The Government Contracts Routine That Keeps Women Coming Back

Okay sis, let’s talk about something that sounds boring as hell but could literally change your life: government contracts. I know, I know — your eyes just glazed over. But hear me out.

You know how everyone is out here fighting for the same internships, the same entry-level jobs, the same gigs on Upwork? Meanwhile, the U.S. government spends over $500 billion every single year on contracts with small businesses. And most of that money? It goes untapped because young women like us don’t even know the door exists.

Yeah, that is wild. Let that sink in. While you are stressing about your $15/hour side hustle, there are 23-year-olds out there winning government contracts worth $25,000, $50,000, even $100,000 — for things like social media management, graphic design, consulting, and writing. Things you probably already know how to do.

Why Should You Even Care About Government Contracts?

I get it. When I first heard about government contracts, I pictured some dude in a suit sitting in a windowless room filling out 500-page forms. Not exactly the vibe. But here is the thing — the government is the single biggest customer on the planet. And they have programs specifically designed to give contracts to women, minorities, and young entrepreneurs.

Think about what that means for you. You could be a college junior with a laptop and a half-decent website, and the federal government could be paying you $75 an hour to write content or manage their social media. No middleman. No boss breathing down your neck. Just you, your skills, and a check that actually covers your rent.

And here is the part nobody tells you: government contracts are actually easier to win than private sector clients when you know what you are doing. Private companies can ghost you, change their minds, or decide they “went in a different direction.” The government? They have rules. They have to follow process. If you check the boxes, you get the work.

What Is SAM.gov and Why Do You Need It?

SAM.gov stands for the System for Award Management. Fancy name, simple purpose — it is the database the government uses to find vendors. If you want to win government contracts, you have to be in this system. Full stop. No exceptions.

Think of it like LinkedIn, but instead of recruiters finding you for jobs, government agencies find you for contracts. Every single federal agency — from the Department of Defense to the Department of Health and Human Services — uses SAM.gov to search for businesses that can do the work they need done.

And here is the thing — registering on SAM.gov is completely free. If anyone ever tries to charge you to register, run. There are scammers out there who will try to make you pay for something that costs $0. The government does not charge a fee to be in their system.

How to Register on SAM.gov: Step-by-Step (No Fluff)

Alright girl, here is the part you actually need. I am going to walk you through this like we are on FaceTime and I am screen-sharing with you. Get your laptop, pour yourself something to drink, and let’s do this.

Step 1: Get Your UEI Number

Before you can even touch SAM.gov, you need something called a Unique Entity ID (UEI). This used to be called a DUNS number, but they changed it in 2022. You get your UEI for free at SAM.gov. It is basically your business’s Social Security number for government contracts. Every single contract you win will be tied to this number.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Before you start the registration, have these things ready because the system will time out on you if you take too long (and yes, it is annoying):

• Your EIN or SSN (if you are a sole proprietor)
• Your bank account info for direct deposit
• Your business address and contact info
• Your NAICS codes (these are codes that describe what your business does — more on this in a sec)

Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

This is where you need to pay attention. When you register, you can self-certify as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) or an Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). This is huge because it flags your profile for those set-aside contracts I mentioned earlier.

Step 4: Fill Out Your Profile Like You Mean It

This is not the time to be modest. You need to describe your capabilities in a way that makes government buyers want to hire you. Use keywords they would search for. If you do social media, say “digital content creation, social media management, and public engagement strategy.” If you write, say “technical writing, grant writing, and communications support.”

Step 5: Submit and Wait

Once you submit, the government reviews your registration. This can take anywhere from 3 to 14 business days. Do not panic if it takes a minute. Check your email regularly because they will email you if something needs to be fixed.

The NAICS Codes Nobody Told You About

Okay, this is the insider knowledge that separates the women who actually win government contracts from the ones who register and then wonder why nobody calls. It is all about your NAICS codes.

NAICS stands for the North American Industry Classification System. Every business gets assigned codes that describe what they do. The trick is to choose codes that are broad enough to get you found but specific enough that you actually qualify for the work.

For example, if you do graphic design, you might use code 541430 (Graphic Design Services). But you could also add 541613 (Marketing Consulting Services) and 541890 (Other Services Related to Advertising). The more relevant codes you add, the more government contracts you will show up for in searches.

Here is the pro move: look at what other small businesses in your field are using. Search SAM.gov for businesses similar to yours and see what NAICS codes they have listed. Do not copy them exactly, but use it as inspiration for what is possible.

The Truth Nobody Tells You About Government Contracts

Let me keep it real with you for a second. Winning government contracts is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You are not going to register today and have a check in your mailbox tomorrow. But if you are willing to put in the work — researching opportunities, submitting bids, following up — it can become a consistent, reliable income stream that most people your age do not even know exists.

The biggest mistake I see women make? They register on SAM.gov, get their profile set up, and then just sit there waiting for the phone to ring. That is not how it works. You have to actively search for opportunities on SAM.gov and through other platforms like FedBizOpps (now part of SAM.gov) and bid on contracts that fit your skills.

Think of it like dating. You do not just create a dating profile and wait for your soulmate to knock on your door. You swipe, you message, you put yourself out there. Government contracts work the same way. The more bids you submit, the higher your chances of winning.

How to Find Government Contracts That Actually Fit You

Once you are registered on SAM.gov, you need to know where to look for opportunities. Here are the main places government contracts get posted:

1. SAM.gov Contract Opportunities – This is the main hub. You can search by keyword, location, NAICS code, and set-aside type. Filter for women-owned small business set-asides to see contracts that are specifically reserved for you.

2. GSA Schedules – If you get on a GSA Schedule, it is like having a VIP pass to government contracts. Agencies can buy from you without going through the full bidding process. It takes more work to get on, but it is worth it long-term.

3. State and Local Government Sites – Do not sleep on state and local government contracts. Your state probably has its own procurement website where they post opportunities. These are often smaller and less competitive than federal contracts.

4. Subcontracting Opportunities – Big companies that win huge government contracts often need to subcontract parts of the work to small businesses. Register on sites like Subcontractor.gov and let the big dogs find you.

Waiting for Contracts to Find You	Actively Searching for Contracts
❌ You register and hope someone finds you	✅ You search daily and submit bids consistently
❌ You get frustrated when nothing happens	✅ You understand it is a numbers game and keep going
❌ You give up after a month	✅ You build momentum and start winning within 3-6 months

What Kind of Government Contracts Can You Actually Win?

You might be thinking, “Okay but I am a 20-year-old with no experience. What could I possibly offer the government?” Girl, more than you think. Here are real examples of government contracts that young women like you have won:

Social Media Management – Government agencies need to be on social media, but they do not always have the in-house talent. You could manage Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for a local government office or a federal agency. These contracts range from $15,000 to $50,000 per year.

Content Writing and Editing – The government produces a ridiculous amount of content — reports, press releases, website copy, grant applications. They need writers who can make it readable. Entry-level writing contracts start around $25,000 and go up from there.

Graphic Design – From infographics to presentations to branding guides, government agencies need designers. If you have Canva skills or Adobe skills, you are qualified. Design contracts can pay $40-$100 per hour.

Virtual Assistance – Administrative support is one of the most common government contracts out there. Scheduling, email management, data entry — if you are organized, you can win these. They typically pay $20-$35 per hour.

Grant Writing – This is a hidden gem. Nonprofits and government agencies constantly need grant writers, and it pays extremely well. If you learn grant writing (there are free courses online), you can charge $50-$100 per hour for government contracts.

Your First 30 Days: The Action Plan

Alright, let me give you a concrete plan so you do not just read this and forget about it. Here is what your first 30 days should look like:

Week 1: Get your UEI number and start your SAM.gov registration. Gather all your documents. Choose your NAICS codes. Do not overthink it — just get it started.

Week 2: Finish your SAM.gov registration and submit it. While you wait for approval, start searching for contract opportunities in your area. Bookmark the search filters you will use.

Week 3: Your registration should be active by now. Start looking at actual contract opportunities and reading the statements of work. Get familiar with what agencies are asking for.

Week 4: Submit your first bid. It does not have to be perfect. The goal is to get through the process once so you know how it works. You will get better with each bid you submit.

This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real. We are out here figuring out how to build lives that do not require us to grind ourselves into the ground for pennies. Government contracts are one piece of that puzzle, but they are a big piece.

Related: This post is a must-read for women on their journey to owning their worth and asking for what they deserve.

Start Here

Your one move for today: go to SAM.gov and create your account. That is it. Just start the process. You do not have to finish it all in one sitting. But if you do not start, you will never know what is possible.

And listen — I know this feels overwhelming. I know you have a million things on your plate. Classes, work, family, friends, trying to figure out who you are and what you want. But here is the thing: five years from now, you are either going to wish you started today, or you are going to be glad you did. The choice is yours.

Government contracts are not some mysterious thing reserved for people with connections and fancy degrees. They are a system. And systems can be learned. You are smart enough to learn this. You are capable enough to win. You just have to start.

You might also love this article – one of our most shared — about how journaling helped one of our members go from feeling stuck to landing her first client.