Getting Started in GovCon

APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) offer free federal contracting help — one-on-one counseling, SAM.gov, capability statements, certification aid, more.

Prompt Payment Act for federal contractors — 30-day terms, late-payment interest, WAWF invoicing, and the real cash flow reality for small businesses.

How to win your first federal contract: get your foundation in place, start with small buys, target the right agencies, build past performance from nothing, and bid compliantly.

What is government contracting? A plain-English guide to how the federal marketplace works, who buys, why small businesses can compete, and how to start.

Is government contracting worth it for small businesses? An honest look at the upside, the costs, who should pursue it, and who should think twice.

A plain-English government contracting acronyms and terms glossary: SAM, UEI, NAICS, PSC, FAR, IDIQ, RFP, SDVOSB, CPARS, and the rest, all explained.

NAICS and PSC codes explained for contractors: what each is, how they set small-business size standards and classify purchases, and how to use them strategically.

FAR basics for small contractors: what the Federal Acquisition Regulation is, how it’s organized, the parts that matter most, DFARS, and how to read a solicitation.

A plain-English roadmap to federal contracting for beginners: the five foundational steps, how the government buys, and the free help available.