USFCR Blog

Carson Corda joined US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) in March 2025, bringing entrepreneurial experience and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow. Originally from Broomfield, Colorado, Carson moved to Clearwater, Florida, in December 2020, trading mountain views for beach access and building his career in the sunshine state.

The federal government is actively working to award contracts to businesses in historically underutilized areas, and your business location could be your competitive advantage. The HUBZone program represents approximately $23 billion in annual contracting opportunities, with agencies increasingly focused on meeting their 3% spending goals.

October 1, 2025, Shutdown Update: USFCR continues monitoring contractor impacts. Confirmed operational: SAM systems remain functional with limited support staff. Confirmed disrupted: Federal Service Desk for UEI assignments, Census Bureau NAICS lookup system.

Contractor workarounds verified effective: Alternative NAICS lookup via naicscode.com, direct contracting officer communication for urgent matters, existing contract work continuation based on essential/non-essential classification.

Right now in 2025, smart federal contractors are preparing for potential government shutdowns while their competitors hope for the best. Here's what most people get wrong: shutdowns aren't just political theater that might affect you. They're predictable business disruptions that create both risks and opportunities for contractors who know how to respond.

If your business recently received a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract award, this announcement directly impacts your next steps. GSA has issued critical guidance that could save you significant time and prevent duplicative work during your catalog setup process.

The West Expeditionary Mission Assurance Contract (WEXMAC 2.1) is one of the largest worldwide contracting opportunities in recent years. This multi-billion-dollar IDIQ covers logistics, construction, medical, communications, and security services and provides full-spectrum expeditionary mission support.

The Department of War has issued the final DFARS rule implementing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). It was published on September 10, 2025, and will take effect on November 10, 2025. On that date, contracting officers can begin including new DFARS clauses in solicitations and contracts, formally tying cybersecurity compliance to eligibility for defense awards.

The Shift Agencies Won’t Say Out Loud
Right now, federal agencies are quietly rethinking how they deliver mission-critical services. It’s not just about buying better software or upgrading IT systems. The real shift is toward systematizing and industrializing entire service functions that have historically been managed in-house or awarded through one-off contracts.

Manufacturing-related federal contracts are on the rise following the White House’s recent Made in America Agenda announcement. This presidential action outlines new steps to boost domestic production and expand U.S.-based supply chains, creating fresh opportunities for manufacturers across multiple industries.

You can’t charm your way to a government contract in 2025, and that’s a good thing. Awards aren’t decided over coffee or based on who knows whom. Instead, they’re determined by merit, skills, and the ability to meet the requirements better than anyone else. That levels the playing field. Now, if you can prove to the right people that you’re reliable, compliant, and ready to deliver, you can compete head-to-head with larger, more established vendors.

In 2025, personal rapport with a contracting officer isn’t the ticket to a win. KOs are bound by strict regulations, protests are at an all-time high, and procurement integrity rules are enforced aggressively. In fact, the appearance of favoritism can remove you from a competition.

Federal agencies are set to spend over $3.3 billion on artificial intelligence in FY 2025, according to NITRD reporting. But most contractors still struggle to position themselves for this opportunity. It's not just about having a tool that works. Agencies want vendors who can meet mission goals with secure, ready-to-deploy solutions.