How to Identify and Compete for Relevant Federal Subcontracting Opportunities Using FedBiz365

If you’re a small or mid-sized business looking to get your foot in the door of government contracting, there’s one strategy that consistently delivers results without the steep learning curve: subcontracting.

It’s often more accessible than bidding directly on federal prime contracts, and it provides a clear path to building the past performance, experience, and relationships that set your business up for future prime wins.

But knowing that subcontracting is valuable is only part of the equation. The challenge lies in identifying relevant subcontracting opportunities, tracking them efficiently, and positioning your business to be seen as a qualified teaming partner.

That’s where FedBiz365 excels.

FedBiz365 combines AI-driven search, real-time contract data, and actionable intelligence to help contractors pinpoint high-fit subcontracting opportunities and uncover teaming possibilities across federal and SLED markets.

In this article, we’ll walk you through why subcontracting is such a powerful strategy, how FedBiz365 helps you identify and act on these opportunities, and what steps you can take today to move forward confidently.

Why Subcontracting is a Smart Entry Point for Federal Contracting

Subcontracting allows small businesses to participate in the federal marketplace without bearing the full burden of compliance, pricing, and proposal development that comes with prime contracting.

Some key benefits of subcontracting include:

• Build Past Performance: Subcontracting on larger contracts helps you gain experience that can later be used to support your own prime bids.
• Develop Relationships: Working under a prime allows you to build credibility with federal agencies and contracting officers.
• Lower Risk, Lower Barriers: Primes handle the heavy lifting of compliance, while you focus on delivering a piece of the solution.
• Explore New Markets: Subcontracting is a great way to test the waters in new industries or with new agencies.
• Meet Socio-Economic Goals: Large primes are incentivized to work with certified small businesses to meet federal subcontracting goals.

The catch? These opportunities aren’t always easy to find.

That’s where FedBiz365 bridges the gap.

How FedBiz365 Helps You Uncover Subcontracting Opportunities

Subcontracting often flies under the radar. Unlike prime contracts, subcontracts are not always publicly advertised. However, by using smart tools and looking in the right places, you can identify where the subcontracting potential lies.

FedBiz365 helps you:

• Find recently awarded prime contracts that are likely to require subcontractors
• Search for large primes who consistently work with subs
• Access forecasted opportunities where primes will soon be looking for support
• Identify teaming trends based on past performance
• Connect with primes directly using integrated company and contact profiles

Let’s walk through the tools inside FedBiz365 that make this possible.

1. Identify Prime Contracts Likely to Require Subcontracting

With FedBiz365, you can search for recently awarded federal contracts based on agency, NAICS, value, and set-aside status.

This is especially useful when:

• The contract is too large to be executed by one company
• The prime is a large business required to meet small business subcontracting goals
• The scope includes multiple technical areas or geographies

By filtering for large awards in your market, you can build a list of potential opportunities where subcontracting is either required or highly likely.

FedBiz365 provides:

• Contract award data (including value and period of performance)
• Incumbent and prime contractor details
• Agency and buyer history
• Contract vehicle used (GWAC, BPA, IDIQ, etc.)

Once you spot a relevant award, you can begin the outreach process early—well before the prime begins looking for partners.

2. Search for Active Prime Contractors in Your Space

The platform includes detailed company profiles of contractors who:

• Regularly win federal awards
• Operate within your target NAICS codes
• Have subcontracting plans in place

FedBiz365 lets you:

• Search by NAICS, PSC, or keyword
• Sort contractors by agency relationship, award frequency, or set-aside status
• View historical teaming patterns
• Download contact information for direct outreach

This allows you to proactively approach contractors likely to need subcontracting support. And with access to past teaming data, you can frame your offer in a way that aligns with their existing strategy.

3. Use the Partner Finder Tool

FedBiz365’s Partner Finder is designed to match you with potential teaming partners based on real-world performance data.

You can:

• Build custom searches for companies based on award type, contract size, and past teaming behavior
• Create ranked lists of potential primes most aligned with your capabilities
• Identify primes with gaps in their offerings that you can fill

This saves you time and ensures you’re not just reaching out blindly—you’re contacting primes that are actually active in your space.

4. Explore Federal Agency Relationships and Set-Aside Requirements

Some agencies and contracts have built-in requirements or goals for working with small businesses. This includes:

• Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
• 8(a), HUBZone, and more

FedBiz365 allows you to:

• Filter opportunities and prime contracts by socio-economic indicators
• Identify which primes are working with specific certifications
• See where your certification status can help a prime meet their subcontracting targets

This gives you leverage in outreach conversations and helps you align with agencies actively promoting small business participation.

5. Reach Out to Buyers and Primes with Confidence

Once you’ve identified a solid subcontracting target, it’s time to reach out. FedBiz365 provides:

• Contact information for primes and their key personnel
• Contracting officer and buyer contact info for prime awards
• Agency-level intelligence to help tailor your message

With these tools, you can:

• Introduce your company and capabilities
• Reference specific contracts or agency goals
• Offer targeted support for upcoming or ongoing projects

This transforms your outreach from a cold call to a well-informed proposal for collaboration.

And if you want help crafting those messages? FedBiz Access offers Engagement Coaching and the Federal Connections Package to help you reach the right people, the right way.

6. Track Pursuits and Follow-Up Opportunities

FedBiz365 includes pipeline and pursuit management tools so you can:

• Save subcontracting leads directly to your dashboard
• Assign follow-up tasks or outreach goals
• Monitor opportunities for updates or modifications
• Set alerts for new awards to existing primes

By tracking your subcontracting strategy like you would your prime pursuits, you stay organized and ensure no opportunity falls through the cracks.

Tips for Winning as a Subcontractor

Finding the opportunity is only the beginning. Here are a few best practices to help you land the subcontract:

• Tailor your pitch: Explain exactly how your capabilities complement the prime’s solution.
• Highlight certifications: Especially if the prime needs to meet small business participation goals.
• Reference past performance: Even if it’s not federal, show you’ve delivered in similar roles.
• Be ready with a capability statement: A professional, government-formatted capability statement goes a long way.
• Offer flexibility and responsiveness: Make it easy for the prime to work with you.

FedBiz365 supports all of this with data, contacts, and strategy tools to help you stand out.

Subcontracting is the Start of Something Bigger

Subcontracting is often the best way to get started in federal contracting because:

• It builds your past performance
• It gets your name in front of buyers
• It creates relationships that lead to direct awards or future teaming
• It helps you learn the federal space while minimizing risk

FedBiz365 makes it easier than ever to identify, pursue, and win those critical early-stage opportunities that build momentum for your business.

FedBiz Access: Helping Contractors Succeed for Over 24 Years

Whether you’re brand new to government contracting or looking to grow strategically, FedBiz Access is here to help.

For more than two decades, we’ve supported thousands of businesses with:

• SAM & DSBS Registration and Optimization
• Socio-Economic Certifications (WOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, and more)
• GSA Schedule Proposal Support
• Capability Statement Design + Company Snapshot Video
• Federal Connections Marketing Campaigns
• One-on-One Engagement Coaching

Now, with FedBiz365, we’re giving you the tools to back it all up with smart, AI-driven market intelligence.

Ready to Tap Into Federal Subcontracting Opportunities?

FedBiz365 is your all-in-one solution to:

• Identify high-value subcontracting targets
• Connect with primes and buyers
• Track opportunities and manage pursuits
• Build relationships that grow into long-term wins

Click here to learn more about FedBiz365.

You can also schedule a complimentary consultation with a FedBiz Specialist to see how FedBiz365 can help your business find its place in the federal market—starting with your next subcontracting win.

Let’s build your path to prime success—together.