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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.
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.
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.
Real Opportunities in Competitive NAICS: Where to Bid Now (No Set-Asides Required)
In our earlier post, we spotlighted ten NAICS codes with the highest average number of bids per solicitation—places where government procurement is booming and competition is fierce. These are areas where buyers are spending and contractors are hustling to win. While crowded, they also represent massive federal contracting opportunities.
AI Education Executive Order: What It Means for Contractors and Small Businesses
Big news from Washington: On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at massively expanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) education across the U.S. K-12 and postsecondary systems. The move isn't just about coding classes—it’s about building a full ecosystem of AI literacy for students, teachers, and lifelong learners. And if you’re a government contractor or small business, especially those offering training, technology, or workforce solutions, this could open new doors.
NIH’s New Civil Rights Clause Just Raised the Stakes for Grant Recipients
This isn’t just a tweak to fine print. It’s a firm line in the sand on civil rights compliance, DEI programs, and geopolitical boycotts—with your NIH funding hanging in the balance.
When DIU Came to Town: How Austin Became a Defense Innovation Hotspot
In 2016, something big quietly reshaped Austin’s future — and it wasn’t just another tech startup or music festival. The Department of Defense (DoD) launched a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) outpost right in the heart of the city at Capital Factory, and the ripple effects have been anything but subtle.
What $3B in Cancellations Really Means for Your Business
This $3 billion disruption isn’t a fluke—it may be the first wave in a broader rollback of discretionary education funding. For contractors, the message is clear: agility isn’t optional—it’s survival.
Major Changes in GSA’s MAS Solicitation Refresh 0026 (April 2025)
The General Services Administration (GSA) has released Refresh 0026 to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Solicitation 47QSMD20R0001. This update introduces several important clause changes, new category structures, SIN retirements, and enhanced sustainability initiatives you should be aware of.
The Most Competitive Federal Contracting NAICS Codes of 2024 (and How Small Businesses Can Still Win)
Federal contracting can feel like a crowded race, especially for small businesses trying to break in. Some contract opportunities get swarmed with bids, while others fly under the radar. Using fresh Fiscal Year 2024 data, our team has analyzed which NAICS codes to see the fiercest competition (measured by the number of offers per solicitation) and which might offer small firms a better shot. Knowing where the crowd is (and isn’t) helps you strategize which opportunities to chase.
Few Bids, Big Wins: 10 NAICS Codes with Shockingly Little Competition
What if you could bid on a government contract and be the only bidder? For small businesses in the know, FY 2024 data reveals exactly that kind of opportunity.