Frequently asked questions

We help small manufacturers and fabrication shops get registered to sell to the federal government. We find contracts that fit your shop, then write and submit the bids for you, with your approval. If you win, you fulfill the contract.

Small U.S.-based metal fabrication, welding, forging, and machine shops that have never done government work, or that are registered but haven't won anything.

No. Any small business can sell to the government. If you do qualify for a special status, we'll help you set it up, because some contracts are set aside for those businesses.

No. We work only with U.S.-based companies in the continental United States.

It's the federal government's system for businesses that want to sell to it. You have to be registered there to be awarded a federal contract, and it's also where most opportunities are posted.

Registering is free, and you can do it yourself. The process is detailed, and mistakes or missing paperwork can delay it by weeks. The setup fee covers doing it right the first time. The monthly service covers the daily searching and the writing of bids, which most small shops don't have time for.

It varies. It can take a few weeks, and sometimes longer if the government needs to validate your information. We get the paperwork ready so there are fewer delays.

Yes. SAM.gov registration has to be renewed every year. If it lapses, you can't be awarded contracts. We'll remind you when it's due.

Small business, and, if you qualify, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and woman-owned. Some of these need additional approval beyond SAM.gov, and the government decides eligibility. We help you figure out what you qualify for and prepare the paperwork. We can't give you a status your business doesn't meet.

We watch SAM.gov around the clock and send you opportunities that match what your shop makes.

Yes. We find the opportunity, write the bid, and submit it on your behalf. Nothing goes in without your sign-off.

Only at the key points. You approve each bid before we submit it, you confirm that the information about your business is accurate, and you do the work if you win.

No, and be careful of anyone who does. Federal contracts are competitive. Our job is to get you registered, find the right opportunities, and put together strong bids.

• $1,000 setup: SAM.gov registration and the paperwork for the small business statuses you qualify for.
• $200 per month: 24/7 monitoring and opportunity alerts.
• Success fee: 5-10% of the awarded contract value, depending on the size of the contract. Smaller awards are at the higher end and larger awards at the lower end. We agree on your rate in writing before you bid.

No. You only pay for the months you're actively looking for contracts. To pause monitoring, give us 30 days' notice. After you win a contract through us, you can choose to pause or keep going, since some shops can take on more than one contract at a time. When you're ready to start again, tell us.

No. The monthly fee stays the same however many contracts you bid on. The success fee applies to each contract you win.

No. We put the fees in writing in your service agreement before we start.

Yes. Contracts are month to month, and you can cancel anytime with 30 days' notice.

Our team brings over 10 years of Army experience, including 5 years in federal contracting, both stateside and overseas. That includes work supporting the effort in Ukraine and contract work with the German, UK, French, Lithuanian, and Polish armies. We've seen contracts from the government side. More about us.

No. Ironclad Contracting is a private business. We aren't affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense.