Last updated: October 2026 · Sources: SAM.gov, GSA.gov, Acquisition.gov
Short answer: FedBizOpps (FBO.gov) no longer exists. GSA retired it in November 2019 and moved every federal contract notice to the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov. Searching SAM.gov is free. To bid, you need an active SAM.gov registration with a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Agencies must post most proposed contracts over $25,000 there.
What happened to FedBizOpps?
For years, FedBizOpps (Federal Business Opportunities, or FBO.gov) was the site where agencies posted solicitations. In November 2019, GSA moved those notices into beta.SAM.gov, the new System for Award Management. The “beta” label was dropped in 2021. Today SAM.gov is the single official place to register as a federal contractor and to find contract notices.
If a guide or an old bookmark tells you to “search FedBizOpps”, the same opportunities are now under Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov.
How do I find contract opportunities on SAM.gov?
- Go to SAM.gov and search Contract Opportunities. You don’t need an account to search.
- Filter the results. Narrow by keyword, NAICS code, set-aside type (small business, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB), agency, place of performance and notice type.
- Read the notice type. A Sources Sought or RFI is market research: answering it puts you on the agency’s radar before the solicitation exists. A Solicitation or Combined Synopsis/Solicitation is the actual request for bids. An Award Notice shows who won and at what price.
- Save searches and follow notices. With a free account (you sign in with Login.gov), you can get email updates when new notices match your filters or when a notice you follow is amended.
- Check your registration before you bid. To submit offers, your entity must have an active “All Awards” registration in SAM.gov. See how to register in SAM.gov.
Do I need to register to bid on federal contracts?
Searching is open to anyone. Bidding is not. Under FAR 4.1102, offerors generally must be registered in SAM.gov when they submit an offer. Registration is free, gives you your Unique Entity ID (the UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022) and must be renewed every 365 days.
What you won’t find on SAM.gov
Many federal purchases never show up as SAM.gov notices:
- Small purchases. Most buys under $25,000 don’t have to be posted.
- GSA Schedule orders. When an agency buys from the GSA Schedule, it usually sends a request for quotes through GSA eBuy, which only GSA Schedule holders can see. Agencies can also buy directly from a Schedule holder’s catalog on GSA Advantage.
That is the main reason companies get on the GSA Schedule: they see, and can win, opportunities that never appear on SAM.gov. Learn how to get on the GSA Schedule.
SAM.gov vs. GSA eBuy at a glance
| SAM.gov Contract Opportunities | GSA eBuy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The government’s public site for contract notices | GSA’s request-for-quote system for GSA Schedule orders |
| Who can see opportunities | Anyone | Only GSA Schedule holders in the matching SINs |
| What you need to bid | Active SAM.gov registration | An awarded GSA Schedule contract |
| Competition | Open to every registered business | Limited to Schedule holders |
Frequently asked questions
Does FedBizOpps still exist?
No. FedBizOpps (FBO.gov) was retired in November 2019. All federal contract opportunities it used to list are now posted in the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov.
What is FedBizOpps called now?
It’s now SAM.gov. The FedBizOpps listings live in the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov, the same site where businesses register to work with the federal government.
How do small businesses find set-aside contracts on SAM.gov?
In Contract Opportunities, use the set-aside filter to show only notices reserved for small businesses or for specific programs such as 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone or SDVOSB. Combine it with your NAICS codes and save the search to get email alerts.
Is SAM.gov free?
Yes. There is no charge to search opportunities, register your business, get a Unique Entity ID or renew your registration. Be careful with companies that charge to “register you in SAM”.
How do I get notified about new federal contracts?
Create a free SAM.gov account, save your search filters (for example, your NAICS codes and set-aside type) and turn on email notifications. You can also follow individual notices to get alerts when they’re amended.
Why don’t I see GSA Schedule opportunities on SAM.gov?
Agencies usually request quotes from GSA Schedule holders through GSA eBuy, which only Schedule holders can access. To see those opportunities, you need your own GSA Schedule contract.
Want to see the opportunities that never reach SAM.gov? Check your GSA eligibility in a few minutes, or book a free 20-minute call.
