USFCR Blog

USFCR Highlighting Military Appreciation Month

May 1, 2025 7:00:00 AM / by Mari Crocitto posted in Guides, News, Hot Grants

The month of May highlights Military Appreciation Month, which plays a crucial role in fostering an awareness and understanding of the challenges service members, veterans, and their families face. [1] Military Appreciation Month celebrates a few of the following observance days:

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'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.

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Landscaping Contracts with the Federal Government: How Tree Services Can Compete in 2025

Apr 23, 2025 7:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in Guides, Industry-Specific Contracting

Billions in Maintenance Contracts Are Available. Is Your Business Ready to Bid?

If your business offers tree care, lawn services, or landscaping, you might be missing a major revenue stream. The federal government spends billions every year maintaining outdoor spaces, and most of that work falls under NAICS Code 561730. These contracts cover everything from tree removal and mowing to erosion control and fire mitigation. And many are reserved for small businesses.

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Beginner’s Guide to Government Construction Projects

Apr 21, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in USFCR Academy, Guides, Industry-Specific Contracting

If you’ve been in construction for years, you already know how to manage crews, estimate jobs, and deliver results. However, when it comes to federal contracting, it might feel like a completely different world. That’s normal. Plenty of experienced business owners run into that same feeling.

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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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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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How to Win Federal Infrastructure and Construction Contracts

Mar 25, 2025 8:00:00 AM / by USFCR posted in Guides, News, Industry-Specific Contracting

The U.S. government consistently funds large-scale infrastructure and construction projects, providing billions in contract opportunities for businesses of all sizes. While some agencies face budget adjustments, federal construction remains a priority, especially with projects tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and sustainability initiatives.

Federal contracts present an opportunity for stable, long-term work for small and mid-sized contractors. However, understanding the contracting process, positioning your business effectively, and identifying the right opportunities are key to success.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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