Government contracting for beginners: where do I even start, in what order?

The actual order of operations for a small services company involves understanding the different procurement levels and their respective processes. For federal contracts, you should focus on completing your SAM.gov registration, understanding your NAICS code and size standard, and then searching for opportunities on SAM.gov. For state and local government work, you will need to register in each state or local entity's procurement portal, as these are separate from SAM.gov.

Prioritize completing your capability statement and ensuring your SAM.gov registration is active and accurate. Then, begin searching for solicitations on SAM.gov for federal opportunities, and on relevant state and local procurement portals for those opportunities. Many state and local entities have vendor guides that outline their specific bidding processes. You can also research certifications like WOSB or SDVOSB, but these are typically more impactful for federal set-asides. Teaming with a prime contractor is a strategy that can be pursued once you have a clear understanding of the types of contracts you are targeting and your own capabilities.

Jordan, the first thing to prioritize is understanding the requirements for local and state government work, since you are focusing there right now. State and local government procurement processes are distinct from federal contracting, and each state, county, or city typically maintains its own state procurement portal for vendor registration and bid solicitations. You will need to register your business in each of those systems where you want to bid, such as Team Georgia Marketplace or Virginia's eVA eProcurement Marketplace, if you plan to pursue work in those areas. These portals often have vendor guides that outline their specific bidding procedures and requirements.