---
title: "Blog, GovInbox"
description: "Plain-English guides to federal contracting from GovInbox: set-asides, SAM.gov notices, certifications, and how to decide whether to bid."
canonical: "https://getgovinbox.com/blog/"
---
GovInbox Blog

# Federal contracting, in plain English

Guides to set-asides, SAM.gov notices, certifications, and deciding whether to bid.

      [![](images/set-aside-contracts-expiring-soon/01-hero.webp)

## How can I look up which set-aside contracts expire soon using GovInbox?

A set-aside expiring in 5 days needs different attention than one with 5 months. Here is how GovInbox sorts notices by deadline so nothing slips.](set-aside-contracts-expiring-soon.html)
      [![](images/grants-and-contracts-together/01-hero.webp)

## Can GovInbox help me chase grants and contracts at the same time?

Contracts and grants are two pipelines into the same building. Here is how GovInbox searches both in one call, and how the short and long pipelines fit together.](grants-and-contracts-together.html)
      [![](images/how-to-look-up-set-aside-contracts/01-hero.webp)

## How can I look up set-aside contracts using GovInbox?

Set-aside contracts live on SAM.gov, but finding yours means sorting by type, trade code, place of performance, and deadline. Here is how GovInbox does the lookup.](how-can-i-look-up-set-aside-contracts.html)
      [![](images/how-do-i-connect-govinbox-to-chatgpt/01-hero.webp)

## How do I connect GovInbox to ChatGPT?

You subscribed. Good. Now you want to ask GovInbox questions inside ChatGPT, in plain words, without opening another tab.](how-do-i-connect-govinbox-to-chatgpt.html)
      [![](images/what-is-purchase-history-research/01-hero.webp)

## What is purchase history research?

Before you bid, find out who won last time and what the agency paid. Here is how purchase history research works, and how GovInbox does it.](what-is-purchase-history-research.html)
      [![](images/what-is-a-federal-set-aside/01-hero.png)

## What is a federal set-aside?

Yes, there are federal contracts reserved for small businesses. The notice will tell you which businesses can compete.](what-is-a-federal-set-aside.html)
      [![](images/how-to-read-a-sam-notice/01-hero.png)

## How to read a SAM.gov notice

A notice title can sound like your work while the documents tell a different story. Before you spend time on an offer, find the eligibility rules and the exact](how-to-read-a-sam-notice.html)
      [![](images/what-naics-code-do-i-need/01-hero.png)

## What NAICS code do I actually need?

Start with the work customers pay you to do.](what-naics-code-do-i-need.html)
      [![](images/how-set-aside-certification-works/01-hero.png)

## How set-aside certification works

A total small business set-aside generally relies on your firm's statement that it meets the size rules. The special Small Business Administration (SBA) program](how-set-aside-certification-works.html)
      [![](images/sdvosb-explained/01-hero.png)

## SDVOSB explained: who qualifies and what it unlocks

If you are a service-disabled veteran who owns a business, SDVOSB certification is worth checking.](sdvosb-explained.html)
      [![](images/how-to-track-an-agency/01-hero.png)

## How to track an agency that buys what you sell

Start with one agency and one industry code. You will learn more from reading that small set of notices closely than from collecting a long list you never open.](how-to-track-an-agency.html)
      [![](images/how-to-respond-to-sources-sought/01-hero.png)

## How to respond to a sources-sought notice

A sources-sought notice asks a simple question: which businesses could do this work?](how-to-respond-to-sources-sought.html)
      [![](images/sam-gov-registration/01-hero.png)

## SAM.gov registration: UEI, CAGE, and keeping your status active

You found a federal contract that fits your business. Before you work on the response, check whether the government can award a contract to your company.](sam-gov-registration.html)
      [![](images/should-you-bid/01-hero.png)

## Should you bid? A checklist for your first opportunity

A notice matches your line of work. The deadline is still open. You can already picture your company doing the job.](should-you-bid.html)
      [![](images/rfp-vs-rfq-vs-ifb/01-hero.png)

## RFP vs RFQ vs IFB: what the solicitation type tells you

The government wants to buy something your company sells. Then you see a label: RFP, RFQ, or IFB.](rfp-vs-rfq-vs-ifb.html)
      [![](images/reading-a-statement-of-work/01-hero.png)

## How to read a Statement of Work without missing the trap clauses

A job title can sound familiar. The work behind it may be much bigger than you expected.](reading-a-statement-of-work.html)
      [![](images/contract-vehicles/01-hero.png)

## Contract vehicles explained: IDIQ, GWAC, BPA

You find work that fits your company. Then the notice says responses are limited to holders of a particular contract.](contract-vehicles.html)
      [![](images/teaming-agreements/01-hero.png)

## Teaming agreements 101: when to partner instead of prime

The opportunity fits your skills. One part of the job does not.](teaming-agreements.html)
      [![](images/past-performance-from-zero/01-hero.png)

## Past performance from zero: how new firms build credibility

Your company is new. The solicitation asks for past performance.](past-performance-from-zero.html)
      [![](images/debriefs/01-hero.png)

## What to do when you lose: getting a real debrief

The award notice says another firm won.](debriefs.html)
      [![](images/amendments/01-hero.png)

## Amendments: why the notice you saved isn’t the one you’re bidding

You save a notice and start the response. A week later, the buyer changes the pricing sheet.](amendments.html)
      [![](images/subcontracting/01-hero.png)

## Subcontracting: finding work under someone else’s prime

You can perform federal contract work without holding the government’s contract yourself.](subcontracting.html)
      [![](images/fpds-basics/01-hero.png)

## How to research who’s already winning: FPDS basics in SAM.gov

Before bidding on a new opportunity, look at what the agency bought before.](fpds-basics.html)
      [![](images/capability-statements/01-hero.png)

## The one-page capability statement

A buyer asks what your company does. You could send a website link and hope they find the right page.](capability-statements.html)
      [![](images/gsa-schedule/01-hero.png)

## Do I need a GSA Schedule?

Someone tells you that getting a GSA Schedule is the next step after registering in SAM.gov.](gsa-schedule.html)
      [![](images/vosb-explained/01-hero.png)

## VOSB explained: who qualifies and what the VA's Vets First program unlocks

You own a business and served in the military. What does VOSB status actually get you?](vosb-explained.html)