The federal-contracting reference desk.
We build software and win contracts for a living — and we publish what we learn. This is the single index to all of it: free working tools, NAICS code explainers, set-aside program guides, a plain-English compliance library, and field notes from an actual bidding firm. Nothing gated, nothing stored.
Free tools
Built for our own govcon and growth work, then made free. No signup, nothing stored.
SPRS Calculator
Estimate your NIST SP 800-171 Basic Assessment score across all 110 controls.
COMPLIANCENIST 800-171 POA&M Builder
Plan each of your 110-control gaps — remediation, owner, target date — and export a clean POA&M.
MARKETINGCapability Statement Generator
Fill a form, get a formatted one-page capability statement, download as PDF.
PIPELINEFederal IT Opportunities
A live board of open federal IT solicitations from SAM.gov — Texas-first and nationwide.
SECTION 508Accessibility Checker
Scan any URL for common Section 508 / WCAG 2.1 issues in seconds.
AI SEARCHAI Search Readiness
Score the signals AI answer engines use to find and cite your business.
ALL TOOLSSee every tool
Including GovCon & Growth Intelligence news feeds. The full toolbox in one place.
NAICS code explainers
The IT and software codes federal solicitations actually use — with size standards and how they differ.
NAICS for IT Contractors
The hub: every IT/software NAICS code, its size standard, and which one your bid should target.
541511Custom Computer Programming
The core custom-software code — and how it differs from 541512 IT consulting.
541512Computer Systems Design
Systems integration and design services — when this code fits instead of 541511.
541519Other Computer Related Services
Including the ITVAR exception — and why it carries a different size standard.
518210Data Processing & Hosting
Cloud, hosting, and data-processing work — a receipts-based size standard.
541715R&D in Engineering
The R&D code behind SBIR/STTR — with an employee-based size standard.
Set-aside program guides
The small-business programs that reserve contracts — eligibility, certification, and bid strategy.
Federal Set-Aside Programs
The hub: every SBA set-aside program compared, and how to tell which you qualify for.
SMALL BIZSmall-Business Set-Asides
The Rule of Two, total vs partial set-asides, and how size standards decide eligibility.
8(a)8(a) Business Development
The nine-year program for disadvantaged firms — sole-source advantages and how to enter.
HUBZONEHUBZone Program
The location-based program with a 10% price-evaluation preference — and its hardest rule.
SDVOSBSDVOSB Set-Asides
Service-disabled veteran-owned set-asides, the SBA certification, and VA work.
WOSBWOSB & EDWOSB
Woman-owned set-asides, the certification requirement, and the eligible-NAICS rule.
Reference guides
Plain-English deep dives on the compliance terms that decide federal IT awards.
NIST SP 800-171
The 110 controls that protect CUI — and how they roll up into your SPRS score.
CMMCWhat Is CMMC?
The DoD certification program, its levels, and readiness vs. certification.
SPRSWhat Is SPRS?
How the Supplier Performance Risk System score is calculated and used.
CUIControlled Unclassified Info
What counts as CUI, who decides, and what it triggers for your systems.
508Section 508 Compliance
The federal accessibility law, what it requires, and how it’s tested.
WCAGWCAG 2.1 AA
The technical standard behind 508 — the four principles and key criteria.
SAM.GOVSAM.gov Registration
Step-by-step registration, UEI assignment, annual renewal, and common errors.
PROOFPast Performance
How evaluators judge it — and how a new entrant builds it from zero.
GLOSSARYGovCon Glossary
Every acronym, defined and searchable — the quick lookup behind these guides.
Field notes
Hard-won lessons from a firm that bids federal IT work every week.
How Small Businesses Win IT Contracts
SAM.gov, NAICS codes, set-asides, and building a track record from zero.
PRIMERWhat Is a NAICS 541511 Contract?
The custom-programming code that governs most federal software buys.
VISIBILITYWhen a CO Googles Your IT Firm
What contracting officers find — and why it decides whether you make the shortlist.
PROPOSALWhy Contractors Lose Before the Proposal
The credibility gaps that sink a bid before an evaluator reads page one.
JBSACustom Software for JBSA Contractors
Software delivery for the Joint Base San Antonio mission-partner ecosystem.
ALL POSTSThe full Captain’s Log
Every field note we’ve published, newest first.