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Small Business Boom: The Fastest-Growing NAICS Codes in Federal Contracting — and How to Win in Them
Federal small-business contracting has been on a tear, growing from about $154 billion in FY2021 to over $183 billion in FY2024. Small firms are now landing roughly 28% of eligible prime contract dollars — well above the statutory 23% goal. That’s not just a nice statistic; it’s a signal that agencies are deliberately shifting more work to small businesses, particularly in certain NAICS codes where demand is exploding.
Top 10 Agencies in FY2025 Small-Business Contracting — and What It Means for You
The federal government is once again on track to blow past its small-business contracting goals in FY2025, with year-to-date spending already pointing toward a record high. The latest analysis of FPDS and USAspending data through August 11, 2025, reveals the ten agencies driving most of this momentum. If you’re in the government contracting business — or want to be — this list should guide your capture strategy for the rest of the year and into FY2026.
FAR Overhaul & Mandatory EFT Payments: Two Federal Contracting Shifts You Can’t Ignore
If you’re a federal contractor—or trying to become one—two big changes just landed on your plate: the long-awaited Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul and a new mandate requiring all federal payments to move to electronic funds transfer (EFT) by September 30, 2025. Neither is optional, and both will impact how you win contracts, get paid, and keep your business in compliance.
GSA’s Procurement Power Grab: What Small Contractors Need to Know Now
Something big just happened in federal procurement—and if you’re a small business, you can’t afford to ignore it. The General Services Administration (GSA) just finalized a major expansion of its consolidated procurement authority, backed by new laws, executive orders, and upcoming changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). In plain English: GSA is becoming the government’s central buyer, and if you’re not on a GSA contract, your access to government work could shrink—fast.
CMMC Deadline Is Real This Time: Why Small DoD Contractors Can’t Afford to Wait
The Department of Defense just put every contractor on notice: by October 1, 2025, cybersecurity compliance won’t just be “on the horizon”—it will be baked into nearly every new DoD contract. DFARS 252.204-7021 makes it official: no CMMC certification, no award. And for small businesses? That’s a game-changer with real consequences.
SBA’s Full-Scale 8(a) Program Audit: What It Means for Small Contractors Right Now
In a dramatic move that’s sending shockwaves through the federal contracting world, the SBA has ordered a full-scale, nationwide audit of the 8(a) Business Development Program. This isn’t a routine compliance check—it's a sweeping investigation triggered by a major bribery and fraud scandal involving over $550 million in rigged contracts. If your small business holds 8(a) certification, is applying, or even just partnering with 8(a) firms, this matters. A lot.
Federal Layoffs Are Hitting Northern Virginia Hard—Here’s How Contractors Can Pivot and Thrive
If you’ve been feeling the tremors from the federal downsizing earthquake in Northern Virginia, you’re not alone. Over 11,000 federal jobs have already been eliminated in Virginia this year under the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative. And with even more cuts likely, small businesses and government contractors in the region are facing a new reality: fewer federal buyers, delayed contract awards, and a local economy in flux.
Streamlined Army Acquisition Is a Game-Changer for Small Contractors—If You’re Ready to Move Fast
The U.S. Army is rewriting the rules of the game—literally. In 2025, Army Futures Command (AFC) rolled out a radical shift in how it defines and buys new technology. Instead of bogging vendors down in technical checklists, AFC is now asking for solutions to big, open-ended problems. For small businesses and non-traditional vendors, this is one of the biggest federal contracting opportunities in years—but only if you’re ready to adapt fast.
CATAPULT: NAVWAR’s Secret Weapon for Fast-Tracking SBIR Tech (and How Small Businesses Can Get In)
Small businesses with promising tech should pay close attention to a Navy program that’s quietly changing the SBIR game. NAVWAR’s CATAPULT platform is making it faster — and far more likely — for innovative startups to leap from Phase II R&D to real Navy contracts. For companies in the federal contracting space, especially those eyeing 8a contracts services or SBIR Grant Assistance, this could be a golden opportunity hiding in plain sight.
Feds Using AI to Trim Budgets: Small Businesses Must Adapt to Data-Driven Procurement
Federal agencies are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to cut costs, evaluate contracts faster, and modernize procurement—and if you’re a small or mid-sized business (SMB) chasing federal dollars, you’ll need to adapt fast.
Pentagon’s Cloud Strategy Just Opened the Door for Small GovCon Tech Firms
Big news for small IT contractors: the Department of Defense is officially reworking its cloud procurement strategy—again. But this time, it’s not just about consolidation or modernization. It’s about opening the door wider to nontraditional vendors, including the kind of agile, niche, and security-cleared small businesses that have long been shut out of major cloud awards.
FY2024 Was a Banner Year for Small Business Contracting—Here’s How to Ride the Wave Into FY2025
The federal government just dropped its FY2024 small business contracting stats—and they’re more than impressive. With over $183 billion in prime contracts awarded to small firms, this marks the fourth straight year the government has blown past its 23% goal, hitting a new high of 28.8%. If you’re a small business eyeing the federal marketplace, this is your sign: the door’s wide open.
The U.S. Army’s Cross-Functional Teams Explained: How 8 Teams Are Revolutionizing Military Technology
Discover how the U.S. Army's 8 Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs) are accelerating modernization and reshaping the future of military technology through rapid innovation and integrated capabilities.
Streamlined Army Acquisition Is a Game-Changer for Small Contractors—If You’re Ready to Move Fast
The U.S. Army is rewriting the rules of the game—literally. In 2025, Army Futures Command (AFC) rolled out a radical shift in how it defines and buys new technology. Instead of bogging vendors down in technical checklists, AFC is now asking for solutions to big, open-ended problems. For small businesses and non-traditional vendors, this is one of the biggest federal contracting opportunities in years—but only if you’re ready to adapt fast.
ITAR Just Got Real: Why Cybersecurity Compliance Can Make or Break Your GovCon Business
If you're a small government contractor working with defense-related tech, there's a silent compliance killer that could tank your contracts overnight: ITAR. We cut through the noise and make one thing clear—export-controlled data is no longer a “back-burner” issue. It’s front and center in 2025.
SBA’s New SBS Platform Just Rewrote the Rulebook for Small Contractors
The U.S. Small Business Administration just launched a major update to how government buyers find small business vendors — and if your company relies on being seen for set-asides or subcontracting work, this one matters. The new Small Business Search (SBS) platform, which officially replaced the old Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) in July 2025, is more than a facelift. It’s a full rebuild, and your visibility in the federal marketplace depends on how well you adapt to it.
Inside the Marine Corps’ $17M Sole-Source Contract—and What Small Businesses Should Learn from It
On July 14, 2025, the U.S. Marine Corps handed out a $17 million sole-source contract to Ternion Corporation—and small businesses in the federal contracting space should pay attention. This contract isn’t just another high-value DoD deal—it’s a crystal-clear example of how sole-source awards operate, why certain vendors win them, and how small businesses can position themselves to benefit despite the odds.
SBA’s Non-Manufacturer Rule Gets a Major Overhaul—Here’s What Small Businesses Must Know
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just dropped a major update that every product reseller, distributor, and VAR in federal contracting needs to have on their radar. As of July 14, 2025, the SBA clarified the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR), tightening the screws on who can qualify for set-aside supply contracts—and when. If you supply goods to the federal government, especially under programs like 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB, this is going to impact how you bid, win, and stay compliant.
The SBA’s 2025 Non-Manufacturer Rule Update: What Every Small Business Reseller Needs to Know
The Small Business Administration (SBA) just dropped a major clarification on the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR), and it’s a big deal for anyone selling products in the federal market. If you’re a small business—especially if you’re chasing 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or general set-aside supply contracts—this update spells out exactly when you need to comply, when you need a waiver, and what could get you disqualified. Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and competitive.
FAST Grants Get a Data Overhaul—Here’s What That Means for Small Business Innovators
Big changes are coming to a critical program that helps small businesses tap into federal innovation funding. On July 14, 2025, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced new reporting requirements for its Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program—and while this may seem like paperwork for grant recipients, it could have ripple effects across the entire small business innovation ecosystem.