Every summer, as fireworks fade and the heat picks up, something big starts brewing in the world of government contracting: Fourth Quarter spending. The federal fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the months of July, August, and September—commonly referred to as Q4—become the busiest stretch of the year for contract awards. Why? Because federal […]
Executive Order 14240 and the Future of Government Procurement Welcome back to FedBiz’5, your go-to podcast for decoding the ever-evolving landscape of federal contracting. In this latest episode, host Bobby Testa tackles the monumental shift underway in government procurement sparked by Executive Order 14240: “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Government Procurement.” If […]
July marks the start of the federal government’s fourth fiscal quarter (Q4), which ends on September 30th. And with it comes the most active spending season of the year. In federal contracting, unspent budget allocations can lead to reduced funding in the next cycle. That’s why agencies enter a “use-it-or-lose-it” mindset in Q4, moving quickly […]
When federal agencies make purchases, their first step isn’t writing a contract—it’s defining what they need. That step, called requirements development, is guided by FAR Part 11. This section of the FAR lays the foundation for every contract by establishing the rules agencies must follow to describe their needs clearly, fairly, and in a way […]
Landscaping services—including lawn care, tree trimming, erosion control, and seasonal upkeep—are essential across federal, state, and local properties. From military bases and national parks to courthouses and university campuses, sprawling green spaces offer recurring contract opportunities for small and mid-sized landscaping businesses. With federal agencies spending billions annually under NAICS 561730, the time is ripe for […]
Every government building needs to be cleaned—and not just once. Courthouses, military bases, federal offices, and VA hospitals require regular, reliable janitorial and facility support services to stay operational and compliant. This creates a steady stream of government contracting opportunities for businesses like yours. If you own or operate a janitorial or facility support company, […]
When emergencies strike, speed matters. Whether responding to a natural disaster, cyberattack, public health emergency, or humanitarian crisis, federal agencies need to buy fast—and vendors need to be prepared to step in. That’s the purpose of FAR Part 18, the part that governs emergency acquisitions. It provides critical flexibilities for rapid procurement when traditional processes […]
A Quiet Beta with Big Implications Click over to beta-search.certify.sba.gov and you’ll see a simple banner: “Small Business Search is currently in Beta… you may find different search results here than in DSBS, so please continue to rely on DSBS for your professional needs for now.” It sounds innocuous, but the U.S. Small Business Administration […]
Take a quick look at SAM.gov and you’ll notice some familiar hurdles—solicitations that get re-scoped, forecasts that take time to refresh, and plenty of chatter about Q4 budgets. Even so, contracts are still being awarded every week, often via task orders, BPAs, and streamlined sole-source actions that move quietly behind the scenes. The common thread? […]
Knowing and understanding your competitors in government contracting can be just as important as knowing your buyers. While most businesses are laser-focused on finding the next opportunity, the smartest ones are also asking, “Who else is pursuing this? What do they charge? Who do they team with? What makes them win?” Those answers can shape […]