Companies keep calling to say they will send me contracts for a fee. Legit or a scam?

Nadia is right, guaranteed awards are a scam. The DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is where the Defense Logistics Agency posts its RFQs, and it doesn't have a middleman service. Every quote submitted to DIBBS is tied to your SAM.gov registration and your CAGE code. An automated system reviews quotes against criteria like price, delivery, and past performance. If you win an award, it's because your quote met the government's requirements, not because someone "sent" you a contract.

The offers you are receiving are not legitimate, and it is not allowed to pay someone to guarantee you government contracts. The promise of "guaranteed awards" is a major red flag, as federal contracts are awarded through competitive processes outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or through specific set-aside programs that have strict eligibility requirements and competition rules. For example, even an 8(a) sole-source award has specific thresholds and conditions, and it requires SBA approval. Paying a "middleman" for a contract is unethical and potentially illegal. Legitimate services help you navigate the process, not guarantee awards.

Be wary of anyone offering to sell you a list of leads without understanding your business capabilities. Government contract opportunities are publicly available on platforms like SAM.gov for federal contracts, and various state procurement portals for state and local opportunities. While there are legitimate consultants who can help you understand the procurement process, identify relevant solicitations, and prepare proposals, they charge for their time and expertise, not for guaranteed awards or access to secret contracts. Always question any service that asks for a fee upfront with promises of guaranteed results.

It is definitely allowed to pay someone to help you pursue government contracts, but it is not allowed to pay for guaranteed awards or for someone to be a "middleman" to get you a contract. The contracting officer determines awards based on published criteria in the solicitation, not on who you pay. For example, on federal contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold, agencies must allow at least a 30-day response time for proposals, and the competition must follow the procedures in FAR Part 15. The agency will evaluate your proposal against the stated requirements, so any service you pay for should help you write a better proposal.