Resources and Tools

Essential Links for Small Business

• System for Award Management (SAM) – Primary vendor database for the federal government that collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions.
• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) – Federal regulation that codifies uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by all federal executive agencies
• Federal Business Opportunities (FEDBIZOPPS) – A web-based system for posting solicitations and other procurement-related documents to the internet.
• Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) – Offers public users unprecedented access to the spending patterns of the Federal government - at no cost. Once you have registered at FPDS, you will have access to more than 12 million contract actions from across the Federal government. 
• GSA Schedule Overview – Available to all government agencies to use as a procurement vehicle, the GSA Schedule can streamline the procurement process for both vendors and government agencies.
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) – A series of number codes that attempts to classify all business establishments by the types of products or services they make available.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Certifications – Programs designed to help small and disadvantaged firms to compete effectively for procurements where, to receive these benefits, the firm has to first receive formal certification from the SBA.
• USASpending.gov – Provides citizens with easy access to Government contract, grant and other award data in an easy to use and searchable format.
• Veterans Business Development Programs (VBDP) – Programs designed to help veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned firms compete through business development.
• Women’s Services – Programs to help woman-owned firms compete through business development.