SAM.gov opportunity review checklist

1. Confirm the notice is still active

Open the official notice and check its current status, response deadline, time zone, and amendment history. A saved summary or earlier email may no longer reflect the latest version.

2. Read every amendment and attachment

Download the solicitation package, statement of work, wage determination, schedules, maps, forms, and amendments. Record which documents require a signature or acknowledgement.

3. Match the actual scope to your operation

Identify frequencies, square footage, equipment, materials, staffing, licenses, security requirements, reporting, and quality-control duties. A matching title or NAICS code does not guarantee operational fit.

4. Verify place of performance and site conditions

Confirm every service location, travel expectation, site-visit requirement, access restriction, and local labor consideration. Look for contradictions between the summary, line items, and attachments.

5. Confirm your own eligibility

Check the set-aside, size standard, required representations, and any socioeconomic program rules against your company's current status. Do not rely on an automated match to establish eligibility.

6. Build a deadline map

List the question deadline, site visit, registration steps, document requests, proposal deadline, and exact submission method. Work backward to leave time for internal review and delivery problems.

7. Test the economics

Estimate direct labor, supervision, fringe and wage obligations, equipment, supplies, travel, insurance, overhead, risk, and cash-flow timing. Check whether the contract structure supports a sustainable price.

8. Follow the submission instructions exactly

Verify required volumes, page limits, file names, forms, signatures, certifications, email addresses or portals, and receipt rules. Before sending, compare the final package against the solicitation one line at a time.