The Contract Wire
The morning federal procurement briefing for people who bid on the work, not cover it. Written by a desk that reads contracting officers’ notices so you don’t have to.
- New solicitations and awards from SAM.gov, GSA, and DoD — filtered for signal.
- Set-aside alerts: 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB opportunities as they post.
- Agency spending trends and upcoming procurement forecasts.
- SBIR and STTR funding calls and deadlines across DoD, DOE, NIH, and NASA.
- Written for contractors and capture managers — actionable, not academic.
Active contractor? Try Pro
Personalized SAM.gov alerts — your NAICS, your set-asides, your agencies.
Skip the 80% that doesn’t apply. Get only the opportunities you can actually bid on, with AI capture analysis on every match. $20/month, 7 days free.
Recent Editions
Also Available
- Live Federal Contract Deadlines — SAM.gov solicitations closing in the next 7/30/60/90 days, filterable by NAICS + set-aside (refreshed hourly)
- New: Audience Guides — federal contracting playbooks by audience (first-time contractors, IT/software, construction, manufacturers, veteran-owned, women-owned)
- New: Agency Guides — how to sell to DoD, GSA, VA, DHS, HHS, DOE, DOJ, Treasury (each with components, vehicles, and strategy)
- Your First Federal Contract Roadmap — 12 questions, personalized 90-day plan (free, no form required to start)
- Set-Aside Eligibility Checker — which SBA set-asides you qualify for (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB)
- NAICS Code Directory — 41 federal-contracting NAICS codes with size standards, federal spend levels, and related codes
- SBA Set-Aside Programs — 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB — eligibility, benefits, and common certification mistakes
- Deep Dives — longer-form analysis of contracting trends, available to subscribers
- RSS feed — read in your favorite reader
- Contract Wire Pro — personalized SAM.gov alerts filtered to your NAICS, set-asides, and target agencies (paid, $20/mo, 7-day trial)
Free reference articles for small federal contractors
- Sources Sought Notices: A Small-Business Guide to Pre-Solicitation on SAM.gov — why responding is the highest-leverage activity for a small contractor, even when you can’t win.
- SAM.gov Alternatives: Tools Small Federal Contractors Use to Find Opportunities Faster — honest GovWin/HigherGov/GovTribe comparison by tier and budget.
- Navigating NAICS Codes: Strategic Insights for Federal Contractors
- Understanding the SBIR Program: Phases, Mechanics, and Common Pitfalls
- → All articles