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APEX Accelerator

Bidding Resources for Government Contracts

Once your business is registered and certified, the next step is learning how to find and respond to government contracting opportunities. Whether you're pursuing work with the State of Ohio or federal agencies, it's important to understand the rules, track active solicitations, and prepare strong proposals.

The Ohio APEX Accelerator at The University of Toledo can guide you through every step of the bidding process—from identifying relevant opportunities to submitting a responsive and compliant proposal.

Procurement Regulations

Before submitting a bid, it's important to understand the contracting rules at both the state and federal levels.

State of Ohio

Ohio provides detailed instructions for working with the state through the Ohio Vendor’s Handbook. This guide includes important rules for vendors regarding invoicing, contract compliance, and bid submission.

Federal Government

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary rulebook for federal contracts. It covers everything from pricing to contract types to ethics. FAR is updated regularly and is available in an accessible digital format at Acquisition.gov.

 

Tip: These handbooks and regulations may contain technical language. If you’re unsure how to apply them to your situation, our team can help interpret and explain.

Where to Find Bidding Opportunities

There are several online platforms where you can browse open solicitations, view awarded contracts, and track future opportunities. Below are the most commonly used resources:

State of Ohio

  • OhioBuys – Ohio’s official purchasing system where you can search and respond to active solicitations. Requires an OHID login.

Federal Government

  • SAM.gov – The main portal for federal contract opportunities. Use advanced filters to search by NAICS code, location, or agency.

  • USAspending.gov – A searchable database of awarded federal contracts. Useful for identifying trends, competitors, and potential partners.

  • Acquisition.gov Forecasts – Forecasts of upcoming procurement opportunities, organized by federal agency.

  • GSA eLibrary – Search for existing contractors and contract vehicles within the GSA Schedule system.

Defense Contracting

  • DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) – Find contracts issued by the Defense Logistics Agency, especially for manufactured parts and components.

  • SBIR/STTR Programs – Explore research and innovation-based contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Getting Ready to Bid

Submitting a government bid is different from pitching to a commercial client. Here's what you'll typically need to prepare:

  1. Review the solicitation documents carefully, including the scope of work, terms, and evaluation criteria.

  2. Draft your proposal according to the instructions. Be sure to follow formatting and submission guidelines exactly.

  3. Highlight your certifications and past performance, if applicable.

  4. Submit your bid through the specified portal by the listed deadline.

  5. Track updates and Q&A notices, as agencies may issue clarifications or addendums during the open bid period.

Need help interpreting a solicitation or writing your response? Our APEX business consultant can walk you through each requirement and help review your submission before it’s final.

 

Need Help with Bidding?

The Ohio APEX Accelerator at The University of Toledo provides one-on-one support to help your business identify opportunities, write winning proposals, and understand the compliance requirements of public contracting. Create a new client account to get started. 

Last Updated: 8/5/25