Federal Contracting Guides

Learn how federal government contracting works, how to find opportunities, and how to read spending data. Data from USAspending.gov and the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), covering federal contracts across all 50 states; see our methodology.

How Government Contracts Work

A complete overview of the federal contracting process, from need identification to contract award and performance monitoring.

Understanding Contract Types

Learn the differences between fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, time-and-materials, and other federal contract types.

Small Business Set-Asides

How the SBA helps small businesses compete for federal contracts through set-aside programs and goals.

Finding Contract Opportunities

Where to find active federal contract solicitations using SAM.gov, agency forecast tools, and subcontracting databases.

Reading Federal Spending Data

How to interpret the spending data on PlainFedContract including obligations, budget authority, and award amounts.

Top Defense Contractors

An analysis of the largest defense contractors and how Department of Defense spending compares to civilian agencies.

NAICS Codes Explained

Understanding the North American Industry Classification System and how it determines which contracts you can bid on.

Methodology

Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.

We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.