Get inspired by the suggestions provided by SamSearch to get better ideas for queries to search for.
Search Types
SamSearch now supports multiple opportunity types beyond just Federal contracts. Toggle between different search types to find the opportunities that match your business needs.Federal Contracts 🏛️
Traditional government contracts and solicitations
SLED Opportunities 🏙️
State, Local, and Education contracts
Forecasts 🔮
Upcoming contract opportunities
Subcontracting 💼
Subcontracting opportunities from prime contractors
Grants 💰
Federal grant opportunities
SBIR/STTR 🚀
Small Business Innovation Research opportunities
DIBBS 📦
Defense Logistics Agency opportunities
Search Modes
Semantic Search (Default)
Use natural language to describe what you’re looking for. No need for specific keywords or boolean operators. Examples:- “AI solutions for cybersecurity”
- “construction services for government buildings”
- “software development for healthcare systems”
Keyword Search (Lexical Search)
For advanced users who want precise control over search terms using boolean operators and exact phrases with Lucene syntax. Basic Examples:("cybersecurity" AND "AI") OR (NOT "project management")"construction" AND ("government" OR "federal")"software" AND "healthcare" AND NOT "hardware"
Unsupported Characters: The following characters must be escaped with backslashes when used in searches:
{, }, [, ], :, <, >, +, -Examples:- Use
C\+\+instead ofC++ - Use
\[2024\]instead of[2024] - Use
\{contract\}instead of{contract}
Switch between search modes using the toggle above the search bar. Semantic search is recommended for most users.
Search Type Tutorials
Here are detailed tutorials for each search type:Federal Contracts
Learn how to search federal contracting opportunities:
Federal contracts are traditional government solicitations posted on SAM.gov. Use this search type to find opportunities from all federal agencies including DOD, GSA, VA, and more.
SLED Opportunities
Watch how to search State, Local, and Education opportunities:
SLED opportunities include contracts from state governments, local municipalities, school districts, and educational institutions across the United States.
Federal Grants
Learn how to find federal grant opportunities:
Federal grants provide funding for research, development, and various programs. Search through opportunities from NIH, NSF, DOE, and other grant-making agencies.
Forecasts
See how to search upcoming contract opportunities:
Forecasts show upcoming opportunities that agencies plan to release. Get a head start on preparation by monitoring future contracting opportunities.
DIBBS Opportunities
Learn about Defense Logistics Agency opportunities:
DIBBS (Defense Logistics Agency Internet Bid Board System) contains opportunities specifically from the Defense Logistics Agency for supplies and services.
Multi-Search
Learn how to search across multiple sources simultaneously:
Search across multiple opportunity types simultaneously to get comprehensive results. Select multiple search types to find opportunities that might fit different aspects of your business.
Filters
Use filters to refine your search results based on specific criteria. Each search type has its own specialized filters.| Sort by | Filter by |
|---|---|
| Relevance | Contract type (Solicitation) |
| Due date | Dept. / Ind. Agency |
| Alphabetically | Set Aside Code |
| Posted date | State |
Q: How can I search using filters?A: Use filters to find exactly what you’re looking for by combining different criteria:Example - Finding Active Texas Contracts:
- Go to SLED opportunities
- Click “Active Only” filter
- Scroll to the State filter dropdown
- Select “Texas”
- Get all active Texas contracts
- By Industry: Use NAICS code filter + state filter
- By Contract Type: Filter by “Construction” + specific agency
- By Timeline: Use “Active Only” + due date filters
- By Location: State filter + jurisdiction filter for SLED
Search Results
Once you find relevant opportunities in your search results, click on any contract to view detailed information and take action.Next Step: Learn how to navigate and use contract pages effectively on the Contract Page Overview page.
NAICS Codes
To search withNAICS codes, enter the relevant code into the search field to find businesses or industries categorized under that specific classification, helping you target your search more precisely.
Here’s a preview of our recommended Chrome extension for NAICS codes:
Search Tips
For Best Results
- Use natural language - Describe what you’re looking for in plain English
- Be specific - Include industry, service type, or location when relevant
- Try different search types - Some opportunities might be listed under different categories
- Use filters strategically - Start broad, then narrow down with filters
- Save searches - Use the save search feature to monitor for new opportunities
Power Search Tips
- Exact phrase matching: Use quotes like “cybersecurity consulting” to find exact phrases
- Combine terms (in keyword mode): Use AND, OR, NOT to connect search terms
- Partial word matching (in keyword mode): Use * to find words that start with your term
- Search specific fields: Use title:“construction” AND summary:“government” to search specific parts
Saving and Managing Results
Save Search
Use the Save Search button to store your current search criteria for future use. This is especially helpful for:- Regular market monitoring
- Specific opportunity types you track
- Complex searches you want to repeat
- Team collaboration on opportunity research
Learn more about managing your saved searches on the Saved Searches page.
Save Opportunities
Click the Save button on any result to add it to your Saved Opportunities page. This allows you to:- Review opportunities later without losing them
- Build a pipeline of potential contracts
- Share opportunities with your team
- Track your opportunity research progress
Your saved searches and opportunities are automatically organized and easily accessible from the main navigation.