Top 12 Easiest Government Contracts to Win
Government contracting is a great opportunity for businesses looking to expand their revenue streams and build stability. The federal government alone spends over $550 billion annually on contracts, with billions more at state and local levels.
While many businesses perceive government contracting as overly complex, certain contract types are more accessible than others, especially for small businesses.
Why Some Government Contracts Are Easier to Win than Others
Before diving into specific contract types, let’s understand what makes certain opportunities more accessible:
Lower Competition Levels
Some contract categories attract fewer bidders due to specialized requirements or lower profit margins. For example, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports that certain maintenance contracts receive 30-40% fewer bids than IT services contracts of similar value.
Set-Asides for Small Businesses
The U.S. government has specific programs designed to increase small business access to government contracts through set-asides. These programs limit competition to businesses that meet specific eligibility criteria (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone), significantly improving the chances of winning for small businesses.
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)
For contracts valued between $10,000 and $250,000, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) allow for quicker, more flexible procurement methods. These procedures reduce paperwork and make it easier for small businesses to compete.
Commercial Item Contracts
Government contracts for commercial items, products or services readily available in the marketplace are subject to fewer compliance requirements. This simplifies the bidding process and makes these contracts easier to win.
Top 12 Easiest Government Contracts to Win
1. Micro-Purchase Contracts
Contracts valued under $10,000 ($20,000 for construction) that government purchase cardholders can buy directly are micro-purchase contracts. Micro-purchase contracts are perhaps the easiest government opportunities to win because they bypass most of the traditional competition requirements.
Why They’re Accessible: Government buyers can make these purchases with government credit cards, often without formal bids. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) allows for direct purchases with minimal paperwork.
2. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Contracts
Contracts valued between $10,000 and $250,000 that follow streamlined procurement processes are SAP contracts.
Why They’re Accessible: These contracts are statutorily reserved for small businesses and require less documentation than larger contracts. Agencies can use simplified procedures that reduce both the procurement timeline and complexity.
Target Agencies: Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Department of Agriculture frequently utilize SAP contracts for routine purchases.
3. 8(a) Set-Aside Contracts
Contracts specifically designated for businesses certified in the SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program are 8(a) Set-Aside Contracts.
Why They’re Accessible: These contracts can be awarded directly to 8(a) firms without competition under $4.5 million ($7 million for manufacturing). The SBA reports that approximately 5,000 certified 8(a) businesses compete for about $30 billion in set-aside contracts annually.
4. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Asides
Contracts reserved exclusively for businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans are SDVOSB contracts.
Why They’re Accessible: Limited competition pool and strong federal preference, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA alone awards over $3 billion annually to SDVOSBs.
Certification Benefit: Once certified, these businesses face a much smaller competitive field than open market contracts.
5. State and Local Government Contracts
Contracts issued by state agencies, counties, municipalities, and school districts that often have more straightforward requirements than federal opportunities.
Why They’re Accessible: Generally less complex requirements, lower competition levels, and more straightforward proposal processes than federal contracts. Many states have small business preference programs with goals ranging from 15-30% of contract spending.
6. Subcontracting Opportunities
Working as a subcontractor to a prime contractor who holds the direct government contract.
Why They’re Accessible: Lower barriers to entry, reduced compliance requirements, and valuable experience building. Prime contractors on federal contracts over $700,000 ($1.5 million for construction) must have small business subcontracting plans.
Relationship Building: Subcontracting creates relationships that can lead to prime contracting opportunities later.
7. GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contracts
Long-term governmentwide contracts that provide federal, state, and local government buyers access to commercial products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated rates.
Why They’re Accessible: Once on the GSA Schedule, businesses can receive orders directly from agencies without additional competition for certain dollar thresholds.
Long-Term Value: These contracts last up to 20 years and provide ongoing access to government buyers.
8. Maintenance and Facility Support Contracts
Contracts for building maintenance, grounds keeping, janitorial services, and facility management that exist for virtually every government building.
Why They’re Accessible: Consistent demand with clear, standardized requirements. The federal government manages over 273,000 buildings, creating steady demand for these services.
Recurring Revenue: These contracts typically renew annually, providing stable income streams.
9. Commercial Item Contracts
Contracts for commercially available products or services that require minimal customization and follow streamlined acquisition procedures under FAR Part 12.
Why They’re Accessible: Streamlined acquisition processes with fewer government-specific requirements. The FAR Part 12 procedures for commercial items significantly reduce compliance complexity.
Proposal Simplicity: Proposals for commercial items can be substantially less complex than those for custom solutions.
10. Training and Educational Services
Contracts to provide instruction, certification training, or professional development to government employees across virtually all agencies.
Why They’re Accessible: High demand across all government agencies with relatively straightforward requirements. Federal agencies spend billions annually on training services.
Subject Matter Focus: Subject matter expertise often matters more than past government experience.
11. Disaster Response and Recovery Contracts
Contracts awarded in response to natural disasters and emergency situations, often with expedited procurement processes.
Why They’re Accessible: Expedited procurement processes with reduced competition due to urgency. FEMA alone awarded over $3 billion in disaster-related contracts in between 2003 and 2018.
Registration Importance: Businesses must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before disasters strike to capitalize on these opportunities.
12. HUBZone Set-Aside Contracts
Contracts reserved for businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones, economically distressed communities identified by the SBA.
Why They’re Accessible: Limited competition with approximately 5,000 certified HUBZone businesses nationwide. The federal government has a 3% contracting goal for HUBZone firms, but typically awards only 2-2.5%, indicating available opportunities.
Geographic Advantage: Businesses in qualifying areas face a much smaller competitive field.
Criteria That Make Government Contracts Easier to Win
Small Business Preference Programs
The federal government maintains a goal of awarding 23% of prime contract dollars to small businesses. In fiscal year 2020, the government exceeded this goal, awarding $145.7 billion or 26.01% to small businesses.
Specific socioeconomic programs provide additional advantages:
- Women-Owned Small Businesses (5% goal)
- Small Disadvantaged Businesses (5% goal)
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (3% goal)
- HUBZone Small Businesses (3% goal)
Pre-Qualification Status
Getting listed on government contract vehicles significantly increases win probability:
- GSA Multiple Award Schedules
- Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts
- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
These vehicles allow agencies to place orders directly without full competition, making wins substantially easier for listed vendors.
Lower Entry Barriers
Contracts with these characteristics typically prove more accessible:
- Simplified technical requirements
- Limited past performance requirements
- Standardized evaluation criteria
- Shorter proposal response times
Federal procurement data shows that contracts with fewer evaluation factors result in higher small business participation rates.
Geographic Targeting
Contracts with specific geographic requirements limit the competitive pool:
- Local set-asides
- On-site service requirements
- Regional preference programs
For example, military bases often issue contracts requiring contractors to be within specific distance ranges, limiting potential bidders.
Expert Tips for Winning Government Contracts More Easily
Target the Right Opportunities
Focus on contracts aligned with your capabilities and experience. The federal government’s Contract Opportunities portal (beta.SAM.gov) allows filtering by size, type, and set-aside status.
Begin with smaller contracts to build past performance before pursuing larger opportunities. Businesses with at least three successful government contracts are 30% more likely to win subsequent bids.
Prepare Stronger Proposals
Follow instructions precisely – many proposals are disqualified for non-compliance with formatting or submission requirements.
Address evaluation criteria explicitly and directly in your proposal. Contracting officers report that clearly organized proposals addressing all evaluation factors score much higher on average.
Build Strategic Relationships
Develop connections with:
- Contracting officers
- Small business specialists
- Prime contractors seeking subcontractors
- Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs)
Businesses that attend pre-bid conferences and industry days are more likely to submit successful proposals.
Maintain Proper Registrations and Certifications
Keep these critical registrations current:
- System for Award Management (SAM)
- Relevant socioeconomic certifications
- Industry-specific certifications
- State and local vendor registrations
How Road Map Consulting Can Help
Navigating government contracting becomes significantly easier with expert guidance. Road Map Consulting specializes in helping businesses identify, pursue, and win government contracts through services including:
Our clients experience a higher win rate on government contract proposals compared to the industry average, with 98% client retention demonstrating our effectiveness in this specialized market.
