SAM.gov workflow guide

Free SAM.gov alerts tell you what changed. A capture desk tells you what to do next.

SAM.gov is the official public source for federal contract opportunities. The hard part for small contractors is turning notices into a disciplined weekly pursuit queue.

What SAM.gov Alerts Are Good For

SAM.gov contract opportunities are public procurement notices from federal contracting offices. The opportunity record can help you watch pre-solicitations, solicitations, award notices, and sole-source notices. That source layer matters, and BidDesk OS does not pretend the data is private.

Official source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities.

Where Alerts Usually Break Down

  • Too many notices match broad keywords or NAICS codes.
  • Notices do not automatically explain whether your company should bid.
  • Attachments, deadlines, clauses, and evaluation factors still need review.
  • A founder may see alerts but still lack a weekly decision rhythm.

What A Managed Capture Desk Adds

  • Client-specific saved searches and source monitoring.
  • Bid/no-bid scoring tied to capability, proof, deadline, value, and compliance risk.
  • Directional value estimates from public comparable awards and confidence bands.
  • Compliance matrix starters, question lists, workback plans, and approval records.
  • Client dashboard delivery so the owner can see what was reviewed, rejected, and prepared.