USFCR Blog

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.

New to Government Contracting? Master Market Research to Boost Your Chances

Mar 11, 2025 9:21:53 AM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Federal Spending

If you're a small business owner stepping into federal contracting, understanding how government agencies conduct market research can significantly boost your odds of winning your first federal contract.

What is Market Research, Anyway?

In simple terms, market research is how federal agencies find businesses like yours. Agencies must check out the market before they start buying. This research helps them figure out what's available, who can supply it, and what the typical costs are.

Avoid Payment Delays: How FedMail Keeps Federal Contractors Paid on Time

Mar 7, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Federal Spending

Avoid Payment Delays: How FedMail Keeps Federal Contractors Paid on Time

Securing a federal contract is a big win—until payment delays start messing with your cash flow and project timelines. FedMail, a key part of the federal payment system, plays a behind-the-scenes role in making sure your money moves smoothly from the government to your bank account. But if something goes wrong on your end, you could be waiting longer than expected. Here’s what you need to know to keep the funds flowing.

Navigating Federal Contract Delays Amid RTO Policies

Jan 28, 2025 11:11:00 AM / by USFCR posted in News, Federal Spending

Recent reports suggest that some federal agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), may be experiencing delays in processing contract modifications and obligations. These slowdowns have raised concerns across the contracting community, particularly for contractors with upcoming renewals or active projects.

How the Incoming Administration’s Policies Could Transform Federal Contracting in 2025

Nov 15, 2024 2:38:24 PM / by USFCR posted in Guides, News, Federal Spending

With a new presidential administration set to take office, federal contractors are poised on the brink of significant changes in policy that could reshape the landscape of federal procurement. From plans to reduce regulatory burdens to strengthening the Buy American initiative and enhancing supply chain security, these shifts may present both opportunities and challenges. This article explores how these anticipated policies might impact contractors and offers strategies to align with these changes effectively.