WHAT DEPENDS ON WHAT
Choose a route. See its dependencies.
Each step shows its prerequisite, proof of completion and what it enables. Arrows explain the route; they do not establish your company’s eligibility.
Federal prime contracting
Establish the entity
Needs: Accurate legal identity and usable operating resources.
Completion evidence: Entity records and a deliverable offer.
Enables: Registration preparation; buyer research can start.
Read the detailed procedure →Resolve SAM registration
Needs: Complete applicable validation and registration steps.
Completion evidence: Official active status and expiry for the correct entity.
Enables: Satisfy the registration requirement where applicable; not all eligibility.
Read the detailed procedure →Qualify this solicitation
Needs: Current notice, amendments, size, set-aside, vehicle, resources and timing.
Completion evidence: Documented pursue/no-pursue decision with unresolved issues visible.
Enables: A compliant response when the gates are satisfied.
Read the detailed procedure →Submit and retain receipt
Needs: Completed response and authorized review.
Completion evidence: The submitted version and actual receipt.
Enables: Consideration for award, not an award itself.
Read the detailed procedure →
Research buyers, build experience and prepare suitable local/state routes while SAM is pending. Actual federal provisions and exceptions control registration timing.
State and local contracting
Pick the actual buyer
Needs: A city, county, school, authority or state agency buying your offering.
Completion evidence: Official purchasing page and current portal instructions.
Enables: The right registration and notification path.
Read the detailed procedure →Confirm vendor and bid access
Needs: Buyer-specific identity, category and payment requirements.
Completion evidence: Access to documents and the ability to use the submission channel.
Enables: A response under that buyer’s rules; SAM is not universal city enrollment.
Read the detailed procedure →Respond to this notice
Needs: Scope, site visits, questions, forms, addenda and cost review.
Completion evidence: A compliant response with receipt.
Enables: Evaluation; payment onboarding and award may still be separate.
Read the detailed procedure →
Federal registration and other jurisdictions can proceed independently. Federally funded local work may carry additional requirements.
SBA certification
Choose a relevant program
Needs: Business facts and a practical reason for the program.
Completion evidence: A program-specific screening record with unknowns.
Enables: Focused evidence collection, not a certification claim.
Read the detailed procedure →Prepare genuine evidence
Needs: Current ownership, control and other applicable criteria.
Completion evidence: Consistent supporting documents and resolved contradictions.
Enables: An application ready for owner review.
Read the detailed procedure →Obtain official determination
Needs: Complete submission and responses to agency requests.
Completion evidence: Official approval for the exact entity and program.
Enables: Program participation; every opportunity still has its own rules.
Read the detailed procedure →
Pursue suitable opportunities that do not require the pending certification. A certification application is not a substitute for capability or cash.
GSA Schedule
Prove the business case
Needs: Buyers using MAS, relevant SINs, margins and capacity.
Completion evidence: Written go/no-go case.
Enables: A reason to invest in the offer.
Read the detailed procedure →Prepare the current offer
Needs: Required training, registration, category evidence, pricing and current templates.
Completion evidence: A reconciled package meeting applicable requirements.
Enables: Submission and negotiation; no award yet.
Read the detailed procedure →Receive an executed award
Needs: Review, negotiation and authorized execution.
Completion evidence: Awarded SINs, prices, terms and contract period.
Enables: Catalog setup and pursuit of orders within scope.
Read the detailed procedure →Manage orders and compliance
Needs: Order eligibility, reporting, fees, catalog and modification duties.
Completion evidence: Order and performance records plus required reporting.
Enables: Sales only when actual orders are won and performed.
Read the detailed procedure →
Other federal bids and subcontracts do not universally require a GSA Schedule. Continue those routes when appropriate.
Award through payment
Verify the award
Needs: An authorized contract or order with applicable funding and scope.
Completion evidence: Executed award and obligation review.
Enables: Performance as authorized.
Read the detailed procedure →Deliver and document
Needs: Resources, schedule, quality controls and actual contract requirements.
Completion evidence: Required deliverables and performance records.
Enables: Acceptance review; delivery alone may not be acceptance.
Read the detailed procedure →Meet acceptance and invoice rules
Needs: Conforming delivery and the designated invoice process.
Completion evidence: Acceptance evidence and proper invoice receipt, as required.
Enables: Payment under the actual terms; timing differs by contract.
Read the detailed procedure →Reconcile and close
Needs: Actual payment, final duties and records.
Completion evidence: Paid invoice and completed closeout obligations.
Enables: A truthful past-performance record and lessons for future bids.
Read the detailed procedure →
Advance, progress, milestone and other payment arrangements can differ. This common teaching sequence is not a universal payment schedule.