USFCR Blog

'Buy American' in 2025: Your 65% Compliance Checklist and Supply Chain Playbook.

Apr 23, 2025 1:16:53 PM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Federal Spending

The federal government is raising the bar again. Starting in 2025, all manufactured products and construction materials used in federally funded projects must meet a 65 percent domestic content requirement under the Buy American Act. This rule runs through 2028 and rises to 75 percent in 2029. If you're not auditing your supply chain now, you're risking more than a missed bid; you could be disqualified before you even get started.

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.

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.

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)

Pricing under a GSA Schedule isn’t just about winning bids—it’s about protecting your bottom line while staying within the rules. Your GSA rates need to be competitive, but they also need to be compliant. If you don’t understand how GSA views your pricing, you could end up with rates that are unworkable, subject to mandatory reductions, or flagged during an audit. That’s why a strong GSA pricing strategy is more than just a number—it’s a defense plan.

How COTS Items Make Buy American Compliance Easy

Mar 24, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in USFCR Academy, Guides, Federal Spending

When businesses new to federal contracting hear terms like "Commercially Available Off-the-Shelf (COTS) items," they often think it's just more jargon to memorize. But understanding COTS can actually simplify your entire entry into federal markets, helping you cut through red tape faster.

Understanding Cost-Reimbursement Contracts in Federal Procurement

Mar 21, 2025 9:53:44 AM / by USFCR posted in USFCR Academy, News, Federal Spending

Imagine taking on a government contract without the risk of losing money on unexpected costs. Cost-reimbursement contracts make this possible by covering your expenses—plus a profit—while you focus on delivering results.

For small businesses, these contracts offer a safety net for unpredictable projects. But to take advantage of them, you need to understand the rules, the risks, and the right strategies to maximize profitability.

Tapping into New Markets: Federal Contracting Opportunities in Local Preparedness Programs

Mar 21, 2025 9:50:40 AM / by USFCR posted in News, Federal Spending

The federal government is shifting its focus to state and local preparedness, creating new opportunities for businesses in federal contracting. With an emphasis on risk-informed decision-making and empowering local entities, this policy shift opens doors for contractors who provide infrastructure solutions, emergency management support, cybersecurity services, and public health preparedness resources.

Why State and Local Preparedness Matters

How Small Businesses Can Win and Manage Time-and-Materials Contracts

Mar 19, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in News, Federal Spending

Time-and-Materials (T&M) contracts provide flexibility for both contractors and government agencies, making them a common choice for projects with uncertain scopes or shifting requirements. Instead of a fixed price, these contracts compensate businesses based on actual labor hours worked and material costs incurred.

Incentive Contracts: When the Government Pays for Performance

Mar 18, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Federal Spending

Incentive contracts are designed to reward contractors for meeting or exceeding performance goals. These agreements motivate businesses to control costs, deliver high-quality work, or complete projects ahead of schedule. Unlike fixed-price contracts, incentive contracts adjust compensation based on results, offering small businesses a chance to increase profitability through efficiency and innovation.

Government agencies use incentive contracts when they need flexibility and strong contractor performance, making them common in defense, IT, and infrastructure projects.

How Small Businesses Can Profit from Firm-Fixed-Price Government Contracts

Mar 17, 2025 3:32:04 PM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Federal Spending

Winning a government contract can be a major opportunity for small businesses, but understanding contract types is key to success. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts are one of the most common government contract types, offering a set payment amount that doesn’t change, no matter the contractor’s actual costs.