Guided path

Find your starting point

Tell us roughly where your product is and what you sell. "Not sure" is a fine answer.

Your choices only suggest public resources to read. They do not decide eligibility for any program or contract.

Deeper reading Start here

Understand the buying process

An approved need, available funding and a payment are different things. Follow a typical direct federal contract from the first requirement to money reaching your company.

Already funded programs may have stages 2 to 4 done before you arrive. Not every purchase needs a new vote in Congress, and stages often overlap. Grants, other transaction agreements and subcontracts follow different authorities.

• Approves requirementUnit or program leadership
• Approves funding lawCongress and the President
• Funds requirementBudget owner and fiscal official
• Signs awardContracting officer
• UsesUnit and operators
• PaysAgency disbursing office

1. 1
   Approves requirement

   A need becomes a requirement

   A unit identifies a need. Program or unit leadership validates and approves it under delegated authority. Operator enthusiasm is not a contract.

   Ask here

   • Who owns this requirement, and has it been approved?
   • What problem must the product solve, and how will it be measured?
2. 2
   Proposes budget

   A budget is requested

   The agency and the President propose a budget. A request is not enacted funding and cannot pay for an order.

3. 3
   Approves funding law

   Congress provides spending authority

   Appropriation law, signed by the President, lets agencies spend. Authorization alone is not appropriation, and appropriation is not an award to any company.

4. 4
   Funds requirement

   Funds become available to the buying office

   The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) apportions funds, then the department or service allots them to offices. A budget owner backs the requirement and a fiscal official confirms funds fit the purpose, time and amount.

   Plain words and questions

   Apportionment: OMB sets limits on what an agency may commit, by time period, project or activity. Allotment: the agency authorizes an office to commit funds within its assigned limit. These are spending limits, not a transfer to your company.

   • Is there a sponsor for this requirement?
   • Is money for this purpose available in this fiscal year, or planned for a later one?
5. 5
   Signs award

   Evaluation, selection and signature

   The buying team evaluates offers under the applicable acquisition process. An authorized selection official decides. The contracting officer signs within delegated authority after required approvals and funding assurance. The award records an obligation: a government commitment, not cash in your bank.

   Detail and questions

   Technical preference alone does not obligate funds. Contracting officers generally need funds available before signing; Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 32.702 allows an express availability-of-funds condition where authorized.

   • Which acquisition process and contract type apply?
   • What is the evaluation basis and timeline?
   • Who is the right contracting point of contact for questions on the notice?
6. 6
   Uses

   Delivery, acceptance and use

   You deliver or perform. A designated government official confirms the work meets the contract. Then the unit uses the product.

   Ask here

   • Who accepts delivery, where, and against what criteria?
7. 7
   Pays

   Invoice and payment

   A proper invoice and satisfactory performance, with acceptance documentation where required, support payment. The designated disbursing office pays you, such as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for applicable defense awards. Payment, the outlay, is actual spending, not a promise. Contract terms may allow milestone, progress or advance payments.

   Ask here

   • What makes an invoice proper, and which system takes it?
   • What payment terms does the contract set?

Selling as a subcontractor? The prime contractor signs your subcontract and pays you, not the government contracting officer. This map explains roles; it does not promise eligibility or contacts.

CUI

Controlled Unclassified Information: sensitive government information that requires safeguarding. Do not enter CUI into site forms or public AI tools.

Deeper reading Who actually buys Read the money

Funding process sources OMB A-11 section 10 GAO funds glossary FAR 1.602-1 FAR 32.702 FAR 32.905

Choose where to focus

These are the paths suggested by your Step 1 stage and product choices. Choose where to focus; your selections will carry into your downloadable summary.

Change your Step 1 choices

Deeper reading Pathway map Compare all doors

Prepare your next move

Resources that match your focus. All of this is optional.

• Templates and AI promptsPublic. Read and copy any time.
• Editable template filesFree with your email.
• Opportunity previewFree and public. The full live tracker comes with a paid subscription to The TallyPoint Brief.

No paid subscription or download unlock is needed to continue through this guide.

Deeper reading Templates A to H

Follow your 30/60/90 roadmap

Here is what you chose. The roadmap page lays out what to do in your first 30, 60 and 90 days.

Open the 30/60/90 roadmap