Watch This to Generate 1000s of Leads (Gov Contracts)

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in government contracting is that finding opportunities is complicated, fragmented, or locked behind expensive tools.

It’s not.

Almost every federal contracting opportunity you need—RFIs, Sources Sought notices, RFPs, and RFQs—lives in one place: SAM.gov.

If you know how to search it properly, SAM.gov becomes less of an overwhelming database and more of a strategic intelligence tool. In this walkthrough, I want to break down how I approach SAM.gov searches, how I filter out noise, and how I use early-stage notices to stay ahead of opportunities instead of reacting at the last minute.

Everything Starts (and Ends) on SAM.gov

SAM.gov is the federal government’s official procurement platform. It’s where agencies post:

• Requests for Information (RFIs)

• Sources Sought notices

• Presolicitations

• Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

• Requests for Quotes (RFQs)

• Award notices

The important thing to understand is this: you don’t need multiple systems to get started. You also don’t even need to sign in initially to search opportunities.

That alone removes a huge barrier for businesses that are just beginning to explore federal contracting.

Understanding the Difference: Sources Sought vs. Solicitations

Before you search anything, you need clarity on what you’re looking at.

Sources Sought notices are not contracts.
They are market research tools.

Agencies use them to:

• See who exists in the market

• Assess small business capability

• Determine set-aside eligibility

• Shape future solicitation requirements

When I respond to a sources sought, I’m not trying to “win.” I’m trying to influence.

Solicitations—RFPs and RFQs—come later. Those are formal requests where proposals or quotes are evaluated and contracts are awarded.

If you only chase solicitations, you’re late to the conversation.

How I Start a Smart Search on SAM.gov

When I search for opportunities, I never just type a keyword and hope for the best. I use filters deliberately to narrow the field to opportunities that actually matter.

Here’s how I approach it.

1. Filter by Notice Type

First, I select the type of notice I want to see:

• Sources Sought

• Presolicitations

• RFPs

• RFQs

If I want to get ahead of the market, I prioritize sources sought. If I’m ready to compete now, I look at active solicitations.

2. Filter by Response Due Date

Timing matters.

I usually filter for opportunities due within the next 90 days. Anything beyond that is either too early or not actionable yet. Anything already expired isn’t worth my time.

This single filter eliminates most of the clutter.

3. Use Keywords Strategically

Keywords are essential—especially if you offer:

• Emerging technology

• New services

• Niche capabilities

Not everything fits neatly into government codes. Keyword searches help surface opportunities that haven’t been cleanly categorized yet.

I recommend experimenting with variations and industry language the government might use—not just how you describe your service.

4. Narrow by PSC and NAICS Codes

If you already know your Product Service Codes (PSC) or NAICS codes, these filters become powerful.

They allow you to:

• Focus on buying behavior, not guesses

• See patterns across agencies

• Track repeat purchases

These codes are how the government organizes spending history, so learning them gives you a huge advantage.

5. Use Set-Aside Filters to Reduce Competition

One of the most underused features on SAM.gov is the set-aside filter.

You can filter opportunities restricted to:

• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

• Woman-Owned Small Businesses

• Small Businesses generally

• HUBZone firms

These filters dramatically change the competitive landscape. Instead of competing against everyone, you’re competing against businesses like yours—by design.

Why I Watch Sources Sought Every Single Week

Sources sought are where smart contractors win before proposals exist.

When you respond early, you:

• Educate the government on your capability

• Influence how requirements are written

• Help shape whether a contract is set aside

• Become a known vendor before evaluation starts

This is relationship-building in written form.

I tell businesses all the time: if you’re only responding to RFPs, you’re already behind.

Location Filters Matter More Than People Realize

SAM.gov allows filtering by place of performance—state, county, even ZIP code.

This is critical if:

• You operate regionally

• Logistics matter

• Workforce availability is local

• Travel costs affect pricing

Targeting by geography saves time and aligns opportunities with operational reality.

Why Signing In Is Worth It

You can search SAM.gov without logging in—but signing in unlocks real efficiency.

Once logged in, you can:

• Save searches

• Track opportunities

• Get alerts when new notices appear

• Monitor updates and amendments

For anyone serious about government contracting, this turns SAM.gov into a living pipeline instead of a static website.

Using Presolicitations and Award Notices as Intelligence

Presolicitations give you early warning that something is coming—even before sources sought in some cases.

Award notices tell you:

• Who won

• How much they were awarded

• Which agency bought

• What contract vehicle was used

This data helps you:

• Identify future primes

• Understand pricing ranges

• Spot re-compete timelines

• Learn agency buying habits

This is how you stop guessing and start planning.

Government Contracting Is About Awareness, Not Speed

The businesses that succeed in federal contracting aren’t the fastest responders—they’re the most informed.

They know:

• What’s coming

• Who’s buying

• How decisions are made

• When to engage and when to wait

SAM.gov gives you that visibility—if you use it intentionally.

Final Thoughts

SAM.gov isn’t just a place to download RFPs. It’s a market intelligence platform hiding in plain sight.

When you understand how to:

• Filter properly

• Monitor sources sought

• Track awards

• Focus on timing and relationships

You stop chasing contracts—and start positioning for them.

That’s how government contracting becomes strategic instead of overwhelming.

If you want, I can next:

• Turn this into a step-by-step beginner tutorial

• Expand it into a full SAM.gov search playbook

• Add a soft CTA for GovClose

• Or rewrite it for LinkedIn, YouTube, or email

Just tell me where you want it to live.

👉 Learn more about starting your consulting business at GovClose.com

👉 Hire a GovClose-Trained Consultant here: https://match.govclose.com

👉Get Weekly Government Contracting Business Tips: https://federalytics.substack.com

👉 Explore the GovClose Certification Program for step-by-step training

👉 Follow me on LinkedIn for free live training and Q&A