Small Business · Government Contracts

You built the skill.
Produce for the nation.

If you can machine a part, weld a joint, or fabricate a bracket — our nation is your largest potential customer through government contracting. Most small shops don't know how close they already are to winning contracts. This guide bridges that gap.

Get Your CAGE Code See a Real Example
The opportunity
🏭
$700B+
Federal contracts awarded annually
🔩
23%
Set aside for small business by law
📋
Free
SAM.gov registration costs nothing
⏱
3–5 days
To get your CAGE code activated
⚠️
Straight talk first: Government contracting is not a shortcut — it takes time, paperwork, and realistic self-assessment. This page is built for small shops and independent machinists who want to understand the process honestly, identify what they can actually win, and avoid wasting bids on contracts they're not equipped to fulfill.
Step-by-Step

Getting registered: SAM.gov & your CAGE code

These four steps are the foundation. You cannot receive a federal contract payment without completing all of them. The good news: it's free and you can do it yourself.

01
Get a UEI Number
Go to SAM.gov and create a free account. You'll receive a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — this replaced the old DUNS number. You need a legal business name and address. Sole proprietors qualify.
sam.gov · Free · 30 min
02
Register in SAM.gov
Complete your full entity registration. You'll choose NAICS codes (manufacturing codes like 332710 for machine shops, 332999 for fabricated metal). This tells buyers what you make. Register your bank account for direct payment.
Annual renewal required
03
Receive Your CAGE Code
Once SAM registration is complete, the DoD assigns you a 5-character CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code. This is your permanent government contractor ID. It stays with your business for life.
3–5 business days
04
Start Searching Contracts
Use SAM.gov Opportunities to search by NAICS code, location, and contract size. Filter for set-asides (small business, veteran-owned, woman-owned). Start with contracts under $25K — simplified acquisition, less competition.
sam.gov/opportunities
📌

Important: Avoid any paid service that offers to "register you in SAM.gov" for a fee. SAM.gov registration is 100% free directly from the government. Scam services target new registrants. Only use sam.gov directly.

What you need before you start

✓
Legal business name (LLC, sole prop, corporation)
✓
Physical business address (no PO boxes)
✓
EIN (Federal Tax ID) — free from IRS.gov
✓
Bank account + routing number for payments
✓
NAICS code(s) that describe your work
✓
Basic business financials (revenue, employees)
Real-World Analysis

What a real contract looks like — and how to evaluate it

Here are three example solicitations similar to what a small machine shop or fabricator would find on SAM.gov. We've analyzed each one the way you should: drawings, machining time, margin, and realistic win probability.

✓ Realistic Win
Aluminum Bracket, 6061-T6, QTY 50
Dept. of the Army · Fort Devens, MA · Simplified Acquisition
$8,400
Total award value
Technical Drawing — Bracket Assembly (simplified)
4.25" 3.75" ±0.005" 6061-T6 Anodize Clr QTY: 50
Material6061-T6 Aluminum (common, cheap stock)
Tolerances±0.005" — standard CNC, no issues
Est. machine time~22 min/part × 50 = 18.3 hrs
Material cost~$2.80/part = $140 total
Your price/part$168 → margin ~$4,900 after material + time
Finish requiredClear anodize — need vendor or in-house
Win probability
78%
2–3 competitors typical
⚠ Evaluate Carefully
Stainless Manifold, 316L, QTY 12
Navy Surface Warfare Center · Dahlgren, VA
$31,200
Total award value
Technical Drawing — Manifold Body (simplified)
1/2" NPT 3/4" NPT 316L SS ±0.002" Ra 32μin Passivate QTY: 12
Material316L Stainless (expensive, hard to machine)
Tolerances±0.002" — tight, needs quality setup
Est. machine time~3.5 hrs/part × 12 = 42 hrs
Material cost~$180/part = $2,160 total
Surface finishRa 32μin + passivation required
RiskInternal passages: high scrap risk
Win probability
42%
Only bid if you've done passivation before
✗ Skip This One
Titanium Structural Frame, Ti-6Al-4V
Air Force Research Lab · Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
$187,000
Total award value
Why this one will hurt you
Ti-6Al-4V Frame ITAR CONTROLLED · Export License Required AS9100 Certification Required · NDT Inspection
MaterialTi-6Al-4V — destroys tooling, specialized coolant
CertificationsAS9100D required — years to obtain
ITARExport control registration + compliance burden
InspectionNDT (x-ray/ultrasonic) — specialized equipment
Bond requiredPerformance bond likely — $50K+ out of pocket
Reality5–8 established defense contractors will bid this
Win probability
4%
Build to this over 3–5 years
✓ Realistic Win
Steel Weldment, Mild Steel, QTY 20
Army Corps of Engineers · New England District
$14,600
Total award value
Technical Drawing — Steel Weldment Frame (simplified)
⌒ ⌒ ⌒ A36 Steel ±1/16" AWS D1.1 Primer coat QTY: 20 24.00"
MaterialA36 mild steel (cheapest, easiest to source)
Tolerances±1/16" — standard fab, no CNC needed
Weld standardAWS D1.1 — get certified if you aren't
Est. fab time~2.5 hrs/unit × 20 = 50 hrs
Material cost~$48/unit = $960 total
FinishPrimer coat — standard rattle can or spray
Win probability
71%
Perfect small-business entry point
The Decision Framework

How to know if you can realistically win

Before spending time on a bid, run every solicitation through these three filters. If it fails any one, move on.

🔩
Can you actually make it?
Pull the drawing. Can your current equipment hit the tolerances? Do you have the material on hand or can you source it locally? If you need to buy a new machine or hire a specialist to fulfill one contract, your margin disappears. Start with work that fits your current capability, not your aspiration.
📊
Does the math work?
Estimate machine time, material cost, and overhead. A $10,000 contract that takes 80 hours of shop time at your hourly rate may lose money. Use this formula: (Award Value − Material Cost) ÷ Estimated Hours = Effective Hourly Rate. If that number is below your target rate, don't bid.
🏆
Can you compete on price?
Look up past awards for similar contracts on USASpending.gov. See what others charged. If established shops with volume purchasing are on this contract, you will be underpriced. Target contracts where you have a geographic, speed, or specialization advantage — especially jobs under $25K with simplified acquisition thresholds.
Partner With GHE

We already have the system in place. Let's share the work.

Gavi Hand Enterprise is a registered federal contractor with an active CAGE code, SAM.gov registration, and established vendor relationships. We have tooling, trained technicians, and contracting experience. If you have shop capacity and skills but haven't navigated the contracting world yet — we can partner on bids together.

  • We handle the paperwork, compliance, and bid submission
  • You provide the machining, fabrication, or assembly capacity
  • Revenue is split by contribution — no middleman markup
  • We mentor you through your own SAM registration while we work together
  • Teaming agreements available — protects your IP and terms
  • Ideal for sole proprietors, small shops, and skilled tradespeople in southeastern MA

Talk to a GHE representative

We'll review what you can make, what equipment you have, and identify contracts worth pursuing together. No cost, no obligation.

📞 (774) 777-1001
Mon–Fri · 9 AM–5 PM ET · Hanson, MA
Email [email protected] View Partnership Levels →

Gavi Hand Enterprise, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Federal contractor · CAGE code on file · NAICS 811212, 611420