of the U.S. Army. This isn’t a bureaucratic shuffle or a few tweaks at the margins—it’s a root-and-branch reimagining of how the Army organizes, equips, and fights. For businesses with Army contracts—or hoping to break into the space—this is not just news. It’s a full-on call to pivot, adapt, and rethink your positioning in the defense landscape.
The Pentagon’s New SWFT Program Could Be a Game-Changer for Software Vendors—If You’re Ready
The Department of Defense just launched something that could open the door to more government contracting opportunities—or lock you out if you’re not prepared. It’s called the Software Fast Track (SWIFT) program, and it aims to slash the time it takes to get your software approved for use on military systems. For small businesses, especially those navigating the government contracting certification process, this could be a game-changer.
Pentagon’s Tech Overhaul Could Reshape Government Contracting—Here’s What You Need to Know
The Pentagon is about to hit refresh on how it buys cutting-edge tech. A major reorganization is in the works that could consolidate several of its innovation arms into one new, streamlined acquisition powerhouse. If you’re in the business of government contracting—especially if you touch AI, defense tech, or R&D—this move could either open new doors or push you out of the running.