Getting Started Guide
Your complete roadmap from zero to your first government contract. Follow these 11 phases to legally establish your business, register with the federal government, and submit winning proposals.
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Establish Your Business Entity
Form your LLC or corporation to legally bid on contracts
Before you can bid on any government contract, you need a legally recognized business entity. The government does not award contracts to individuals acting in a personal capacity.
Choose Your Business Structure
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
Simplest to set up, protects personal assets, offers tax flexibility.
S-Corporation
Good for rapid growth and tax optimization. More paperwork than LLC.
C-Corporation
Required for venture capital or complex ownership. Most administrative overhead.
Filing Process
- 1Go to your state's Secretary of State website
- 2Navigate to "Business Filings" or "Start a Business"
- 3Fill out the form with your LLC's legal name and details
- 4Pay the filing fee (typically $50–$300)
Your business name MUST be consistent across every document. If you file as "Acme Solutions LLC", do NOT register as "Acme Solutions, LLC" elsewhere. Mismatches will cause SAM.gov registration to fail.