E-Procurement Systems Guide 2025: SAM, eBuy, FPDS & More
Complete guide to federal e-procurement systems. Learn how to use SAM.gov, eBuy, FPDS, and other essential government contracting platforms for finding and winning contracts.
Quick Answer: Key E-Procurement Systems
Federal contractors must use several key electronic systems: SAM.gov for registration, Contract Opportunities for finding solicitations, eBuy for GSA schedule quotes, and FPDS for market research. These systems are free but require registration.
SAM.gov - System for Award Management
SAM.gov is the official government system for contractor registration. You must be registered in SAM to receive federal contract awards.
SAM.gov Features
Entity Registration
Register your business to do business with the government
UEI Assignment
Get your Unique Entity Identifier (replaced DUNS)
Representations & Certs
Complete required certifications for contracting
Exclusions Search
Check for debarred or suspended entities
Registration is Free
SAM.gov registration is completely free. Beware of third-party services charging fees for registration assistance—you can do it yourself at no cost.
Contract Opportunities (formerly FBO)
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov is where agencies post solicitations over $25,000. This is the primary source for finding federal contract opportunities.
Finding Opportunities
Search Filters
Filter by NAICS code, set-aside type, agency, keywords, location
Saved Searches
Save search criteria and receive email notifications
Opportunity Types
Pre-solicitation, solicitation, award notices, sources sought
GSA eBuy
eBuy is GSA's electronic Request for Quote (RFQ) system. Agencies use it to request quotes from GSA Schedule holders.
eBuy Requirements
- ✓Must hold a GSA Schedule contract
- ✓Register on eBuy with your GSA contract number
- ✓Set up notification preferences by SIN
- ✓Respond to RFQs within specified timeframes
eBuy vs Contract Opportunities
eBuy
GSA Schedule orders only, quote-based
Contract Opportunities
All federal solicitations, proposal-based
FPDS - Federal Procurement Data System
FPDS contains data on all federal contract actions. Use it for market research to understand spending patterns, incumbent contractors, and agency buying behavior.
FPDS Research Uses
Identify Incumbents
See who currently holds contracts you want
Contract Values
Understand typical contract sizes and pricing
Agency Spending
See how much agencies spend in your NAICS
Competition Analysis
Identify your competitors and their wins
Other Important Systems
Additional E-Procurement Platforms
USAspending.gov
Comprehensive federal spending data and visualizations
DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search)
Find small business contractors or register your small business profile
SBA SubNet
Find subcontracting opportunities posted by prime contractors
WDOL (Wage Determinations Online)
Find wage rates for Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAM.gov registration really free?
Yes, SAM.gov registration is 100% free. Some third parties charge for assistance, but you can register yourself at no cost. Registration takes 7-10 business days.
How often should I check for opportunities?
Daily checking is recommended for serious contractors. Set up saved searches and email alerts so you don't miss opportunities matching your criteria.
What replaced FedBizOpps (FBO)?
Contract Opportunities on SAM.gov replaced FedBizOpps in 2019. All the same functionality is now integrated into the SAM.gov platform.
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