Foreign Ownership Rules Are Expanding—Is Your Vendor Network Putting You at Risk?
If you’re a small business in the government contracting space—especially in IT, telecom, drones, or physical security—your vendor list could be your weakest link. The feds aren’t just scrutinizing what you sell to them; they want to know what’s in your office, who made it, and whether any part of your supply chain touches banned or foreign-owned tech.
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.
Set-Asides Reset: What FY2025's Federal Contracting Goals Mean for Small Businesses
If you’re a small business trying to break into—or stay in—the federal contracting world, FY2025 is going to be a pivotal year. New SBA rules, a strategic goal reset, and evolving compliance requirements are shaking up the landscape. Whether you're newly 8(a)-certified or running a veteran-owned firm navigating VetCert, this isn’t just bureaucratic noise—it’s your roadmap (or roadblock) to millions in potential revenue.
AI is Rewriting the Rulebook for Small Government Contractors—Here’s How to Keep Up
The federal government is going all in on artificial intelligence, and if you're a small business in the government contracting space, this isn’t just interesting—it’s urgent. New AI-powered initiatives are streamlining how agencies operate, buy, and evaluate everything from predictive maintenance to cybersecurity tools. But with the opportunities come new rules, new risks, and a serious need for compliance discipline. If you’re aiming to stay competitive (and compliant) in FY2025 and beyond, now’s the time to act.
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.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Federal Government Contracting for Small Businesses in 2025
If you're a small business owner looking to tap into the massive pool of federal government spending, the process can feel overwhelming—especially if you're just getting started. Acronyms like SAM, NAICS, UEI, and FAR might sound like alphabet soup now, but with a little clarity and a solid roadmap, you'll be well on your way to landing your first government contract.
DoD’s Software Acquisition Pathways: A New Door Opens for Agile Contractors
The Department of Defense just made it easier—and faster—for software-focused small businesses to break into federal contracting. If you’re in the business of governance, compliance, or risk management tools, the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) and Software Fast Track (SWFT) programs could be your express lanes to securing DoD contracts. Here's what you need to know—and how to act.
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.
The Best NAICS Codes for Small Businesses Going After SLED Contracts in 2025
State, local, and education (SLED) contracts can be a goldmine for small businesses, but only if you know how to position yourself. One of the most overlooked (but powerful) ways to boost your visibility and competitiveness? Picking the right NAICS code.
FY2026’s Skinny Budget: What It Means for Your Government Contracts
You might’ve seen the headlines: on May 2, 2025, the White House dropped its Fiscal Year 2026 “skinny budget” blueprint, calling for a $163 billion cut to non-defense discretionary spending—nearly 23% across domestic agencies—while boosting defense outlays by 13% to about $1.01 trillion . For government contractors and small businesses, this isn’t just politics as usual; it’s a roadmap of where opportunity—and risk—will lie in the year ahead.
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.
Cyber Budget Cuts Are Reshaping the Playing Field for Contractors—Here’s How to Adapt
If you’re a small business or cybersecurity contractor serving the federal government, brace yourself: the landscape just changed—fast. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a hallmark of the second Trump administration, has been slashing budgets and cutting contracts across the board, and the cybersecurity sector is feeling the burn.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Contractors, Brace Yourselves: NCI’s Acquisition Power Just Moved to ARPA-H
If you’ve got a stake in health R&D contracts—especially with the National Cancer Institute—there’s a seismic shift you need to know about. As part of a sweeping reorganization at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), all acquisition roles at NCI are being eliminated effective June 2, 2025. Contracting responsibilities are being handed over to ARPA-H, the agency known for agile, DARPA-style health innovation. It’s all thanks to Executive Order 14210. And yes, this changes everything about how contracts will be managed going forward.