# New LLCs Enter Federal Contracting

A federal contracting on-ramp for new LLCs recommends completing free SAM.gov registration, selecting relevant NAICS codes, pursuing eligible SBA certifications, and preparing a capability statement. Businesses are also directed to APEX Accelerators and agency procurement channels to identify opportunities, while commenters recommend focusing on a small number of target buyers and building past performance through subcontracting or smaller purchases. The thread estimates that a first award may take 12–24 months and cautions businesses to pursue work they can actually deliver; state and local prequalification routes, including state departments of transportation, are another potential entry point.

- New entrants can use SAM.gov registration, relevant NAICS codes, eligible SBA certifications, and a capability statement to prepare for federal opportunities; the certifications are eligibility-dependent, not universal requirements.
- Companies should identify a focused set of target agencies and consider subcontracting or smaller purchases as ways to develop past performance before pursuing larger awards.
- APEX Accelerators and agency procurement channels are identified as opportunity-discovery resources. State and local prequalification may provide an additional route, including work performed for federal programs.
- The stated 12–24-month estimate is a potential first-award timeline, so businesses should plan for a sustained business-development effort and ensure they can perform the work they pursue.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Published:** October 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
- State departments of transportation (DOTs)

### Key Quotes
> I’d also look at contracting with state agencies especially on jobs that do work on behalf of the Federal government, like your DOTs. it is a smaller pool to compete against.
> — Commenter

### Sources
- [I Have an LLC… Now How Do I Get My First Government Contract?](https://www.reddit.com/r/GovernmentContracting/comments/1xefb41/i_have_an_llc_now_how_do_i_get_my_first) - reddit-governmentcontracting