Blog / page 2
Field notes from the hunt.
28 articles, newest first
Finding RFPsMay 26, 2026Where Do Cities Post RFPs? The 6 Places to Check
City RFPs are scattered across procurement platforms, city websites, legal notices, and purchasing co-ops. Here are the six places they actually appear and how to watch each one.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 4 min read
Winning WorkMay 23, 2026How Much Does It Cost to Bid on Government Contracts?
Registering to bid on government contracts is free. The real cost is your time, proposal labor, tools, and sometimes bonding. Here is the honest math.
Marcus Webb, Government Contracting Writer / 5 min read
Winning WorkMay 21, 2026RFP Response Timeline: A Day-by-Day Guide From Posting to Submission
How to run a 30-day RFP response without the final-week panic: a day-by-day timeline covering go/no-go, questions, drafting, review, and submission.
Marcus Webb, Government Contracting Writer / 4 min read
BasicsMay 19, 2026SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, 8(a): Which Set-Aside Certification Fits You?
A plain guide to the main federal set-aside certifications: SDVOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, HUBZone, and 8(a). Who qualifies, the benefit, and self-certify vs formal.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 5 min read
ComparisonsMay 17, 2026DemandStar vs BidNet Direct: Which Bid Network Fits Your Pipeline?
DemandStar and BidNet Direct are both agency posting networks with vendor subscriptions. How they differ on coverage, pricing, and alerts, and how to pick between them.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 4 min read
BasicsMay 14, 2026What Is 8(a) Certification and Is It Worth It?
8(a) certification is a 9-year SBA program for disadvantaged small businesses that unlocks sole-source federal contracts. Here is who it helps and who it does not.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 5 min read
Finding RFPsMay 12, 2026How to Find Local Government RFPs Before Everyone Else
Cities, counties, school districts, and special districts post RFPs in scattered, inconsistent places. A practical system for covering the local long tail.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 4 min read
Winning WorkMay 9, 2026How to Write a Winning RFP Response (With a Simple Template)
A winning RFP response mirrors the evaluation criteria, proves claims with specifics, and stays fully compliant. Here is a reusable template and the mistakes to avoid.
Marcus Webb, Government Contracting Writer / 6 min read
BasicsMay 7, 2026SAM.gov Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Vendors
Everything you need to register on SAM.gov: what the system is, the documents to gather, each registration step, common delays, and how to stay active once approved.
Priya Raman, Contributing Editor / 4 min read
BasicsMay 5, 2026How to Read an RFP: A Section-by-Section Breakdown
Reading an RFP well means working through six core sections in the right order: scope, evaluation criteria, submission rules, deadlines, terms, and pricing.
Priya Raman, Contributing Editor / 6 min read
Winning WorkMay 2, 2026How to Win Your First Government Contract: A Realistic Playbook
A realistic path from zero government experience to a first contract win: where to start, how to build past performance, and the mistakes that sink first-time bidders.
Marcus Webb, Government Contracting Writer / 4 min read
Finding RFPsApril 30, 2026Free Ways to Find Government RFPs (No Paid Tools)
Every free source for government RFPs: SAM.gov, Grants.gov, state portals, free aggregator tiers, and agency mailing lists, plus the honest time cost of doing it free.
Maya Chen, Procurement Analyst / 6 min read