Outrider Blog
Win Government Contracts.
With Better Intel.
Actionable strategies for tech companies navigating federal procurement — from SBIR proposals to competitive intelligence.
How the DIU Commercial Solutions Opening Actually Works
A practical breakdown of DIU's Commercial Solutions Opening — how it differs from traditional procurement, what makes a strong submission, and why it matters for commercial tech companies.
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28 articles
How to Respond to a Government RFI (And Why Most Companies Get It Wrong)
Government RFIs and Sources Sought notices aren't competitions — they're opportunities to shape the requirements in your favor. Here's how to respond strategically.
Read →Government Contracting 101: Every Acronym Explained
Your complete beginner's guide to federal government contracting. Learn the essential acronyms (SAM, FAR, IDIQ, RFP), how the buying process works, contract types, small business programs, and your step-by-step action plan to start winning federal contracts today.
Read →Federal Budget Cycle: When Government Agencies Actually Buy
The federal budget cycle dictates when agencies spend, when they're receptive to pitches, and when your proposals matter most. Here's the calendar every government vendor needs to understand.
Read →Set-Aside Contracts: The Small Business Advantage in Federal Procurements
How set-aside contracts work, which certifications unlock them, and why small businesses have a structural advantage in federal procurement that most never use.
Read →NAICS Codes: How to Pick the Right Ones for Government Contracts
NAICS codes determine which contracts you can bid on and whether you qualify as a 'small business.' Here's how to pick the right ones — and why getting this wrong can cost you millions.
Read →How to Write a Winning SBIR Proposal (With Real Examples)
The practical guide to SBIR proposals that actually win — from structuring your technical approach to avoiding the mistakes that sink 90% of first-time applicants.
Read →SBIR vs STTR: Which Program Is Right for Your Company?
A clear-eyed comparison of SBIR and STTR programs — who they're for, how they differ, and how to pick the one that gives your company the best shot at federal R&D funding.
Read →SAM.gov for Beginners: Registration, Search, and Competitive Intelligence
Complete step-by-step guide to registering your company on SAM.gov (System for Award Management), the mandatory federal system for all government contracts. Covers why registration is legally required, documents needed, registration walkthrough, common errors and fixes, maintaining your profile, and how to search for $655+ billion in annual federal contracting opportunities.
Read →How to Sell to the U.S. Government: The Complete Guide for Tech Companies
Learn the complete process to register, find federal opportunities, and win government tech contracts. Essential step-by-step guide for first-time vendors.
Read →Why We Built Outrider
Government buyers can't find innovative companies. Companies can't navigate government. We're building the bridge.
Read →Five Federal Programs Designed for Companies That Have Never Sold to Government
Five federal programs—SBIR, DIU, AFWERX, xTech, and GSA Schedule—were designed for companies with zero government experience.
Read →The DoD Spent Three Years Searching for a Solution You Already Built
The Pentagon built an entire ecosystem of innovation programs because its procurement tools can't find commercial solutions. Here's what's broken.
Read →What Your Competitor's SAM.gov Profile Tells You (That They Don't Want You to Know)
NAICS codes, award history, and certifications—your competitor's SAM.gov profile reveals more about their strategy than they realize.
Read →SBIR Phase III: The $4B Federal Pathway Nobody Talks About
Phase III contracts are sole-source eligible, unlimited in size, and open to any federal agency. Most SBIR winners never pursue them.
Read →The SAM.gov Search You Should Have Run (But Didn't Know Existed)
SAM.gov has award data, pre-solicitation signals, and competitive intel most companies never look at. Three searches to start with.
Read →Why Government Buyers Can't Find You (Even When You're Exactly What They Need)
Government buyers search by keyword. If your language doesn't match theirs, you're invisible—no matter how qualified you are.
Read →Your Government Customer Already Picked a Winner Before the RFP Dropped
By the time an RFP hits SAM.gov, the buying office already has a favorite. Here's how to be that favorite.
Read →The Ultimate Guide to Selling Technology to the U.S. Federal Government (2026)
Complete roadmap from registration to first contract. Covers SAM.gov, certifications, contract types, and proven pathways for tech companies entering federal procurement.
Read →SBIR Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
SBIR Phase I/II/III with 2026 reauthorization changes, budgets by agency, proposal process, and comparison with STTR and other federal programs.
Read →Federal Small Business Certifications: 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB Explained
Complete guide to SBA certifications that unlock set-aside contracts, contracting preferences, and direct agency access. Who qualifies, how to apply, benefits, and comparison.
Read →CMMC 2.0 Compliance Checklist for Small Businesses (2026)
Step-by-step CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 compliance checklist. Implementation costs, timeline, common pitfalls, and why small DoD vendors must prioritize this.
Read →GSA Schedule Application: Step-by-Step Guide for Tech Companies
Complete guide to getting on GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). Timeline (6-12 months), costs, required documents, pricing strategies, and post-award execution.
Read →Government Contract Types Explained: FFP, T&M, CPFF, IDIQ, BPA
Comprehensive comparison of all major federal contract types. When each is used, risk profiles, pricing models, and examples for tech companies.
Read →How to Find Government Contracts on SAM.gov (2026 Tutorial)
Step-by-step tutorial for searching SAM.gov opportunities. Boolean search syntax, saved searches, alert setup, and how to filter by agency, size, contract type.
Read →Government Capability Statement: Template, Examples & What Agencies Want to See
Master the 7 essential sections of a government capability statement. Learn design principles, how to showcase past performance, include required identifiers (NAICS, CAGE, UEI), avoid common mistakes, and tailor for specific opportunities.
Read →Past Performance in Government Contracting: How to Build It From Zero
Strategies for winning without prior federal experience. Subcontracting, GSA Schedule, SBIR micro-purchases, and how to establish credibility quickly.
Read →Federal Procurement for Startups: How to Win Your First Government Contract
Startup-specific guide to federal contracting. Budget constraints, timeline expectations, best entry programs (SBIR, CSO, OTAs, micro-purchases), avoiding common mistakes, and realistic 12-month plan.
Read →Explore More Resources
Dive deeper into government contracting with our complete resource library.
Free Tools
7 interactive tools: readiness quiz, set-aside calculator, NAICS finder, capability statement builder, and more.
Agency Guides
How to sell to every major federal agency — DoD, NASA, DHS, VA, and more.
State Guides
How to sell to all 50 state governments. Eligibility, registration, certifications, and bidding rules.
NAICS Codes
30 common federal IT NAICS codes explained — size standards, federal spending, and how to choose.
GovTech Glossary
24 essential government contracting terms explained in plain language.