Federal contracting help: answers from official sources
As of 12 November 2026, 19 questions about SAM.gov registration, set-asides, notice types and deadlines are answered here, each from the official source with the date it was read.
Updated . Bid Watch US is independent, not SAM.gov or the US government.
SAM.gov registration
- Do I need SAM.gov registration to bid on federal contracts?
- How long does SAM.gov registration take to become active?
- How do I know if my SAM.gov registration is active?
- How often must SAM registration be renewed?
- What happens if my SAM.gov registration expires, and are expiration letters from companies official?
- Is SAM.gov registration free?
- What is a UEI and how do I get one?
Set-asides and small business programs
- What is a small business set-aside?
- What is the rule of two?
- What is the SBA 8(a) program?
- What is a WOSB set-aside?
- What is a HUBZone?
- What is an SDVOSB set-aside?
Notices, deadlines and thresholds
- What is a presolicitation notice?
- What is a combined synopsis/solicitation?
- How long do I have to respond to a federal solicitation?
- What are the simplified acquisition threshold and the micro-purchase threshold?
- How do I find federal contract opportunities for my trade?
Codes
Search open federal contracts
Bid Watch US searches the open notices read every day from SAM.gov public data, free, with a Monday email for your trade and state.