DOL’s July Outreach Session Could Be a Game-Changer for Small GovCon Firms
If you’re a small business eyeing federal contracting work, especially with the Department of Labor (DOL), clear your calendar for July 16. That’s when DOL’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) is hosting its next virtual Vendor Outreach Session—a low-barrier, high-opportunity event that could set your BD pipeline on fire.
Congress Is Making Moves: Here’s What 8 Key Bills Could Mean for Small GovCon Players
If you’re a small business contractor, the House of Representatives just served you a mixed plate of promise and pressure. Eight new bills focused on federal contracting for small businesses are working their way through Congress, and together they represent one of the most significant waves of proposed changes in recent memory. Whether you’re pursuing 8a contracts services, women owned small business certification, or trying to land your first prime award, these proposals could reshape how you compete—and who your competition is.
The Rule of Two May Be on the Chopping Block—Here’s What Small Contractors Need to Know
In a June 2025 update, legal powerhouse PilieroMazza dropped a bombshell that every small federal contractor should be paying attention to: the FAR Council is weighing a rollback of the long-standing “Rule of Two.” This foundational policy requires agencies to set aside contracts for small businesses when at least two qualified firms can bid at a fair market price. If the rollback proceeds, it could dramatically reduce the number of set-aside opportunities in the federal marketplace.
Congress Is Rethinking Small Business Contracting. Here’s What You Need to Know
A cluster of bills moving through Congress in 2025 could seriously reshape the landscape for small businesses in federal contracting. From more accountability in women-owned awards to restoring set-aside protections and expanding 8(a) construction access, these proposals aren’t just policy tweaks—they could redefine who gets a fair shot at the $700+ billion federal marketplace.
Maryland’s $67B Modernization Push: What It Means for Local Government Contractors
Maryland’s FY2026 budget isn’t just about plugging a $3.3 billion deficit—it’s also about transforming how the state operates. And if you’re a small business owner in Maryland with your eye on government contracting opportunities, now is the time to lean in.
GSA’s OneGov Strategy Just Changed the Game for Small IT Resellers
If you’re a small business VAR or IT integrator with federal contracts, the GSA’s new OneGov initiative should be on your radar—right now. This isn’t just another policy tweak. It’s a fundamental shake-up of how federal agencies will buy software and IT services moving forward, and the implications for small business resellers are huge.
Texas Contractors Are Feeling the Heat: $863M in Cuts and What Comes Next
Federal budget politics just got real for small businesses in Texas. In the first half of 2025, more than $860 million in federal contracts and grants across the state have been canceled, and the ripple effects are already hammering local contractors—especially in San Antonio. If you're a small or disadvantaged business in the government procurement space, this is more than just a headline. It’s a wake-up call.
SBA’s Contracting Assistance Programs: What Every Small Business Needs to Know in 2025
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow through federal contracting, here’s the blunt truth: you’re leaving money on the table without an SBA certification. The federal government awarded over $176 billion to small businesses last year—and more than a third of that came through set-aside programs. Whether you’re a woman-owned business, located in a HUBZone, led by a disabled veteran, or socially disadvantaged, the right certification can turn a door into a pipeline.
Budget Cuts, Big Risks: What Michigan’s K–12 Shake-Up Means for School Vendors
Michigan’s proposed 2025 K–12 education budget is making waves—and not in a good way for small business vendors. While lawmakers are increasing the per-pupil base to $10,025, they’re simultaneously gutting the very funding streams that support non-instructional service providers. Universal free school meals? Zeroed out. After-school programs? Slashed. DEI training and support services? Not only defunded but penalized.
The DBE Program Faces a Courtroom Crossroads — What Contractors Need to Know Now
Big news is shaking up the world of federal transportation contracting — and if your business is DBE-certified, it’s time to take this seriously. In a major legal pivot, the Justice Department has moved to dismantle the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, a long-standing federal initiative that’s helped minority- and women-owned businesses secure billions in transportation contracts. The implications are immediate, far-reaching, and potentially precedent-setting for every firm navigating government procurement.
When the Grant Well Dries Up: How SMBs in Texas and Michigan Can Bounce Back
It’s the kind of news no small business wants to wake up to: the grant you were counting on just got paused, defunded, or outright canceled. That’s exactly what’s happened to dozens of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in Texas and Michigan this year, where political shifts and federal budget freezes have gutted DEI, clean energy, and workforce-related funding.
Who’s Got Your Back? The Most Small-Business-Friendly Federal Agencies in FY2025
If you’re a small business chasing federal contracting dollars, it pays—literally—to know which agencies are most likely to award you a contract. Spoiler: not all federal buyers are created equal. Some go out of their way to engage and support small businesses through targeted set-asides, outreach, and accessible contracts. Others? Not so much.
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.
Prime vs. Sub: Which Federal Contracting Role is Right for Your Small Business?
If you’re trying to break into or scale up in the federal contracting world, there’s a pivotal question you’ve likely faced: Should you go after contracts as a prime or team up as a subcontractor? The answer can shape your entire growth path—and what you’re risking along the way.
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.
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.
The Email You Should Be Sending Every Week to Contracting Officers (But Probably Aren’t)
If you’re a small business trying to win more federal contracts, here’s a truth that’ll save you time and bring in opportunities: most contractors are silent between bids. They show up when the RFP drops, attach their SAM profile like a badge of honor, and cross their fingers. But the real players? They’re showing up every week, keeping contracting officers (COs) warm with just enough value, relevance, and persistence.
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.