How to Bid On Government Staffing Contracts Effectively

Last Updated September 16, 2025

Finding and building relationships with new clients is perhaps the biggest challenge for staffing companies. Many successful agency owners understand this and get creative by bidding on government staffing contracts.

While qualifying for government staffing contracts takes a bit of work, becoming a trusted source to fill temporary government jobs can ensure consistent, ongoing work for your agency.

By understanding what goes into getting government staffing contracts, you can prepare your agency to succeed in this area.

What Are Government Staffing Contracts?

Staffing agency government contracts are agreements between the government and a third-party agency to provide temporary workers for a specific project. These are usually required for short-term needs, such as projects where a government agency has a skill gap and needs temporary help from outside talent.

Government agencies can contract with staffing agencies that have registered as federal contractors, which makes them eligible to bid on what can be very lucrative opportunities.

Benefits of Government Contract Staffing

Whether you run a niche IT staffing agency or you focus on filling a wide range of positions, staffing government contracts can go a long way in growing your agency. Here are some clear-cut benefits:

• Steady revenue: Winning a government contract can give you a source of steady, predictable revenue. This is especially true when you make successful placements, which can lead to long-term partnerships.
• Greater credibility: Working on a government contract enhances your reputation with other potential clients, showing that you are a trusted staffing partner for your niche.
• Large market: The federal government is a huge market, with significant ongoing staffing needs. Access to a large market with diverse opportunities makes it easier to grow your business and attract top talent to your agency.

How Does Government Staffing Bidding Work?

To fill contract positions, government agencies typically issue a request through SAM.gov (the System for Award Management). Agencies may issue an invitation to bid (ITB), a request for quote (RFQ), or a request for proposal (RFP), at which point, staffing agencies can begin submitting proposals or bidding on federal staffing contracts.

Government staffing bids are only available to agencies that are registered with the federal government (more on that later).

To win government bids for staffing, interested agencies must submit detailed proposals that demonstrate their ability to deliver value. In addition to pricing, these proposals include details on the agency’s experience and reputation in their particular niche. This could include testimonials or other proof of previous successful projects. You may also need to submit details on the expected length of time to fill roles and other details about your staffing agency. Procurement requirements may vary between government agencies, so careful review of each procurement request is essential.

Ultimately, the goal is to sell your staffing services to the best of your ability. The bid is submitted through SAM.gov, after which the government agency will evaluate all bids and select the staffing agency it wants to work with.

How to Get Government Staffing Contracts

Qualifying for government staffing opportunities—and winning bids—takes a lot of work, but it can be well worth the investment. Successful staffing agencies put in the work up front to ensure they are more likely to win bids.

1. Register Your Agency on SAM.gov

To bid on federal staffing contracts, you need to have an account with SAM.gov. You’ll need to create an account at Login.gov first, which is used to manage your government-related username and password. After you set up an account at Login.gov, you can return to SAM.gov to continue the registration process.

2. Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

With your basic login, you’ll then need to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and register with SAM. It doesn’t cost anything to get a UEI and register with SAM.gov, but you do need to provide a lot of information as part of the registration process.

To obtain a UEI, you’ll need to provide your legal business name, physical address, and date and state of incorporation. You will also need to provide core data such as ownership details and financial information, information on any certifications your business holds, points of contact, your NAICS code, and more. The U.S. General Services Administration provides a full checklist that covers everything you’ll need to submit.

It may seem like a lot of information, but you need to be as thorough as possible when filling out this application. Certain staffing agency certifications, such as being veteran-owned or women-owned, could give you greater priority when certain government agencies are evaluating bids.

Filling out the registration form also lets you select the NAICS codes that are most relevant to your agency (such as 561320 for Contract Staffing Services). These codes make it easier to find contract opportunities that are relevant to your agency.

Technically, you can obtain a UEI without going through the full registration process, but since you’ll need both to bid on government contracts, it’s best to just go through the entire process at once.

3. Write a Capability Statement

Once you’re registered, you should also write a capability statement that showcases why a government agency should choose your company. A capability statement is essentially a one-page resume that highlights your core competencies and differentiators, as well as your agency’s qualifications and past performance highlights.

This document can serve as a valuable form of marketing that encourages government officials to reach out to you or to more strongly consider your agency when you submit a bid.

4. Research the SAM Database and Other Government Sites

The SAM.gov database is your go-to resource for finding opportunities. You can search through opportunities based on your location, NAICS code, or specific keywords.

While SAM.gov primarily focuses on high-value contracts, there are other sites you can use to find bidding opportunities. The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) and Subcontracting Network (SubNet) are often used by smaller businesses and staffing agencies. It may also be worth looking into contract opportunities with your local state, county, or city government.

5. Carefully Review Submission Guidelines

Federal government staffing contracts have strict compliance requirements, which can vary from agency to agency. Before submitting your proposal, make sure that you follow all instructions and include all requested forms, certifications, and other information. Bids that are incomplete or late are usually disqualified, so make sure everything is complete to avoid wasting your time.

In-Summary: Government Contract Staffing

Given finding clients is a common struggle for agency owners, winning government contracts can make a big difference for your agency’s long-term success. While it does take significant preparation and strategizing, the return is worth the investment.

When you do start winning contracts, you can enjoy steady revenue and greater credibility that boosts your brand and helps you win more clients.

Michael McCareins

Michael McCareins is the Content Marketing Associate at altLINE, where he is dedicated to creating and managing optimal content for readers. Following a brief career in media relations, Michael has discovered a passion for content marketing through developing unique, informative content to help audiences better understand ideas and topics such as invoice factoring and A/R financing.