UKHow long does it take to win a first federal contract?
Realistically six to eighteen months from SAM registration to first award for most firms. Simplified buys and subcontracts come faster; large negotiated awards take longer. The biggest accelerators are set-aside eligibility, responding to Sources Sought, and bidding the small fast stuff first.
The cycle itself sets the floor: even quick RFQs run weeks from posting to award, and negotiated procurements commonly take months from solicitation to decision. Stack that on top of pipeline building and the typical journey is two to four serious losses before the first win.
Shortcuts that actually work: target the band under the simplified acquisition threshold (reserved for small business, fast to award), respond to market research so you are known before bids open, and take subcontract work while your prime pipeline matures.
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