Which government contracts are easiest to win for a brand new small business?

Jordan, to find opportunities that could be easier to win, you should focus on the "Notice Type" filter in SAM.gov, specifically looking for Request for Quotation (RFQ) notices. While Helen mentioned a "Simplified Acquisition Procedures" filter, the primary filter to narrow down by procurement instrument is "Notice Type." RFQs are commonly used for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold, as agencies are encouraged to use simplified procedures for these buys (FAR 13.003(a)). You are correct that micro-purchases, which are buys under $15,000 (FAR 2.101), are often made with government credit cards and may not be posted on SAM.gov at all, making them harder to find through public searches.

Jordan, to specifically find federal opportunities under the simplified acquisition threshold on SAM.gov, you should look for notices with the "Procurement Type" filter set to "Simplified Acquisition Procedures." While Marcus is correct that an Invitation for Bid or Request for Quotation can be under this threshold, the "Simplified Acquisition Procedures" filter will narrow down your search more effectively. These procurements are explicitly designated by the contracting officer to be processed using simplified procedures, which are intended to reduce administrative costs and burdens for both the government and contractors, especially for purchases not exceeding $350,000 (FAR 13.003(a)).

The easiest government contracts to win for a brand new small business are micro-purchases and buys under the simplified acquisition threshold. You are right that some buys are made with government credit cards and are not posted, these are typically micro-purchases. Federal agencies shall use simplified acquisition procedures to the maximum extent practicable for all purchases of supplies or services not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, according to FAR 13.003(a).

For federal opportunities posted on SAM.gov, you can often identify smaller buys by looking for notices that specify a dollar range below the simplified acquisition threshold. You might also find them listed as a Request for Quotation or sometimes an Invitation for Bid. A Combined synopsis/solicitation can be for any size, so you need to read the details. I always prefer county and school district work over federal because the thresholds are usually lower and the paperwork is less complex.