Most government contracts take time to process, but some situations require businesses to start work immediately—even before the final contract is ready. That’s where letter contracts come in. These preliminary agreements authorize contractors to begin working while the full terms are still being negotiated.
Sealed bidding is one of the most structured and competitive methods used by federal agencies to award contracts. It’s designed to ensure a fair process where the lowest-priced, compliant bid wins. While it sounds simple, mastering sealed bidding requires precision, compliance, and an understanding of the process from start to finish.
This Earth Day, nonprofits dedicated to environmental conservation have the chance to access vital funding to further their impactful work. Grants aimed at protecting the environment are available across the country, supporting efforts to preserve natural resources and promote green initiatives. See below to explore environmental funding opportunities by state or region.
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.
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.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has recently launched four programs to help U.S. agricultural producers promote and sell their goods internationally. This action follows U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins’ latest announcement to visit six international markets—Brazil, India, Japan, Peru, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom—to boost American agricultural exports and expand markets for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers.
Be aware that the application deadline for all four programs is June 6, 2025. Applicants can submit questions to the agency's point of contact for all four programs until May 30, 2025.
Proper funding is always an important goal of any organization, with grants and loans being two popular sources of funding. Understanding the difference between grants and loans is crucial to leveraging them to your organization’s benefit.
The main difference between a grant and a loan is repayment. Grants are typically funds provided by government bodies, foundations, or corporations that do not require repayment, while loans do.However, this doesn’t mean there are no costs associated with grants. Some people think of grants as "free money,” but that can be a misleading thought process.
Understanding the Importance of Site Visits
Federal contracting can be highly competitive, and one of the most overlooked strategies for success is attending site visits. A site visit is your opportunity to walk the grounds, meet the project manager, and see firsthand what the job requires. Skipping it might save time in the short term, but it could cost you the contract in the long run.
Think of it this way: would you build a house without ever seeing the lot? Probably not. The same principle applies to federal contracts. A thorough site visit gives you insights that just aren’t possible through documents and specifications alone.
Cybersecurity threats are on the rise, and the Federal Government is paying attention. To protect sensitive data within the defense supply chain, the Department of Defense (DoD) created the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). For contractors looking to secure or maintain government contracts, getting CMMC certified isn't just a recommendation—it’s a must.
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.
