USFCR Blog

How Small Businesses Can Win and Manage Commercial Item Contracts

Apr 17, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in News, Federal Spending

Government agencies often purchase goods and services from the same marketplace as private-sector businesses. Commercial item contracts simplify the process, allowing small businesses to sell their standard products to federal buyers with minimal modifications.

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Don’t Let April Slip Away: Get Set for Summer Contracts

Apr 15, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in News, Federal Spending

Why April Matters in Federal Contracting

Federal agencies don't wait for June to start spending. By the time summer hits, most buyers already have their budgets planned and vendors shortlisted. April is when the planning happens. It’s when buyers clear out Q1 backlogs, prepare their summer acquisition schedules, and move funds to priority projects.

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Understanding Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts

Apr 14, 2025 9:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in News, cmmc

A Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract reimburses a contractor for allowable costs incurred during a project and provides a fixed fee for profit. Unlike Firm-Fixed-Price contracts, where contractors assume the risk of cost overruns, CPFF contracts protect businesses from financial loss while still ensuring a reasonable return.

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Elevate 2025: One Day to Refocus, Regroup, and Grow

Apr 11, 2025 10:04:40 AM / by USFCR posted in News

June 5, 2025 | Clearwater, FL | Hosted by USFCR

Why this event matters:
Federal and commercial business growth is rarely a straight path. Most small businesses hit a point where they need better processes, smarter strategies, or just the right connection to move forward. That’s where Elevate 2025 comes in.

This one-day growth summit is designed for business owners, executives, and federal contractors who are ready to take focused action. You’ll get real strategies from professionals who’ve done the work, and you’ll leave with practical tools you can actually use.

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Teaming vs. Subcontracting: What Every Contractor Should Know

Apr 11, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in USFCR Academy, Guides

If you're in federal contracting, teaming up might be your ticket in—but only if you understand the rules of the game.

Many small businesses confuse teaming agreements with subcontracting. They both involve working with other companies. They both can help you win more contracts. But they’re not the same—and mixing them up can cost you opportunities or worse, land you in compliance trouble.

Let’s break it down.

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USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Allocates Funds for FY26 Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs

Apr 9, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by Mari Crocitto posted in USFCR Academy, Hot Grants, Grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has recently launched four programs to help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally. This action follows U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins’ latest announcement to visit six international markets—Brazil, India, Japan, Peru, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom—to boost American agricultural exports and expand markets for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers.

Be aware that the application deadline for all four programs is June 6, 2025. Applicants can submit questions to the agency's point of contact for all four programs until May 30, 2025.

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Pualei Farm Wins Agriculture Grant with USFCR’s Support

Apr 3, 2025 10:03:28 AM / by Daniel Cavins posted in Hot Grants, Grants

US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) is proud to announce its role in assisting Pualei Farm in securing a $30,000 grant from the Maui Department of Agriculture. The funding will enable Pualei Farm to transform its operations into a fully sustainable backyard farm powered by solar energy to benefit the Molokai community. This shift to renewable energy will also support the farm’s mission of providing free educational programs on backyard farming and sustainability practices to the local community.

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GSA Pricing Strategy: How to Set Profitable and Compliant Rates

Apr 1, 2025 12:00:00 PM / by USFCR posted in General Services Administration (GSA), Guides, Federal Spending

How to Price Your GSA Schedule in 2025 (Without Losing Your Profit Margin)

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Supporting Survivors, Securing Funding: Grants for Organizations Helping Domestic Violence Victims

Apr 1, 2025 7:30:00 AM / by Mari Crocitto posted in Hot Grants, Grants

April brings attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual campaign created by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) to educate the public on sexual violence and how to prevent it. USFCR has gathered a list of select funding opportunities for organizations that assist those suffering or healing from domestic violence. Our team of grant consultants is here to assist organizations in the preparation of any of the following grant applications.

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Grants vs. Loans: Understanding the Differences and the Myth of 'Free Money'

Mar 28, 2025 1:08:38 PM / by Isaiah Haddon posted in USFCR Academy, Hot Grants, Grants

Proper funding is always an important goal of any organization, with grants and loans being two popular sources of funding. Understanding the difference between grants and loans is crucial to leveraging them to your organization’s benefit.

The main difference between a grant and a loan is repayment. Grants are typically funds provided by government bodies, foundations, or corporations that do not require repayment, while loans do.However, this doesn’t mean there are no costs associated with grants. Some people think of grants as "free money,” but that can be a misleading thought process.

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