Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and winter storms are becoming more frequent, intense, and expensive. Climate change is leading to more extreme weather, aging infrastructure struggles to withstand disasters, and population growth in high-risk areas means more damage when disaster strikes.
The numbers don’t lie. In the 1980s, the U.S. spent around $18 billion annually on disaster recovery. By the 2010s, that number had jumped to $81 billion per year—with individual disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey surpassing $100 billion each. And the trend isn’t slowing down.
For many businesses, the introduction of OASIS+ represents a significant shift in the way federal contracts are awarded. If your company provides professional services in engineering, IT, management consulting, or R&D, understanding how to qualify and compete under this new contract vehicle is key to securing long-term federal contracts. With OASIS+ fully replacing the original OASIS program, now is the time to prepare for success in federal contracting.
Each year, the federal government aims to reserve approximately 23% of its contracting budget specifically for small businesses. These opportunities, known as federal set-asides, allow various types of small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace. But what exactly are set-asides, and how can your business qualify?
Federal set-asides refer to the percentage of federal spending reserved for small businesses, ensuring fair competition and participation. The federal government offers set-aside categories based on business types, allowing small businesses with diverse backgrounds and capabilities to qualify. Below, we’ll explain the key federal set-asides and the qualifications required.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is a huge component of federal procurement, managing billions in government spending across contracts, technology, and real estate. Recent leadership changes at GSA could significantly shift how the agency operates, affecting everything from acquisition strategies to contractor relationships. Understanding these changes is essential for businesses looking to maintain or expand their footprint in the federal marketplace.
The month of February has been recognized as Black History Month since 1976, and USFCR has maintained a proud partnership with organizations, such as the National Black Chamber of Commerce, to help the African American community. Today, USFCR gives special attention to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). NAACP Day, which falls every February 12, celebrates the organization’s 1909 founding by a diverse group of legal experts, suffragists, civil rights activists, labor reformers, and others who sought to counter violence and racism against the Black community in the United States. [1] Dedicated to the goal of an integrated society, the NAACP stands as the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. [2] From its conception in the early 20th century to its work present day, the NAACP continues to work towards the betterment of the African American community.
The Federal Market is Changing—Are You Ready?
Every year, government spending priorities shift, reshaping the federal contracting landscape. Whether budget cuts or new funding allocations, the results are the same—agencies must continue operations, often with fewer internal resources. To bridge the gap, they turn to private contractors. Businesses that position themselves correctly secure more contracts, while those who wait risk missing out.
Winning federal contracts takes more than just paperwork. You need to get in the room with the people who influence awards. Contracting officers, program managers, and primes want to work with vendors they trust. The fastest way to build that trust is by showing up—at the right events.
When you attend federal contracting conferences, you get to:
Talk directly with decision-makers at agencies who are actively sourcing vendors
Learn what’s coming down the pipeline before it hits SAM
Build relationships with primes looking for qualified subcontractors
If you’re serious about winning contracts in 2025, these events aren’t optional. They’re strategic. You walk away with market intelligence, introductions, and a sharper edge over your competition.
2025 Federal Contracting Events You Shouldn't Miss
Below are a few of the most relevant and high-impact events still coming up this year. We’ve chosen these based on search trends, industry relevance, and government buyer attendance.
✔ Government Procurement Conference – April 16, Washington, DC
Best for: Small businesses, HUBZone firms, SDVOSBs, and WOSBs
Why attend? This is one of the largest and most active small business contracting events in the country. You’ll find buyers from dozens of federal agencies, direct matchmaking, and panels on procurement strategy.
✔ RSA Conference – April 28 to May 1, San Francisco, CA
Best for: Cybersecurity, cloud, software, and IT vendors
Why attend? Agencies like DHS, DoD, and GSA are increasing investments in cyber resilience. If your business touches tech or data protection, this is where you learn what they’ll buy and who’s buying.
✔ Clean Power Expo – May 19 to 22, Phoenix, AZ
Best for: Energy, engineering, and environmental contractors
Why attend? Billions in federal funding are flowing into renewable energy. This is where you meet project managers and primes building the future grid.
✔ TechConnect World – June 9 to 10, Austin, TX
Best for: R&D firms, innovators, and SBIR/STTR applicants
Why attend? DOD, DOE, DHS, and NASA attend specifically to find new partners. If you’re developing anything cutting edge, this is where you get noticed.
✔ World Congress 2025 – July 13 to 16, Grapevine, TX
Best for: Acquisition professionals, BD leaders, and compliance teams
Why attend? It’s the largest training event for federal procurement. Agencies and industry come together to shape how contracting is evolving. If you sell into procurement offices, you should be there.
✔ American Small Business Contracting Summit – July 22, Washington, DC
Best for: Small businesses ready to scale
Why attend? Connect face-to-face with contracting officers and program leads from federal agencies. These are the people awarding contracts now.
✔ Navy & Marine Corps Procurement Conference – July 29 to 30, Norfolk, VA
Best for: Defense contractors in logistics, facility support, shipbuilding, and IT
Why attend? Meet the buyers and program managers responsible for keeping bases and operations running. A must-attend for anyone in the DoD supply chain.
Plan Now to Win More in 2025
Showing up to an event is one thing. Turning that handshake into a contract is another. If you want to get results, you need a plan.
These events give you access. But it’s how you prepare and follow through that wins contracts.
📅 Ready to take the next step? Download the 2025 Federal Contracting Events Calendar to access the full list of high-impact conferences, expos, and matchmakers happening through the end of the year.
This is your moment to meet the right people, ask the right questions, and put your business in the right place at the right time.
Winning federal contracts isn’t just about submitting bids—it’s about knowing how to position your business for success. From SAM registration to bid preparation, the right contracting support makes all the difference. However, not all service providers offer the same level of expertise, resources, or long-term guidance.
