Navigating the new fbo.gov website: beta.sam.gov

Whether you’re new to government contracting or you’ve been doing it for a while, there are some new steps you need to take to thoroughly research your opportunities. A recently launched website now serves as the official point of entry for all government contracts valued at more than $25,000. Anyone interested in doing business with the government can use beta.sam.gov for researching government contracting opportunities.

 

The New Process

The move is due to a consolidation of 10 federal government websites — including fbo.gov. As a result, the new process will provide better security, data quality, and convenience for users. Furthermore, the change will reduce barriers for doing business with the government, reduce reporting burden, and increase transparency into federal spending.

Each contract opportunity found in the new website provides the following information:

  • The original notice and any related notices
  • A notice history that includes updates and tracking changes
  • Any related attachments or external links
  • Instructions on how to submit a response, offer, or proposal
  • The date on which responses are due
  • And more.

Other items listed on beta.sam.gov include additional notices, small business events, and vendor collaboration opportunities.

 

Helpful Hints for fbo.gov Users

If your business was previously using fbo.gov to find solicitations, here are a few hints to help you navigate the new website:

  1. You do not need to re-register your business in beta.sam.gov.
  2. You do need to create a new beta.sam.gov user account if you want to use the following features:
    • When you click “save search,” a box will appear asking you to name your search. Once the search is named, you can save it and it will be accessible in your work space.
    • If you’re interested in receiving updates for a notice, sign in and select “follow” on the top of an opportunity page. Any new updates to the opportunity will trigger a notification for any notice being followed. You can manage your followed items under work space in your profile.
  3. Search results default to active opportunities. You can include inactive (archived) opportunities by unchecking the “active status” filter on the left side navigation.
  4. The filters on the left rail are configurable. For instance, you might want to add “state” as a filter instead of “zip code.”
  5. If you have not entered a keyword, the results will display by the last updated date. If you enter a keyword, results will display by relevance, not date.
  6. To search for a six-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code or a four-digit Products and Service Code (PSC), enter the first two digits to view a drop-down menu of six- or four-digit codes and titles, respectively.
  7. To filter by a federal agency or department, go to the ‘Federal Organizations’ filter. If you know the Department/Independent agency or Sub-tier, simply enter the organization code or name into the text box. You can also select the advanced tab to first select the Department/Independent Agency and then search only the sub-tiers for that hierarchy.

 

Help is Available Researching Government Contracting Opportunities

If you would like assistance signing up for the new process or researching government contracting opportunities, contact your local Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network advisor by clicking here. All Wyoming SBDC Network services are completely confidential and offered at no cost to Wyoming residents.

 

About the Author: Andi enjoys helping business owners navigate the “bureaucratic quagmire” so that they can register and find government work. She has a background working for large Primes within the Department of Defense and is a former Lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. When she isn’t busy helping small businesses work with the government, Andi enjoys training young horses.

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