Public sector · checklist
Become buyable by government — in order.
A concrete, do-this-next sequence to go from zero to winning federal, state, and local contracts. Most early steps are free; the ordering puts the steps that gate later ones first.
Get a UEI + register on SAM.gov
Free · ~1–2 weeksCreate a free Unique Entity Identifier and complete entity registration — required before any federal award. The government never charges for this.
sam.gov ↗Set your NAICS codes
Free · ~1 hourPick the codes that route solicitations to you: 511210 (Software Publishers), 541511 / 541512 (programming / systems design), 541219 (other accounting services).
census.gov/naics ↗Join a purchasing cooperative
Varies · weeksThe fastest path to volume — one competitive award becomes buyable by thousands of agencies. Start with OMNIA Partners + Sourcewell or NASPO ValuePoint.
omniapartners.com ↗Register on state portals
Free · per stateRegister as a vendor on your home state + your top targets. Find every state's official portal via the NIGP directory.
NIGP state directory ↗Earn diverse-business certifications
Free · weeks–monthsIf eligible, certify for federal set-asides (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB) at MySBA Certifications, plus state SBE/MBE/WBE/DBE/DVBE programs. Self-certification is no longer accepted.
certifications.sba.gov ↗Set up bid monitoring
Free–paid tiersWatch opportunities across jurisdictions with BidNet Direct / DemandStar, and each big target's own procurement site.
bidnetdirect.com ↗Pursue a GSA MAS award (SIN 54151S)
MonthsA Multiple Award Schedule award makes you directly buyable government-wide without a fresh competition each time.
gsa.gov ↗Apply for SBIR/STTR funding
Non-dilutive · windowsNon-dilutive R&D funding (NSF/HHS windows) for AI-in-public-finance — and the program itself requires the approved accounting system the platform provides.
sbir.gov ↗Then lead with what you already have
Registration gets you in the door; the win comes from the compliance fit that's already built — fund accounting + GASB, HUD FDS/SEFA, single audit, 2 CFR 200, and a FAR Part 31-grade audit trail. That's the differentiator finance officers and grantees actually evaluate.
Honest framing: timelines + eligibility vary; set-aside certifications depend on ownership; the government never charges for SAM.gov or UEI. Always verify on the official sites linked above.