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How the U.S. Government Is Helping Small Businesses Use AI: New Programs, Funding, and Tools Explained
Balanced against the broader national conversation about AI, the fears of bias, misinformation, job displacement, and runaway models, the small business agenda is strikingly optimistic.
The danger isn’t that small businesses will misuse AI. The danger is that they’ll be left behind by it. This is perhaps the most consequential shift of all.
Turning Chaos into Contracts: How SMBs Can Thrive Amid GovCon Uncertainty
When federal budgets stall or shutdowns loom, most government contractors brace for impact. But small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) that know how to move fast, pivot smart, and communicate clearly? They find opportunity in the turbulence.
Federal Budget Shifts in FY2024: Where Small Businesses Win—and Where the Work is Drying Up
FY2024 has been a wild ride for federal contractors. Even with overall spending capped by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, agencies shuffled dollars to match their priorities—and that’s created big winners and some serious losers. For small businesses, this means more opportunities in certain high-growth sectors and a sharp pivot away from others. The key to thriving? Knowing where the money’s going, what’s getting cut, and how to position yourself now for FY2025.
SBA’s 2025 Rule Shake-Up: 10 Changes Every New Federal Contractor Must Act On
If you’re a small business eyeing federal contracting opportunities, the SBA has been busy rewriting the playbook. From size standard adjustments to new certification requirements, these rule changes aren’t just technical—they determine whether you can compete, win, and keep your contracts. Here’s what’s new, why it matters, and how to act now.
Why Small Businesses Lose Federal Contracts — and How to Avoid Their Mistakes
It’s one thing to win a federal contract. It’s another to keep it — and deliver successfully. Between FY2019 and FY2025, dozens of small businesses lost awards or had contracts terminated, often for reasons that were entirely preventable.
A recent analysis of 100 federal contracting case studies — from GAO protests, agency terminations, and Inspector General reports — reveals the top ways small businesses stumble. If you’re chasing government contracting opportunities, these lessons are worth your time.
How the Fastest-Growing Small GovCon Firms Are Winning—and How You Can Too
Over the past five years, some small government contracting businesses have skyrocketed from modest subcontractors to prime players with multimillion-dollar federal contracts. Their secret? It’s not luck—it’s a blend of strategy, certifications, and smart positioning that any small business can learn from and apply.
Top 20 Small-Business Federal Contractors of FY2024 — and What You Can Learn from Them
Federal contracting is a tough game, but FY2024’s top-performing small-business primes proved there’s plenty of room to win big—if you know where to play and how to position yourself. Together, the 20 vendors in this ranking captured roughly $20B of the $183.3B awarded to small-business primes last year. That’s more than 10% of all small-biz contract dollars—locked down by just 20 companies.
The Top 10 PSCs for Small-Business Federal Contracts in FY2024 — and How to Win in Them
Small businesses had a record-breaking year in FY2024, winning $183.5 billion in federal prime contracts — about 28.8% of all federal contract spending. That’s not just a win for Main Street; it’s a clear signal that targeted set-asides, strategic NAICS code choices, and strong positioning in high-demand service areas are paying off.
Small Business Contract Spending Surges in FY2025 — But It’s Concentrated in Just a Few States
The latest FY2025 year-to-date (YTD) small-business contracting data is in, and the numbers are eye-popping. Small-business prime contract obligations have already reached roughly $430.49 billion, with certain states raking in the lion’s share. Virginia alone accounts for $72.53B—nearly 17% of the national total—followed by Texas, California, Connecticut, and Maryland. The District of Columbia, while not a state, is a powerhouse in its own right with $20.38B in awards.
Small Business Boom: The Fastest-Growing NAICS Codes in Federal Contracting — and How to Win in Them
Federal small-business contracting has been on a tear, growing from about $154 billion in FY2021 to over $183 billion in FY2024. Small firms are now landing roughly 28% of eligible prime contract dollars — well above the statutory 23% goal. That’s not just a nice statistic; it’s a signal that agencies are deliberately shifting more work to small businesses, particularly in certain NAICS codes where demand is exploding.
Streamlined Army Acquisition Is a Game-Changer for Small Contractors—If You’re Ready to Move Fast
The U.S. Army is rewriting the rules of the game—literally. In 2025, Army Futures Command (AFC) rolled out a radical shift in how it defines and buys new technology. Instead of bogging vendors down in technical checklists, AFC is now asking for solutions to big, open-ended problems. For small businesses and non-traditional vendors, this is one of the biggest federal contracting opportunities in years—but only if you’re ready to adapt fast.
Feds Using AI to Trim Budgets: Small Businesses Must Adapt to Data-Driven Procurement
Federal agencies are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to cut costs, evaluate contracts faster, and modernize procurement—and if you’re a small or mid-sized business (SMB) chasing federal dollars, you’ll need to adapt fast.
FY2024 Was a Banner Year for Small Business Contracting—Here’s How to Ride the Wave Into FY2025
The federal government just dropped its FY2024 small business contracting stats—and they’re more than impressive. With over $183 billion in prime contracts awarded to small firms, this marks the fourth straight year the government has blown past its 23% goal, hitting a new high of 28.8%. If you’re a small business eyeing the federal marketplace, this is your sign: the door’s wide open.
How Civilians and Startups Can Tap Into the Pentagon’s Billion-Dollar Innovation Pipeline
If you think working with the U.S. military means navigating decades of red tape and chasing classified RFPs, it’s time to update your playbook. Over the past few years, the Department of Defense has rolled out a wave of open innovation programs designed specifically to bring in non-traditional vendors—startups, researchers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with no prior government experience. This shift isn’t just symbolic; it’s backed by billions in funding and a mandate to fast-track commercial tech for defense use.
Congress Is Rethinking Small Business Contracting. Here’s What You Need to Know
A cluster of bills moving through Congress in 2025 could seriously reshape the landscape for small businesses in federal contracting. From more accountability in women-owned awards to restoring set-aside protections and expanding 8(a) construction access, these proposals aren’t just policy tweaks—they could redefine who gets a fair shot at the $700+ billion federal marketplace.
GSA’s OneGov Strategy Just Changed the Game for Small IT Resellers
If you’re a small business VAR or IT integrator with federal contracts, the GSA’s new OneGov initiative should be on your radar—right now. This isn’t just another policy tweak. It’s a fundamental shake-up of how federal agencies will buy software and IT services moving forward, and the implications for small business resellers are huge.
SBA’s Contracting Assistance Programs: What Every Small Business Needs to Know in 2025
If you’re a small business owner looking to grow through federal contracting, here’s the blunt truth: you’re leaving money on the table without an SBA certification. The federal government awarded over $176 billion to small businesses last year—and more than a third of that came through set-aside programs. Whether you’re a woman-owned business, located in a HUBZone, led by a disabled veteran, or socially disadvantaged, the right certification can turn a door into a pipeline.
Who’s Got Your Back? The Most Small-Business-Friendly Federal Agencies in FY2025
If you’re a small business chasing federal contracting dollars, it pays—literally—to know which agencies are most likely to award you a contract. Spoiler: not all federal buyers are created equal. Some go out of their way to engage and support small businesses through targeted set-asides, outreach, and accessible contracts. Others? Not so much.
The Email You Should Be Sending Every Week to Contracting Officers (But Probably Aren’t)
If you’re a small business trying to win more federal contracts, here’s a truth that’ll save you time and bring in opportunities: most contractors are silent between bids. They show up when the RFP drops, attach their SAM profile like a badge of honor, and cross their fingers. But the real players? They’re showing up every week, keeping contracting officers (COs) warm with just enough value, relevance, and persistence.
SBA’s 2025 Rule Shake-Up: What Small GovCon Firms Need to Know Now
If you thought your SBA certification was something you could “set and forget,” 2025 is here to shake up that assumption. A flurry of final rules and executive orders over the past year has rewritten the playbook on small business set-aside eligibility, M&A strategies, and how you hold on to that all-important “small” status. Whether you’re in the 8(a) program, pursuing women owned small business certification, or managing multiple 8a contracts services, these changes have direct—and potentially disruptive—implications.