Minimum set
First contract stack
Register the entity, look for help, keep ordinary books, and learn where spending and subcontract notices are posted. This is a minimum set, not a complete office.
Compare tools that find contract opportunities.
Published prices of $0, added together: $0. QuickBooks Online publishes monthly prices. They stay on its row below and are not added into that figure. No public price is listed for USAspending.gov or SBA SUBNet. Those amounts are not estimated.
SAM.gov
SAM.gov is the federal system where a company registers to do business with the government. The entity checklist says registration is free.
Free
SAM.gov is FREE to use. There is no charge to get a Unique Entity ID, register your entity, and maintain your entity registration.
Plan Amount Source Entity registration (no charge to get a Unique Entity ID, register, or maintain the registration). SAM.gov is FREE to use. There is no charge to get a Unique Entity ID, register your entity, and maintain your entity registration $0 per month Source Oct 19, 2026 FedRAMP FedRAMP marketplace status: Not listed. No matching product on the FedRAMP products page checked 2026-10-16. Source Oct 16, 2026
APEX Accelerators
APEX Accelerators give no-cost guidance to businesses that want to sell to federal, state, and local governments, including companies that are new to contracting.
Free
APEX Accelerators offer no-cost guidance and support services to help your business succeed in the government marketplace.
Plan Amount Source Guidance and support (no-cost guidance and support). APEX Accelerators offer no-cost guidance and support services to help your business succeed in the government marketplace. $0 per month Source Oct 19, 2026 FedRAMP FedRAMP marketplace status: Not listed. No matching product on the FedRAMP products page checked 2026-10-16. Source Oct 16, 2026
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is small-business accounting software with published monthly prices. It is a general ledger, not a system built for government contract accounting.
Public price
Each plan also shows a lower price for the first 3 months. These figures are the Small business view.
Plan Amount Source Simple Start (1 user, plus access for 2 accountants). The page also prints $19 per month with the line 50% off for 3 months. See the Simple Start offer row. $38 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Simple Start, 3-month offer (per month for 3 months). Printed as $19/mo with the line 50% off for 3 months, beside a $38 figure. $19 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Essentials (3 users, plus access for 2 accountants). The page also prints $42.50 per month with the line 50% off for 3 months. $85 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Essentials, 3-month offer (per month for 3 months). Printed as $42.50/mo with the line 50% off for 3 months, beside an $85 figure. $42.50 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Plus (5 users, plus access for 2 accountants). The page also prints $70 per month with the line 50% off for 3 months. $140 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Plus, 3-month offer (per month for 3 months). Printed as $70/mo with the line 50% off for 3 months, beside a $140 figure. $70 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Advanced (25 users, plus access for 3 accountants). The page also prints $170 per month with the line 50% off for 3 months. $340 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 Advanced, 3-month offer (per month for 3 months). Printed as $170/mo with the line 50% off for 3 months, beside a $340 figure. $170 per month Source Oct 15, 2026 FedRAMP FedRAMP marketplace status: Not listed. No matching product on the FedRAMP products page checked 2026-10-16. Source Oct 16, 2026
USAspending.gov
USAspending.gov is a U.S. government website for looking up federal spending, including contracts and awards.
SBA SUBNet
SBA SUBNet is the database where prime contractors post subcontracting notices and small businesses can search them.
A longer list of what fits a first contract is separate: what fits a first contract.