Winning a prime contract takes time, past performance, and the right relationships—things that many new or growing contractors may not yet have. However, there’s a hidden goldmine of opportunities that often gets overlooked: subcontracting.

Subcontracting allows businesses to partner with prime contractors, build valuable past performance, and establish key relationships within federal agencies—all without having to navigate the complexities of a prime contract. The challenge? Many of these subcontracting opportunities aren’t publicly advertised, making them difficult to find using traditional research methods.

So, how do you find them? FedBiz365 is a powerful market intelligence platform helps contractors uncover hidden subcontracting opportunities, identify the right prime contractors, and build a strategic path toward winning direct contracts in the future.

In this article, we’ll explore how prime contractors actively seek small business partners, how FedBiz365 helps users find subcontracting openings that aren’t publicly listed, and why subcontracting is a smart entry strategy for businesses looking to establish themselves in the federal marketplace.

Why Prime Contractors Actively Seek Small Business Subcontractors

One of the biggest misconceptions in government contracting is that large prime contractors handle everything themselves. In reality, many primes rely heavily on small business subcontractors to meet contract requirements.

The federal government has set-aside requirements and subcontracting goals that encourage primes to work with small businesses in categories such as:

8(a) Small Business Development Program
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
HUBZone-certified businesses
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)

For many large government contracts, prime contractors must submit a small business subcontracting plan, detailing how they will include small businesses in their work. If they fail to meet these commitments, they can face penalties or lose eligibility for future awards.

This creates a huge demand for qualified small business subcontractors. The problem is that most subcontracting opportunities aren’t publicly listed, making them difficult for small businesses to find—unless they have access to the right market intelligence tools.

How FedBiz365 Helps Contractors Find Subcontracting Opportunities That Aren’t Publicly Advertised

Subcontracting can be a goldmine of opportunity, but finding these contracts requires more than just searching SAM.gov. Many of the best opportunities never get publicly posted because prime contractors fill them through existing relationships and strategic outreach.

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FedBiz365 helps contractors uncover these hidden opportunities by providing:

1. Prime Contractor Award Tracking

View detailed records of past contract awards, including who won them and what subcontracting requirements they included.
Identify which prime contractors work with small businesses and in what capacity.
Analyze contract trends to predict future subcontracting needs.

2. Teaming Partner Identification

Find potential teaming partners based on contract history and past performance.
Identify businesses that have successfully teamed with primes on similar projects.
Analyze who is winning subcontracting work in your industry and how you can position yourself as the next partner.

3. Subcontracting Forecasts and Pipeline Management

Get ahead of upcoming subcontracting opportunities before they are announced.
Track expiring contracts and recompetes where prime contractors may be looking for new subcontracting partners.
Monitor industry trends to see where primes are expanding their subcontractor networks.

4. Direct Access to Prime Contractor Contacts

FedBiz365 provides contact details for decision-makers at top prime contractors.
Businesses can use this information to introduce their capabilities, schedule capability briefings, and proactively position themselves for subcontracting opportunities.
Rather than waiting for an opportunity to be posted, businesses can engage with primes before the subcontracting need arises.

By using these tools, businesses can actively seek out and secure subcontracting work, rather than waiting for opportunities to become publicly available.

Why Subcontracting is the Best Entry Strategy for New Government Contractors

For businesses new to government contracting, subcontracting is often the fastest path to success. Here’s why:

1. Build Past Performance Without the Burden of a Prime Contract

Winning a prime government contract requires past performance, but how do you gain past performance without first winning a contract? Subcontracting solves this challenge.

Working under a prime allows small businesses to gain experience fulfilling government contracts without the administrative burden of being the prime.
Agencies recognize subcontracting work as legitimate past performance, making it easier to qualify for direct prime contracts in the future.
Successful subcontracting relationships can lead to repeat business and direct awards.

2. Establish Relationships with Government Buyers

Government contracting is relationship-driven. Agencies are more likely to award contracts to businesses they know and trust.

Subcontracting allows small businesses to get in front of federal agencies by working under an established prime.
It provides valuable networking opportunities with agency officials and contracting officers.
Many businesses that start as subcontractors later win prime contracts from the same agency.

3. Reduce Risk and Increase Learning Opportunities

Managing a prime contract involves complex compliance requirements, reporting obligations, and significant administrative work.

Subcontracting allows businesses to learn the ropes of government contracting without taking on full responsibility.
It provides a lower-risk way to enter the government market while still generating revenue.
Businesses can develop internal processes and gain certifications to prepare for future prime contract opportunities.

By leveraging subcontracting to build past performance, relationships, and experience, businesses can set themselves up for long-term success in the government marketplace.

The FedBiz365 Advantage: Unlocking Subcontracting Opportunities

Most businesses struggle to find subcontracting work because they don’t have the right data and connections. FedBiz365 changes that.

With real-time access to subcontracting opportunities, prime contractor insights, and teaming partner connections, FedBiz365 is the ultimate tool for businesses looking to break into government contracting and build a sustainable pipeline of contracts.

Here’s why more contractors are turning to FedBiz365:

Find subcontracting work that isn’t publicly listed by tracking prime contractor activity.
Gain direct access to prime contractor decision-makers to introduce your business.
Build your past performance quickly and position yourself for future prime contracts.
Identify teaming and joint venture opportunities that align with your business goals.
Leverage real-time contract intelligence to stay ahead of upcoming opportunities.

For businesses looking to grow their government contracting presence, establish past performance, and build key relationships, FedBiz365 provides the market intelligence needed to succeed.

Take the Next Step Toward Securing More Government Contracts

Subcontracting is one of the most effective ways to gain a foothold in the government marketplace, build past performance, and position your business for direct contract opportunities in the future. With FedBiz365, finding these subcontracting opportunities has never been easier.

For over 24 years, FedBiz Access has been the leading government business development firm, helping businesses of all sizes navigate and succeed in the government marketplace.

Excited to get started but feeling overwhelmed? That’s the FedBiz365 difference; we will help you align your goals with actionable strategies by providing expert assistance along the way.

Ready to see how FedBiz365 can help you win more contracts?

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Have questions? Call us today: (844) 628-8914

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