Where to Find More Information

Numerous free resources are available to businesses interested in selling their products or services to the government. No fees are associated with required steps such as obtaining an EIN or Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), registering in SAM or researching for opportunities and previous contract awards. This page contains links to websites where you may be required to register or where you can find more information on doing business with the government. These websites are just a few of the free resources and tools available to you.

When researching government contracting topics, we urge you to be cautious and, if a fee is charged for a service that interests you, make certain that you fully understand what you are purchasing. Generally, contracting with the government does not cost money. If you have questions, call an APEX Accelerator to determine whether similar services are available to you at no charge.

At Montana APEX we know that government contracting is complex. We also understand that the related information can be overwhelming.

We would be pleased to introduce you to the resources below, to guide you through the various registration processes, and to help you locate the information most pertinent to you. For personal, timely advice on government contracting, contact the APEX Accelerator nearest you.

Get down to business. 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a wide array of services to help Americans start, build and grow businesses. Find comprehensive information on topics such as business planning, size standards and small business classifications at  http://www.sba.gov

Establish your identity.

Apply for your free Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Employer-ID-Numbers-EINs

Obtain your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) through the System for Award Management (SAM) 

A UEI is required to register in SAM. All federal contractors or grantees must obtain a UEI and register in SAM. Click HERE to learn more. We recommend that you ask your APEX Advisor for assistance with the process.  

Crack the Codes. 

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code indicates a company’s line of business. You will need to enter your company’s NAICS code(s) in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.  Find your NAICS code(s) at https://www.census.gov/naics/

Register with SAM.

Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database is a requirement for anyone doing business with the federal government: SAM For more information about SAM and help with completing your registration, click on the Help tab on the menu bar near the top of SAM’s home page.  You will find Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Users’ Guides and Demonstration Videos. 

Take advantage of Free Training.

Working with APEX Accelerator advisors is always free of charge.  Another resource is Govology, a collaborative community dedicated to providing information to small businesses that want to work with the government. MT APEX clients have free access to Govology webinars and training videos. 

Follow the Money. 

To learn more about how and where the federal government spends money, check out http://usaspending.gov/ To find out how much money is spent in Montana, for example, type “Montana” into the search box at the top of the page and click “search.” On the next page, on the right-hand side you can choose from a number of filters, including: Type of Spending (grants, contract awards, loans, etc.), By Agency (who spent the money); By Recipient (who received the grant, award, etc.); By Product Service Code and By Principal NAICS Description (the type of products/services purchased). This is a great way to find out if the federal government buys what you have to sell.

Find Contract Opportunities on SAM.  

SAM is where you register your company to do business with the federal government, but it is also where you search for current opportunities, research previous awards, and sign up to have opportunities emailed to you. SAM is a government-sponsored Web site where agencies can publicly post opportunities over $25,000: https://sam.gov/content/home

Explore Montana.

On Montana’s official Web site, Montana.gov, visit the One Stop Vendor Information under the Business tab on the home page. At  http://vendor.mt.gov/default.mcpx  you can learn how to do business with the state, explore current and recently closed opportunities, and register to have state opportunities emailed to you.