Government Contractor Readiness Checklist

How to Use This Checklist

Work through each section in order. Some items can be completed in a day; others require sustained effort. Items marked [Required] are mandatory to receive any government contract. Items marked [Recommended] are strongly advised.

This checklist covers both federal and Texas state contracting.

Phase 1: Business Foundation

These must be in place before you can register in any government system.

[ ] [Required] Texas LLC or Corporation formed with the Secretary of State
[ ] [Required] EIN (Employer Identification Number) obtained from IRS
[ ] [Required] Business bank account opened
[ ] [Recommended] Operating Agreement completed (LLC)
[ ] [Recommended] Business address established (physical preferred over P.O. box)
[ ] [Recommended] Professional email address configured (not Gmail/Yahoo)
[ ] [Recommended] Basic bookkeeping system in place

Phase 2: Federal Government Registration

[ ] [Required] Login.gov account created
[ ] [Required] SAM.gov registration completed and active
[ ] [Required] Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) received
[ ] [Required] CAGE Code assigned (automatic after SAM.gov activation)
[ ] [Required] Primary and secondary NAICS codes selected
[ ] [Required] EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) information entered in SAM.gov
[ ] [Required] Representations and Certifications completed in SAM.gov
[ ] [Recommended] SAM.gov renewal calendar reminder set (annually)

Phase 3: Texas State Registration

[ ] [Required for state work] Texas CMBL registration completed
[ ] [Required for state work] NIGP commodity codes selected
[ ] [Optional] Texas HUB certification applied for (if eligible)
[ ] [Recommended] CMBL renewal reminder set (every 2 years)

Phase 4: Business Certifications

Certifications expand your competitive opportunities. Research eligibility before applying.

Federal Certifications (SBA):

[ ] Small Business (verify size standard for your NAICS code)
[ ] 8(a) Business Development Program (socially and economically disadvantaged)
[ ] HUBZone (if business is in a designated zone)
[ ] Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or Economically Disadvantaged WOSB (EDWOSB)
[ ] Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
[ ] Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) — verify through VA CVE

State/Industry Certifications:

[ ] Texas HUB Certification
[ ] Relevant professional or technical certifications for your field

Phase 5: Marketing Materials

[ ] [Required] Capability statement drafted and formatted
[ ] [Required] Core competencies written in government language
[ ] [Required] NAICS codes, UEI, CAGE code included on all materials
[ ] [Recommended] Past performance documented with agency names, periods, and scope
[ ] [Recommended] Professional website with government-visible content
[ ] [Recommended] LinkedIn company page established
[ ] [Recommended] One-paragraph "elevator pitch" for networking events

Phase 6: Opportunity Research

[ ] SAM.gov Opportunities search set up for your NAICS codes
[ ] Texas ESBD (Electronic State Business Daily) monitored for relevant solicitations
[ ] 2–3 target federal agencies identified based on your capabilities
[ ] 2–3 target Texas state agencies identified
[ ] Agency small business office contacts identified
[ ] Upcoming procurement conferences and matchmaking events identified
[ ] Subscription to relevant industry associations considered

Phase 7: Compliance Readiness

Before bidding on contracts, understand your compliance requirements.

[ ] FAR basics understood (Federal Acquisition Regulation)
[ ] Invoice process understood (how and when federal agencies pay)
[ ] Insurance requirements reviewed (general liability, E&O, etc.)
[ ] Subcontracting rules understood (if planning to use subcontractors)
[ ] Small business size standards verified for each NAICS code you plan to use
[ ] Conflict of Interest policies reviewed (especially if employees have government backgrounds)

Phase 8: Relationships and Business Development

Government contracting is a relationship-driven market. This phase is ongoing.

[ ] Agency small business office introductory meeting scheduled or requested
[ ] Prime contractor partnership opportunities identified
[ ] Attended at least one procurement conference or matchmaking event
[ ] Mentor-Protégé program eligibility researched
[ ] Active in at least one relevant industry association

Ongoing: Annual and Recurring Actions

[ ] SAM.gov renewed before expiration (annual)
[ ] CMBL renewed before expiration (every 2 years)
[ ] Capability statement updated with new past performance
[ ] NAICS codes and certifications reviewed for relevance
[ ] Business size standard recertified as needed
[ ] Government contacts maintained and relationships refreshed

Quick Reference: Key Government Links

| Resource | URL | |---|---| | SAM.gov | sam.gov | | Texas CMBL | comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/cmbl | | Texas ESBD | esbd.cpa.state.tx.us | | SBA Certifications | certify.sba.gov | | Texas HUB Program | comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/hub | | Login.gov | login.gov | | NAICS Lookup | naics.com/search |

Work through this checklist with expert support. The Government Contractor Ready Workshop covers Phase 1 through 5 in one live session. You leave with the foundation in place. See the workshop →