USFCR Blog

​Winning a government contract isn’t just about submitting a strong bid—it’s about understanding who’s making the decisions. In the world of federal procurement, Contracting Officers (COs) hold the keys to government spending. Whether you're bidding on a small contract or a multi-million-dollar award, the CO determines whether your company gets the deal.

This article will break down the role of a Contracting Officer, how they impact federal contracting, and what businesses can do to work effectively with them.

Imagine waking up to discover that $1.4 billion had vanished overnight. That’s exactly what happened when North Korean state-sponsored hackers infiltrated Bybit, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. This wasn’t just another cyber attack—it was the largest digital heist in history.

For years, North Korea’s infamous Lazarus Group has targeted financial institutions, particularly cryptocurrency exchanges, as a way to bypass global sanctions and fund the country’s nuclear ambitions. While crypto heists have become an unfortunate reality, this one sets a new precedent—not only in scale but in how it is forcing governments worldwide to rethink cybersecurity.

Getting registered in SAM is an important first step in federal contracting, but it’s just that—the first step. Many businesses assume that once they’re in the system, contract opportunities will naturally follow. The reality is that federal contracting is competitive, and businesses that don’t take proactive steps after registration risk falling behind. Agencies prioritize vendors who stay engaged, update their profiles, and actively pursue opportunities.

What Are NAICS Codes?

Why GSA eLibrary Matters for Your Federal Contracting Strategy

For government contractors, visibility is everything. If federal buyers can’t find you, they won’t buy from you. That’s where GSA eLibrary comes in. It’s the official database of GSA Schedule contracts, allowing agencies to research pre-approved vendors, compare offerings, and initiate procurement.

But here’s the reality: many contractors don’t fully utilize GSA eLibrary to their advantage. Some businesses list their services but fail to optimize their profiles, missing out on key opportunities. Others are unaware of the full scope of data available, such as contract details, vendor contacts, and market trends. If used correctly, GSA eLibrary can be a game-changer, allowing businesses to pinpoint opportunities before competitors do.

The Disaster Expo USA, March 5 & 6th, is the premier event for professionals in disaster response, emergency preparedness, and resilience planning. Hosted in Miami, this expo gathers industry leaders, government agencies, and businesses specializing in disaster mitigation and recovery solutions. Attendees gain access to cutting-edge innovations, expert discussions, and networking opportunities that shape the future of disaster management.

What Is a Security Clearance?

“Wellness is a connection of paths: knowledge and action.”         

Why Disaster Spending Keeps Increasing

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.