Government contracting, in plain terms.
Practical, no-jargon guides to winning and delivering government work — federal, state, and local. Written by the team at Mansa Gov, a SAM.gov-registered small, minority-owned contractor.
What is the "Rule of Two" in federal contracting?
The mechanic behind most small-business set-asides: if two or more small businesses can compete at fair prices, the contracting officer must set the acquisition aside. How it works — and how you help trigger it.
July 14, 2026 · 7 min read Federal · Micro-PurchasesMicro-purchases: the $15K door into government sales
Below $15,000, buys skip competition entirely and go straight to a purchase card. It's the least visible, least competed channel in government contracting — and the fastest way to a first government dollar.
April 22, 2026 · 6 min read Federal · Security ClearancesDo you need a security clearance to win a federal contract?
Short answer: usually no. Most federal work is unclassified. What clearances actually are, why you can't get one on your own, and what you need instead.
February 19, 2026 · 6 min read Federal · NAICS CodesWhat NAICS code should my small business use?
NAICS codes set your size standard and which set-asides apply, and each solicitation lists exactly one. How to pick the handful that fit — and why the obvious code is often the wrong one.
November 4, 2025 · 6 min read Federal · CertificationsWhat government contracting certifications are worth getting?
Small business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, and SDVOSB — which ones are worth pursuing, how to decide, and why a certification is a competitive moat, not paperwork.
June 23, 2025 · 7 min read Federal · SubcontractingHow a Small Business Wins Its First Federal Subcontract
Subcontracting is the most realistic on-ramp into federal work for a new small business. Here's the step-by-step path — from SAM.gov registration to finding primes, pitching a subcontracting liaison, and building past performance.
March 11, 2025 · 9 min read Federal · Sources SoughtWhat is a sources sought notice — and how to respond?
Pre-solicitation market research, not a bid. Why responding can trigger a small-business set-aside, how to respond well, and where to find these notices on SAM.gov.
December 2, 2024 · 6 min read Federal · Business DevelopmentWhat is a capability statement for government contracting?
The single most-requested document in early federal business development. What a capability statement is, the five blocks it needs, and the mistakes that quietly kill opportunities.
September 17, 2024 · 6 min read