Federal Contracting 101: How to Sell to the Government and Get Registered (on demand)

THIS IS A RECORDING OF A WEBINAR FROM 8/20/26

The U.S. Federal Government is the world’s largest customer - and small businesses are a critical part of its supply chain. But breaking into federal contracting can feel overwhelming without a roadmap.

The Government Contracting Foundations Series is designed for small businesses that are curious about federal work but don’t know where to start. With these monthly webinars, you’ll learn the basics step by step: how the government buys, how to register, what certifications mean, how to define your company’s capabilities, and what infrastructure you need in place to compete.

Whether you’re a one-person shop or a growing business, this series gives you practical, no-nonsense guidance to help you decide if federal contracting is right for you and how to get started the right way.

Note: These sessions are focused on federal contracting - how to do business with U.S. federal agencies. While some concepts may apply broadly, this series is not designed for companies pursuing state or local government contracts.

• Thu Sep 17, 2026 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 2: Small Business Certifications: Unlocking Special Advantages
• Thu Oct 15, 2026 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 3: Using Your Past Work Performance to Win Government Trust
• Thu Nov 19, 2026 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 4: Finding Which Government Agencies Need Your Products or Services
• Thu Dec 17, 2026 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 5: Capability Statements: Your One-Page Business Pitch for the Government
• Thu Jan 21, 2027 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 6: Federal Sales Cycle: Understanding The Government Timeline to Make a Sale
• Thu, Feb 18, 2027 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 7: Setting Up for Contracting Success: Tools and Systems You Need
• Thu, Mar 18, 2027 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET Foundations Session 8: People Side of Government Sales: Building Relationships, Connecting with Buyers

Session 1 – Introduction to Federal Contracting
Discover what federal contracting is and why it matters for small businesses.
We’ll break down how the government buys goods and services, explain NAICS codes in plain language, and walk you through registering in SAM.gov and Matchforce.org. This session is your first step toward opening the door to the $600+ billion federal marketplace.

Reena Bhatia of the NC Military Business Center at Wake Tech will provide a basic overview of essential topics.