How to Find Government Contracts: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide will walk you through the essential steps to find and pursue government contracts—whether through public platforms like SAM.gov or with the help of market intelligence tools like GovWin IQ.

Why it Matters:

In today’s dynamic environment, having the right strategy and tools in place to find government contracts can make all the difference.

Key Takeaways:

• Know Where to Look: Learn how to find federal, state, local, and Canadian government contract opportunities using free resources like SAM.gov and advanced market intelligence platforms such as GovWin IQ.
• Win with the Right Strategy: Discover proven approaches to pursue contracts successfully, from building compliant proposals to leveraging set-aside programs, subcontracting, and teaming agreements—especially for small businesses.
• Stay Ahead of Market Changes: Understand how evolving policies like FAR 2.0, shifting funding priorities, and regional procurement differences can impact your strategy, and how to adapt to remain competitive.

In This Article:

• Why Finding Government Contracts Matters in 2025
• How to Find Federal Government Contracts
• How to Find State and Local Government Contracts
• How to Find Government Contracts as a Small Business
• How to Find Canadian Government Contracts
• How to Search for Government Contracts by Market, Agency or Need
• Frequently Asked Questions

The government contracting landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. From sweeping procurement reforms to shifting federal priorities, contractors must stay agile and informed to stay competitive.

Whether you're pursuing your first opportunity or expanding your public sector pipeline, knowing where and how to find government contracts is more critical than ever.

Recent developments like the Trump Administration’s evolving policy agenda and the proposed FAR 2.0 overhaul are reshaping how government agencies buy and how contractors must respond. These changes present both challenges and opportunities for businesses ready to adapt.

Stay Ahead of Changes in Government Contracting

• Explore the Trump Administration’s 2025 GovCon Impacts: Stay ahead of policy shifts and funding priorities with this expert-curated resource hub.
• Watch The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Webinar Series: Learn how FAR 2.0 could transform federal procurement and what it means for your business.

Finding federal government contracts requires more than just knowing where to look—it takes the right tools, timing, and strategy.

With increased funding across defense, infrastructure, and technology, and evolving procurement rules like the proposed FAR 2.0 overhaul, contractors must stay informed and proactive.

The most common starting point for finding government contracts is SAM.gov, the official U.S. government system for contract opportunities. But for deeper insights, competitive intelligence, and early visibility into upcoming bids, many successful contractors use platforms like GovWin IQ.

How to Pursue a Federal Government Contract

Once you’ve identified a promising opportunity, the next step is to pursue it with a compelling, compliant proposal.

In today’s environment, proposal development is evolving rapidly—driven by AI, automation, and new expectations from federal buyers.

Go Deeper:

• The Future of Proposal Management: Discover how AI and automation are transforming how proposals are created and evaluated.
• Create Winning GovCon Proposals: Download this guide for step-by-step strategies to craft proposals that stand out.
• AI’s Role in Proposal Tools: Learn how AI is helping contractors respond faster and smarter to RFPs.

Whether you're a small business pursuing your first federal contract or an established vendor expanding your pipeline, this free guide will walk you through the essential steps to identify, evaluate, and pursue the right opportunities—from discovery to proposal submission.

Download the Free Guide: Federal Contracting 101

To build a strong foundation, start with the Federal Contracting 101 Guide—a free, practical resource that walks you through the basics of registration, opportunity search, and proposal preparation in today’s evolving market.

Download the Guide Now

State and local government contracting is full of opportunity—but also complexity. With billions in funding flowing into infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public safety, contractors across industries are looking to tap into this dynamic market.

But unlike federal procurement, state and local contracts are highly decentralized, with thousands of agencies using their own procurement portals, processes, and preferences.

That’s why many vendors rely on tools like GovWin IQ to get visibility into state, local, and education (SLED) opportunities.

How to Pursue a SLED Contact

Once you’ve identified the right opportunities, the next step is to pursue them with tailored proposals and a strong go-to-market strategy. Success in the SLED space requires more than just bidding—it demands relationship-building, local market knowledge, and a disciplined approach to visibility and credibility.

To help you navigate this landscape, Deltek created the SLED Government Contracting MasterClass—a free, expert-led webinar series designed to give you the tools, tactics, and insider knowledge to win.

Whether you're new to the space or looking to sharpen your strategy, this webinar series will help you compete—and win—this year and beyond.

 

SLED Government Contracting Masterclass

Get insider strategies from former SLED procurement officials and top consultants to win more city, county, and state contracts, boost visibility, and grow your revenue.

Watch Now

Small businesses are more empowered than ever to compete in the government contracting space. With expanded set-aside programs, increased agency small business goals, and new digital tools to level the playing field, there’s never been a better time to enter the public sector market.

Programs like the 8(a) Business Development Program, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Minority-Owned Small Business (MOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program offer targeted pathways to help small businesses gain access to federal opportunities and build long-term success.

But navigating the process—from registration to opportunity discovery to proposal submission—can be overwhelming without the right guidance.

That’s why many small businesses rely on tools like GovWin IQ to uncover relevant opportunities, understand agency buying behavior, and compete more effectively.

For many small businesses, the best path to entry is through subcontracting or teaming agreements—strategies that allow you to build past performance, gain experience, and grow relationships with prime contractors.

Resources to Help You Find Small Business Contracts

To help you succeed, Deltek has curated a suite of expert resources tailored specifically for small businesses:

1. Explore the SMB Tools Resource Hub: Access expert-curated templates, checklists, and insights designed to help small businesses thrive in the government market.
2. Get the Guide: Federal Subcontracting 101: Understand how to find subcontracting opportunities, build relationships with primes, and grow your past performance.
3. Download the Guide: Teaming Agreements 101: Learn how to structure effective teaming agreements that help you compete for larger contracts and build strategic partnerships.

 

 

Download the Free Guide: Selling to the Government as a Small Business

To build a strong foundation, start with the Small Business Government Contracting Guide—a free, step-by-step resource that walks you through the essentials of selling to government as a small business in today’s evolving market.

Download the Guide Now

Canada’s public sector market is a major opportunity for vendors across North America—and it’s evolving rapidly.

From federal and provincial infrastructure investments to municipal digital modernization, billions in public sector spending are up for grabs. But navigating this landscape requires a clear understanding of procurement processes, trade policies, and regional priorities.

Whether you're a Canadian vendor or a U.S.-based business looking to expand north of the border, success starts with knowing where to look—and how to adapt your strategy to current market conditions.

To help you stay ahead, Deltek’s analysts have identified the 10 Hotspots in Canadian Government Contracting for 2025—a data-backed breakdown of the most active and high-potential sectors across federal, provincial, and municipal levels.

And with recent uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, and the recent Canadian federal election, it’s more important than ever to stay informed.

Related Resources:

• [Webinar]: Navigating the Canadian Public Sector Market in a Time of Uncertainty
• [Guide]: How to Win Contracts in Canada

Once you’ve identified promising opportunities, the next step is to pursue them with a tailored, compliant proposal that aligns with Canadian procurement standards.

Understanding the nuances of federal, provincial, and municipal buying behavior is key to standing out. Tools like GovWin IQ for Canada provide the market intelligence you need to track upcoming solicitations, analyze buyer trends, and respond strategically—whether you're bidding as a prime or exploring subcontracting opportunities.

 

Download the Free Guide: Canadian Government Contracting 101

To build a strong foundation, download the Canadian Government Contracting 101 Guide—a free, practical resource that covers registration, solicitation types, and proposal strategies tailored to Canada’s federal, provincial, and municipal markets.

Download the Guide Now

Searching for government contracts isn’t just about knowing where to look—it’s about knowing how to look.

The most successful contractors search by agency, location, contract type, and even competitor activity to uncover the right opportunities at the right time.

Whether you're new to government contracting or refining your strategy, seeing real examples of what agencies are buying can make all the difference. That’s why Deltek offers a free sample contracts site—a searchable preview of the powerful market intelligence available to GovWin IQ subscribers.

Use the free sample contracts site to:

• Explore real solicitations across federal, state, local, and Canadian markets
• See how agencies structure their RFPs and what they’re prioritizing
• Get inspired by real-world examples before diving deeper with GovWin IQ

 

Search Sample Government Contracts for Bid

Get a free taste of GovWin IQ. Explore real government solicitations and see what’s possible before you subscribe.

Explore Sample Government Contracts Now

Where can I search for government contracts for free?

You can explore real, active solicitations across federal, state, local, and Canadian markets using Deltek’s free sample contracts site. It’s a great way to preview the types of opportunities available before subscribing to a full market intelligence platform like GovWin IQ.

What’s the best way to find contracts that match my business?

Use filters like NAICS codes, agency, location, and contract value to narrow your search. Tools like GovWin IQ help you go even deeper by tracking competitor activity, forecasting future bids, and analyzing buyer behavior.

How do I know if I’m eligible for small business set-aside contracts?

Eligibility for small business set-asides depends on your business size, ownership structure, and certifications. Programs like 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, and MOSB offer targeted opportunities for qualified businesses.

What’s the difference between federal, state, and local contracts?

Federal contracts are centralized and typically listed on SAM.gov, while state and local contracts are decentralized and vary by agency, location, and procurement process. Each level has its own rules, timelines, and systems. To better understand how to navigate these differences—and where to focus your efforts—check out the SLED Government Contracting MasterClass, a free webinar series that breaks down how to win at the state and local level.

How do I pursue a contract once I find one?

Once you’ve found the right opportunity, the next step is crafting a proposal that stands out. Download the Creating Winning GovCon Proposals Guide to learn how to structure your response, align with buyer expectations, and increase your chances of winning.