Short answer: Federal subcontracting opportunities come from companies that already hold a federal contract and need a small business to do part of the work. They post a notice with the scope, closing date, place, NAICS code and a contact, or take suppliers through their own supplier site. You reply to that company, not to the agency.
Where subcontract work comes from
A subcontract starts with a company that already won federal work and needs help to perform it. That company hires the small business, not the agency. You'll find that work in a few places:
- Public subcontract notices. A company posts the scope, a closing date and a person to contact. For what each field means, see how to read a subcontract notice.
- Supplier sites. Some companies, including aerospace and defense primes, take new suppliers through their own supplier registration or supplier diversity site.
- People at the prime. Some primes have a small business liaison or supplier diversity contact who brings new subcontractors in.
- Industry days and outreach events. Primes and agencies hold events where small businesses can meet the people who buy.
DIBBS is where supplier and manufacturing companies bid on what they can supply or make for DLA. SAM.gov is where government and defense solicitations are posted publicly for everyone to review. Subcontract notices are opportunities prime contractors post themselves that aren't on DIBBS or SAM.gov.
Find the primes in your field
Start with your NAICS codes. Look at who has won past federal awards in those codes. Those companies are the most likely to need a subcontractor for the work you do. Past award history is public; how to find government contracts to bid on shows where to look.
Make a short list. For each company, note its supplier site, its small business contact if it lists one, and any subcontract notices it has posted.
What to have ready
- What you do, in one or two sentences.
- Your NAICS codes for the work you perform.
- Your small-business status, such as HUBZone, women-owned, veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned, if you hold it.
- Your SAM registration and CAGE code, if you have them.
- Past performance: a few jobs like the one the prime needs.
- A capability statement of one page. See this one-page capability statement outline.
How to approach a prime
- Register on the prime's supplier site if it has one. Fill in your NAICS codes and status.
- Send a short first email to the contact on the notice, or to the prime's small business contact. Say what you do, where you perform, your NAICS codes and your small-business status. Attach your capability statement. Keep drawings and export-controlled data out of that first message.
- Follow up before the closing date if you haven't heard back. Keep it short.
- Answer what the notice asks, including any business type it names, when you hold that status.
What changes when you're the subcontractor
You contract with the prime, not the agency. The prime's terms apply to you, including any requirements it passes down from its own federal contract. Read them before you agree to the work.
Where FedOpp fits
FedOpp keeps subcontract notices in their own list and marks each one Pursue, Review, Skip or Incomplete against the NAICS codes, keywords, place and business type on your profile. Any kind of work can match. Open a row for the scope, the closing date and the contact. The email opens in your own mail app, and you send it.
FedOpp is $199 a month after a 7-day free trial, and additional users are $49 a month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors?
Look at who wins federal work in your NAICS codes, then register on those companies' supplier sites and watch for their subcontract notices. Reply to the contact named on each notice with what you do, where you perform and your small-business status.
What should I send a prime contractor first?
A short email with what you do, your NAICS codes, where you perform, your small-business status and your CAGE code, with a one-page capability statement attached. Leave drawings and export-controlled data out of the first email.
Do I need to be registered in SAM.gov to subcontract?
Many primes ask subcontractors for a SAM registration or a CAGE code, but the prime's own supplier requirements decide. Check the notice or the prime's supplier site.
Is a subcontract the same as a federal contract?
No. As a subcontractor you contract with the prime, not the agency, and the prime's terms, including any requirements it passes down from its own contract, apply to you.
Does FedOpp submit subcontract proposals?
No. FedOpp does not submit bids, quotes, or proposals. You send the reply.
Last verified 2026-10-08 · Author FedOpp
Practical notes, not legal advice. The notice and the prime's terms control.