Five steps, in order
| Step | Where | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | See what the government buys in your field | Open notices by NAICS code and by agency, free. |
| 2 | Check which set-asides you could bid | Set-aside notices. 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB and HUBZone each need their own certification; a small-business set-aside needs you to be small under that notice's NAICS size standard. |
| 3 | Register in SAM.gov and set up a profile | No UEI needed to start a FedSift profile; you need one to be awarded a contract. |
| 4 | Price your first bid | GSA labor rates: hourly ceilings by labor category, P10 to P90. |
| 5 | Read the solicitation before you commit | FedSift's verdict names the gate that fails and the page it comes from — and says when it cannot tell. |
What FedSift does for a first-time bidder
- Matches you to notices you can actually bid, scored on NAICS, set-aside eligibility and your capability statement.
- Tells you not to bid when a notice is reserved for someone else, needs a vehicle or certification you lack, or the package is too thin to judge.
- Shows the way in through teaming — primes in your codes and who they already sub to.
- Lets you read the rules: FAR and SBA text, verbatim and dated, with the key provisions explained.
Questions
Do I need to be registered in SAM.gov to use FedSift?
No. You can read every open solicitation without an account, and create a FedSift account without a UEI. You do need an active SAM.gov registration before the government can award you a contract, so register there before you bid.
How do I find my NAICS codes?
When you set up your profile, type one or two words about what you do — janitorial, software, engineering, landscaping — and pick the closest official industry names. Short words work best, because the search matches the official NAICS titles.
Should I bid as a prime or a subcontractor first?
Many firms start by subcontracting to a prime that already holds the work, which builds past performance. FedSift's Partner Finder shows primes in your NAICS codes, and each firm's record shows who it has subcontracted with, from federal sub-award reports. For a specific solicitation, FedSift's analysis recommends prime, prime with a team, or sub.
Is it free?
The public pages are free without an account. Starter is free forever with no card, and every account is on Pro at no cost until 31 March 2027.
Sources
- SAM.gov entity registration, checked 15 September 2026.
- SBA: Contracting assistance programs, checked 15 September 2026.
- GSA CALC+, checked 15 September 2026.
Start with the notices in your field
Browse every open solicitation without an account. When you sign up, choose “I'm new to federal contracting” and FedSift skips what you don't have yet.
Starter is free forever, no card. Pro is $19 a month or $199 a year, and every account is on Pro at no cost until 31 March 2027. Would rather be walked through it? Ask for a demo and we'll reach out within one business day.