Question 1

What is a Win Probability Index for government contracting?

Accepted Answer

The Win Probability Index (WPI) is a 0 to 100 score that measures how likely a small business is to win federal government contracts based on their SAM.gov registration completeness. It factors in NAICS code specificity, active certifications (SDVOSB, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone), past performance documentation, and whether profile elements that contracting officers check are complete. A WPI below 50 means several of the profile elements contracting officers check are incomplete or missing.

Question 2

How do I check my SAM.gov profile for gaps?

Accepted Answer

Enter your UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) in BidWatchHQ's free SAM.gov Profile Autopsy tool. In under 60 seconds, it returns your Win Probability Index scored 0 to 100, a breakdown of the specific gaps pulling your score down, and which federal agencies are currently behind on their small business spending goals for your certification types , at no cost, with no account required.

Question 3

What is a UEI number and where do I find it?

Accepted Answer

A UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov that uniquely identifies your business for federal contracting. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You can find your UEI by logging into SAM.gov and viewing your entity registration, or by searching your business name in the SAM.gov public search. A UEI is required before you can bid on any federal contract.

Question 4

Why do small businesses fail to win government contracts?

Accepted Answer

The most common reasons small businesses fail to win government contracts are: incomplete SAM.gov registration (missing NAICS codes, expired registration, no past performance), pursuing contracts outside their competitive range, missing solicitation amendments that change requirements, submitting non-compliant proposals, and not targeting agencies that have spending goals aligned with their certifications. BidWatchHQ's SAM.gov Profile Autopsy identifies which of these gaps apply to your specific registration.

Question 5

What federal certifications help small businesses win more government contracts?

Accepted Answer

The main small business certifications that unlock federal set-aside contracts are: SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, 5% federal spending goal), WOSB/EDWOSB (Women-Owned, 5% federal spending goal), 8(a) Business Development (socially disadvantaged, allows sole-source awards up to $4.5M for services), HUBZone (historically underutilized business zones, 3% federal spending goal), and SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business). Each certification restricts certain contracts to certified firms only. BidWatchHQ's autopsy flags which certifications your SAM.gov profile shows and whether they're correctly configured.

Question 6

How long does it take to start winning federal government contracts?

Accepted Answer

Most small businesses submit their first proposal within 30 to 90 days of completing SAM.gov registration. Winning a first contract typically takes 6 to 18 months and 5 to 15 submitted proposals, depending on NAICS code competitiveness, certification status, and proposal quality. Businesses with complete SAM.gov profiles, relevant certifications, and documented past performance win at significantly higher rates. The BidWatchHQ SAM.gov Profile Autopsy identifies exactly which factors are reducing your win probability before you spend time on proposals.

Question 7

Is the SAM.gov Profile Autopsy free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The BidWatchHQ SAM.gov Profile Autopsy is completely free. Enter your UEI and receive your Win Probability Index, a factor-by-factor gap analysis, and agency spending pressure signals in under 60 seconds , no account required, no credit card, no sales call.

See exactly where you stand on federal contracts, in 60 seconds.