For small manufacturers that have never won a government contract

Can a small manufacturer win a government contract?

Yes, the government buys what you do. There are 6,609 open federal bids for small manufacturers right now.

1,562 of them are reserved for small businesses, so a large company cannot take them.

That is a live count from the government's own listings, not an estimate. Winning one is another matter: the government decides, and nobody can promise it.

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Can my business actually do this?

What the government buys from small manufacturers

Parts and components made to a drawing
Fabricated metal, machined items and assemblies
Finished goods, from tools to equipment

Good to know. Parts bids are often small and quick, with a short time to answer. Many name an exact part number, so check you can make or supply that exact item.

What do I need before I can bid?

Less than you may think, but it has to be in place first

An active SAM.gov registration. It is free, it is the government's own list of who it can pay, and it has to be renewed every year. Allow a few weeks.
A one-page capability statement. It tells a buyer what you do, where, and who you have done it for.
Proof you have done this work. Many bids ask about past jobs. Work for private customers usually counts.
A certification, for some bids only. Some bids are reserved for woman-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone or 8(a) businesses. Most are not.

Am I ready? Free 2-minute check Start with the free first lesson Get help with SAM.gov Do I qualify for a certification?

Which contracts should I pursue?

Open bids for small manufacturers

The ones kindest to a first-time bidder come first. Start close to home, start small, and check the deadline before you read anything else.

Where do you work?

6,609 open bids

Laundry Chemical Supplies and Maintenance

Due in 2 days Oct 10, 2026

Department of Veterans Affairs · Bay Pines, FL

In plain English: Supply laundry chemicals and maintenance services for a VA medical center in Florida.

Who can bid: Only small businesses can bid on this one.

Supplies and equipment Small business Small Business Set Aside - Total Sources Sought NAICS 325611

Details View details

Brake Press Trainer Sources Sought

Due in 5 days Oct 13, 2026

Department of Defense · Great Lakes, IL

In plain English: Navy needs to pick up, transport, and deliver two brake press machines.

Who can bid: Open to any business or nonprofit registered to work with the federal government.

Transportation and moving Open to all Open to all Sources Sought NAICS 333310

Details View details

Francis Marion NF - Jack Rail Fencing Purchase

Due in 8 days Oct 16, 2026

Department of Agriculture · Huger, SC

In plain English: Purchase jack rail fencing for a national forest in South Carolina.

Who can bid: Only small businesses can bid on this one.

Supplies and equipment Small business Small Business Set Aside - Total Combined Synopsis/Solicitation NAICS 332996

Details View details

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See all 6,609 of these bids

You are seeing the first 3. The rest, and every bid in full, are one free account away.

A free account gives you:

Read every bid and grant in full, with the official notice
See how each bid compares with your business
New bids that fit your work, by email once a week
A first look at a bid from our AI assistant, one bid a day
The readiness check, the certification checks and your results saved

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It takes about a minute. No card is asked for, and we never sell your email address.

Do not come back and check. Let the bids come to you.

Create a free account, tell us what you do, and we email you new bids that fit once a week. Members get them every day.

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How do I respond to a 60-page solicitation?

Not alone, and not at midnight

A bid is written for contracting officers, not for a business owner. Sabrina, our AI assistant, reads the notice and its documents with you and tells you in plain English what it is asking for, what you have to send in, and where you stand.

Work a bid from start to finish with Sabrina, our AI assistant
She reads the bid's documents, and the files and screenshots you add
Estimates built from your own numbers, compared with what the government has paid before
The documents you send in, written for you to download and edit

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OpenBid cannot guarantee results. The government decides who wins a bid, and nobody can promise that one will.

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