Federal contract opportunities over the micro-purchase threshold are generally posted on SAM.gov. Grants live on Grants.gov. Past awards, which show who buys what and from whom, are public on USAspending. Good screening uses all three.
Know the sources
Understand what SAM.gov, Grants.gov and USAspending each tell you.
Read notices faster
Tell a sources sought from a presolicitation from a live solicitation.
Screen early
Drop poor fits before anyone reads a 120-page package.
Where federal opportunities are published
SAM.gov Contract Opportunities is the official place agencies post most federal procurement notices. Each notice carries a NAICS code, a set-aside type if one applies, a response deadline and attached documents.
Grants.gov lists federal grant and cooperative agreement opportunities. These follow different rules from contracts, but many small firms pursue both.
USAspending.gov shows awards that have already been made. It is history, not a list of open work, but it tells you which agencies buy your services, how much they spend and which companies currently hold the work.
What each notice type means
Notice types tell you how far along an acquisition is. Responding early, when the agency is still shaping requirements, is often where small businesses have the most influence.
- Sources sought or RFI: the agency is researching the market. A capability response can shape a set-aside decision.
- Presolicitation: a solicitation is expected. Start preparing now.
- Solicitation or combined synopsis/solicitation: the request is live and has a due date.
- Award notice: the contract was awarded. Useful for competitive research and teaming.
- Special notice: industry days, draft documents and other announcements.
Screen before you read the whole package
Start with the hard filters: NAICS code and its size standard, set-aside eligibility, place of performance and the response date. If any of these rule you out, stop there.
Then look at softer fit: contract value against your capacity, whether you have relevant past performance, and whether the agency has a history with an incumbent. A short, consistent screen beats an hour of reading for every notice.
How CanAdd helps
CanAdd pulls notices from SAM.gov and Grants.gov and scores them against your company profile, so the list you see starts with likely fits. USAspending award history is shown separately and labeled as historical.
Daily match emails can tell you when a new notice fits your NAICS codes. Scores are a starting point for review, not an eligibility decision. Always confirm the details in the official notice.
Fictional training example
A five-minute screen of three notices
These notices are fictional. They show how hard filters remove poor fits quickly.
| Notice | NAICS / set-aside | Due | Screen result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities maintenance, regional office | 561210 / Total small business | 21 days | Keep: matches NAICS and size. |
| Enterprise IT modernization | 541512 / Unrestricted | 30 days | Drop: value far beyond current capacity. |
| Janitorial services, HUBZone | 561720 / HUBZone | 14 days | Drop: not HUBZone certified. |
Two of three notices were removed in minutes. The remaining one earns a full read.
Your review checklist
- Save searches on SAM.gov or in CanAdd for each NAICS code you perform.
- Confirm the size standard for the notice's NAICS code.
- Check set-aside eligibility against your current certifications.
- Note the response deadline and time zone.
- Look up past awards for the same agency and service.
- Respond to sources sought notices that fit, even when you are not ready to bid.
Free CSV worksheet. Opens in Excel or Google Sheets. No account required. Sample entries are fictional; replace them with your own source-checked details.
Frequently asked questions
Is SAM.gov the only place federal contracts are posted?
It is the main one for federal procurement. Some agencies also use their own portals or GSA eBuy for schedule holders. Grants are posted on Grants.gov.
Do I need a SAM.gov registration to view opportunities?
No. Anyone can search notices. You do need an active registration to receive most federal awards.
What is a NAICS code?
A six-digit industry code. Each notice uses one, and that code's size standard decides whether you count as small for that buy.
Does CanAdd decide whether we are eligible?
No. CanAdd scores fit from your profile and flags clear mismatches. Eligibility is decided by the solicitation terms and the contracting officer.