Discovery from official sources
Stop searching dozens of procurement portals. Votion brings federal, state, and local sources together and matches them to your profile, certifications, and capabilities.
Small business contracting
Government contracts, built for small business
Votion helps you find the opportunities you qualify for, check each one against the requirements it needs, and draft a response from your own library with every claim cited.
Certification guidance
Get step-by-step guidance on SBA 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB, and MBE certifications, and see which ones open up otherwise inaccessible contracts.
Response drafting from your library
The Advisor drafts each response from your own document library and the solicitation’s requirements, with cited requirement checks before submission.
Pipeline and fit
Track your bid history and pipeline, and see which contracts fit the certifications and past performance you already have.
Types of government contracts for small business
Set-aside contracts
Reserved exclusively for small businesses. Federal agencies must set aside contracts under $250,000 for small business competition.
Sole-source contracts
Awarded without competition to certified small businesses under certain dollar thresholds.
Subcontracting opportunities
Large prime contractors must submit small business subcontracting plans. This is a proven path to build past performance.
State and local contracts
Municipalities, counties, and state agencies issue thousands of contracts annually, often with less competition than federal opportunities.
GSA Schedule contracts
Pre-negotiated pricing agreements make it easier for agencies to buy from you once the schedule is established.
Micro-purchases
Purchases under $10,000 require no formal competition. Agencies can buy directly from qualified businesses using a government purchase card.
Frequently asked questions
How do small businesses find government contracts?
Small businesses can find government contracts through SAM.gov for federal opportunities, state procurement portals, and local government bid boards. Votion brings those official sources together, matches contracts to your profile, and checks each one against the requirements it needs, cited to the source.
What certifications help win government contracts?
Key certifications include SBA 8(a) for disadvantaged businesses, HUBZone, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Many contracts have set-aside requirements for certified businesses.
What is the government small business contracting goal?
The federal government has a statutory goal of awarding 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses. In recent years, this has exceeded 25%, representing over $150 billion annually.
How long does it take to win a government contract?
The timeline varies. Simple purchases under $250,000 can close in weeks. Larger contracts typically take 3-12 months from RFP release to award. Building a track record with smaller contracts first improves your win rate on larger opportunities.
Do I need past performance to win government contracts?
Not always. Many contracts set aside for small businesses have relaxed past performance requirements. Subcontracting with an experienced prime contractor is another way to build your government track record.