The Short Answer

The easiest government contracts to get are micro-purchases under $10,000 -- agencies can buy directly from any registered vendor without competitive bidding, proposals, or past performance requirements. You just need a SAM.gov registration and a UEI number.

Beyond micro-purchases, the next easiest paths are simplified acquisitions ($10K-$250K), 8(a) sole source awards (up to $4.5M without competition), and subcontracting under large prime contracts.

Here are the 7 easiest entry points, ranked by difficulty:

1. Micro-Purchases (Under $10,000)

Difficulty: Lowest

Agencies can purchase goods and services under $10,000 using a government purchase card (GPC) without any formal solicitation. There is no competition requirement.

**What you need:** SAM.gov registration, UEI, ability to accept credit card payments

**How to get them:** Contact agency small business offices directly, list on GSA Advantage, attend industry days

**Average timeline:** Same day to 2 weeks

**Annual volume:** The government makes 30M+ micro-purchases per year totaling $20B+

This is how most new contractors get their first federal dollar.

2. Simplified Acquisitions ($10K - $250K)

Difficulty: Low

The simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) is $250,000. Below this threshold, agencies use streamlined procedures with less paperwork and faster timelines.

**What you need:** SAM.gov registration, basic capability statement, past performance (commercial counts)

**How to get them:** Monitor SAM.gov opportunities, respond to combined synopses/solicitations

**Average timeline:** 2-6 weeks from solicitation to award

**Key advantage:** Agencies set aside simplified acquisitions for small businesses when two or more qualified small businesses can perform the work (Rule of Two)

3. 8(a) Sole Source Awards (Up to $4.5M)

Difficulty: Low (if you have 8(a) certification)

8(a) certified firms can receive sole source awards up to $4.5M ($7M for manufacturing) without any competition. The agency just awards directly to you.

**What you need:** Active 8(a) certification from SBA

**How to get them:** Build relationships with agency contracting officers and small business specialists

**Average timeline:** 4-8 weeks

**Key advantage:** No competition. The agency picks you and awards the contract.

4. Subcontracting Under Prime Contracts

Difficulty: Low-Medium

Large prime contractors (Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen, Leidos) are required to subcontract a percentage of work to small businesses. You do not need to win the prime contract -- you partner with someone who already has one.

**What you need:** Capability statement, relevant past performance, small business certification

**How to get them:** Attend matchmaking events, search prime contractor supplier portals, contact SBA

**Average timeline:** Varies by prime

**Key advantage:** The prime handles the proposal. You just deliver your scope.

5. GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)

Difficulty: Medium

A GSA Schedule is a pre-approved contract vehicle that lets agencies buy from you without a full competition. Once you are on schedule, agencies can place orders directly.

**What you need:** GSA Schedule application, 2+ years commercial sales history, established pricing

**How to get them:** Apply through GSA eOffer, negotiate rates, maintain the schedule

**Average timeline:** 6-12 months to get on schedule, then ongoing orders

**Annual volume:** $40B+ flows through GSA Schedules annually

6. Set-Aside Contracts (SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone)

Difficulty: Medium

Federal agencies set aside contracts exclusively for certified small businesses. Competition is limited to your certification category only.

| Certification | Annual Set-Aside Volume | Sole Source Limit |

|--------------|------------------------|-------------------|

| 8(a) | $37B+ | $4.5M |

| SDVOSB | $28B+ | $4.5M |

| WOSB/EDWOSB | $30B+ | $4.5M |

| HUBZone | $13B+ | $4.5M |

**What you need:** Relevant SBA certification + SAM.gov registration

**How to get them:** [Fed-Spend Set-Aside Scanner](/set-aside) identifies all set-aside opportunities by type

7. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Difficulty: Medium

BPAs are simplified ordering agreements that let agencies make repeat purchases from you without re-competing each time. Once established, orders flow with minimal paperwork.

**What you need:** GSA Schedule or other contract vehicle, competitive pricing

**How to get them:** Respond to BPA solicitations, demonstrate competitive pricing and reliability

**Average timeline:** 3-6 months to establish, then recurring orders

What Makes a Contract "Easy" vs "Hard"?

| Factor | Easy | Hard |

|--------|------|------|

| **Dollar value** | Under $250K | Over $10M |

| **Competition** | Set-aside or sole source | Full and open |

| **Past performance** | Commercial experience accepted | Federal experience required |

| **Proposal length** | 5-20 pages | 200+ pages |

| **Timeline** | 2-8 weeks | 6-18 months |

| **Security clearance** | None required | TS/SCI required |

FAQ

What are the easiest government contracts to get?

Micro-purchases under $10,000 are the easiest -- agencies buy directly with a purchase card and no competition. Simplified acquisitions under $250K, 8(a) sole source awards, and subcontracting are the next easiest paths. New contractors should start with micro-purchases and GSA Schedule listings to build past performance.

Can I get a government contract with no experience?

Yes. Micro-purchases and simplified acquisitions accept commercial past performance. You do not need prior federal contracts. Start small, deliver well, and use that performance to pursue larger opportunities.

How long does it take to get your first government contract?

With SAM.gov registration (1-2 weeks) and active outreach to agency buyers, you can receive a micro-purchase within 30 days. Simplified acquisitions take 2-6 weeks from solicitation to award. GSA Schedule takes 6-12 months.

[Find your easiest entry point →](/search)

[Scan set-aside opportunities →](/set-aside)

The Short Answer

Here are the 7 easiest entry points, ranked by difficulty:

1. Micro-Purchases (Under $10,000)

Difficulty: Lowest

Agencies can purchase goods and services under $10,000 using a government purchase card (GPC) without any formal solicitation. There is no competition requirement.

**What you need:** SAM.gov registration, UEI, ability to accept credit card payments

**How to get them:** Contact agency small business offices directly, list on GSA Advantage, attend industry days

**Average timeline:** Same day to 2 weeks

**Annual volume:** The government makes 30M+ micro-purchases per year totaling $20B+

This is how most new contractors get their first federal dollar.

2. Simplified Acquisitions ($10K - $250K)

Difficulty: Low

The simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) is $250,000. Below this threshold, agencies use streamlined procedures with less paperwork and faster timelines.

**What you need:** SAM.gov registration, basic capability statement, past performance (commercial counts)

**How to get them:** Monitor SAM.gov opportunities, respond to combined synopses/solicitations

**Average timeline:** 2-6 weeks from solicitation to award

**Key advantage:** Agencies set aside simplified acquisitions for small businesses when two or more qualified small businesses can perform the work (Rule of Two)

3. 8(a) Sole Source Awards (Up to $4.5M)

Difficulty: Low (if you have 8(a) certification)

8(a) certified firms can receive sole source awards up to $4.5M ($7M for manufacturing) without any competition. The agency just awards directly to you.

**What you need:** Active 8(a) certification from SBA

**How to get them:** Build relationships with agency contracting officers and small business specialists

**Average timeline:** 4-8 weeks

**Key advantage:** No competition. The agency picks you and awards the contract.

4. Subcontracting Under Prime Contracts

Difficulty: Low-Medium

**What you need:** Capability statement, relevant past performance, small business certification

**How to get them:** Attend matchmaking events, search prime contractor supplier portals, contact SBA

**Average timeline:** Varies by prime

**Key advantage:** The prime handles the proposal. You just deliver your scope.

5. GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)

Difficulty: Medium

A GSA Schedule is a pre-approved contract vehicle that lets agencies buy from you without a full competition. Once you are on schedule, agencies can place orders directly.

**What you need:** GSA Schedule application, 2+ years commercial sales history, established pricing

**How to get them:** Apply through GSA eOffer, negotiate rates, maintain the schedule

**Average timeline:** 6-12 months to get on schedule, then ongoing orders

**Annual volume:** $40B+ flows through GSA Schedules annually

6. Set-Aside Contracts (SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone)

Difficulty: Medium

Federal agencies set aside contracts exclusively for certified small businesses. Competition is limited to your certification category only.

| Certification | Annual Set-Aside Volume | Sole Source Limit |

|--------------|------------------------|-------------------|

| 8(a) | $37B+ | $4.5M |

| SDVOSB | $28B+ | $4.5M |

| WOSB/EDWOSB | $30B+ | $4.5M |

| HUBZone | $13B+ | $4.5M |

**What you need:** Relevant SBA certification + SAM.gov registration

**How to get them:** [Fed-Spend Set-Aside Scanner](/set-aside) identifies all set-aside opportunities by type

7. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Difficulty: Medium

BPAs are simplified ordering agreements that let agencies make repeat purchases from you without re-competing each time. Once established, orders flow with minimal paperwork.

**What you need:** GSA Schedule or other contract vehicle, competitive pricing

**How to get them:** Respond to BPA solicitations, demonstrate competitive pricing and reliability

**Average timeline:** 3-6 months to establish, then recurring orders

What Makes a Contract "Easy" vs "Hard"?

| Factor | Easy | Hard |

|--------|------|------|

| **Dollar value** | Under $250K | Over $10M |

| **Competition** | Set-aside or sole source | Full and open |

| **Past performance** | Commercial experience accepted | Federal experience required |

| **Proposal length** | 5-20 pages | 200+ pages |

| **Timeline** | 2-8 weeks | 6-18 months |

| **Security clearance** | None required | TS/SCI required |

FAQ

What are the easiest government contracts to get?

Can I get a government contract with no experience?

How long does it take to get your first government contract?

[Find your easiest entry point →](/search)

[Scan set-aside opportunities →](/set-aside)

What Are the Easiest Government Contracts to Get? 7 Entry Points for New Contractors (2026)

The Short Answer

1. Micro-Purchases (Under $10,000)

2. Simplified Acquisitions ($10K - $250K)

3. 8(a) Sole Source Awards (Up to $4.5M)

4. Subcontracting Under Prime Contracts

5. GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)

6. Set-Aside Contracts (SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone)

7. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

What Makes a Contract "Easy" vs "Hard"?

FAQ

What are the easiest government contracts to get?

Can I get a government contract with no experience?

How long does it take to get your first government contract?

Ready to Find Your Next Contract?

What Are the Easiest Government Contracts to Get? 7 Entry Points for New Contractors (2026)

The Short Answer

1. Micro-Purchases (Under $10,000)

2. Simplified Acquisitions ($10K - $250K)

3. 8(a) Sole Source Awards (Up to $4.5M)

4. Subcontracting Under Prime Contracts

5. GSA Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule)

6. Set-Aside Contracts (SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone)

7. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

What Makes a Contract "Easy" vs "Hard"?

FAQ

What are the easiest government contracts to get?

Can I get a government contract with no experience?

How long does it take to get your first government contract?

Ready to Find Your Next Contract?