GovCon w/ Cortney

Call Directions Website Contact the business

GovCon w/ Cortney Hi, I'm Cortney, a business development consultant at GovCon w/ Cortney LLC. We help small businesses succeed in government contracting. Let's connect!

Join my YouTube sessions for expert tips.

Friday check-in for every business thinking about government contracts 💭Before you chase your next bid, ask yourself:✅ I...
10/09/2026

Friday check-in for every business thinking about government contracts 💭

Before you chase your next bid, ask yourself:
✅ Is my SAM.gov registration active?
✅ Can I explain what I offer a federal buyer in two sentences?
✅ Do I know which agencies buy what I sell?
✅ Can I perform if I win?

A "not yet" isn't a failure. It's your plan for the next 30 days.

Which one is your biggest gap right now? Drop it in the comments, and have a great weekend!

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=bid-readiness

Did you know small federal awards are meant to go to small businesses first? 👇Under FAR 19.502-2, purchases above the mi...
10/09/2026

Did you know small federal awards are meant to go to small businesses first? 👇

Under FAR 19.502-2, purchases above the micro-purchase threshold and up to the simplified acquisition threshold (generally $15,000 to $350,000 per FAR 2.101) must be set aside for small business, unless the contracting officer can't expect offers from at least two responsible small businesses.

Check the solicitation for the exact thresholds, since exceptions apply.

Takeaway: don't skip the smaller opportunities. They're a great way to build past performance.

What size contract are you aiming for first? Tell us in the comments.

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=set-aside-sat

Source: acquisition.gov FAR 19.502-2 and 2.101 (accessed Oct 9, 2026).

Quick SAM.gov check-up for every government contractor 👇Your SAM representations and certifications must be reviewed at ...
10/09/2026

Quick SAM.gov check-up for every government contractor 👇

Your SAM representations and certifications must be reviewed at least once a year, and they are only effective for one year from the date you submit or update them (FAR 4.1201).

This week: open your SAM.gov record, check the last update date, and set a reminder before the anniversary.

When is your SAM renewal due? Share a tip for remembering it in the comments.

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=sam-reps-certs

Source: acquisition.gov FAR 4.1201 (accessed Oct 8, 2026).

Do you know your NAICS code's "small business" size standard? SBA has proposed changes, and the comment window just got ...
10/08/2026

Do you know your NAICS code's "small business" size standard? SBA has proposed changes, and the comment window just got longer.

SBA proposed new size standards in August, and a notice published Sept 24 extends the comment period to November 20, 2026. It is a proposal, not a final rule, so nothing has changed yet.

Quick homework: find your primary NAICS code, check its current size standard, and note whether you are close to the line.

Which NAICS code do you work under? Drop it below 👇

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=sba-size-standards

Sources: Federal Register, SBA Small Business Size Standards, FR Doc. 2026-19546 (comment extension); Holland & Knight summary of the Aug 20, 2026 proposals. Reviewed Oct 8, 2026.

Ever wonder why some government contracts are "set aside" for small businesses and others are not?It comes down to the R...
10/08/2026

Ever wonder why some government contracts are "set aside" for small businesses and others are not?

It comes down to the Rule of Two (FAR 19.502-2). If the contracting officer reasonably expects offers from at least two responsible small businesses, and an award at a fair market price, the buy is set aside for small business.

The takeaway: the agency has to be able to find you. A complete SAM.gov profile, correct NAICS codes and a clear capability statement help you get counted.

Does the government know your business exists? Tell us in the comments 👇

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=rule-of-two

Source: acquisition.gov FAR 19.502-2 (accessed Oct 8, 2026).

Government funding update for small business contractors: federal agencies are funded through December 11, 2026 under th...
10/08/2026

Government funding update for small business contractors: federal agencies are funded through December 11, 2026 under the FY2027 continuing resolution.

What that usually means: spending stays at last year's levels, brand-new projects are restricted, and some contract options can lapse. What keeps moving: recompetes on already-funded work and smaller simplified acquisitions (base threshold $350,000), where small business set-aside rules still apply.

Smart move this quarter: focus on recompetes and smaller buys, and make sure your SAM.gov registration is active.

What's in your pipeline right now? Tell us below 👇

Learn more: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=cr-dec11

Sources: SpacePolicyOnline (CR date); blogs.usfcr.com (reported effects); acquisition.gov FAR 2.101. Reviewed Oct 7, 2026.

Heads up, government contractors: the Federal Acquisition Regulation is getting a rewrite.A first round of proposed rule...
10/07/2026

Heads up, government contractors: the Federal Acquisition Regulation is getting a rewrite.

A first round of proposed rules (20 FAR parts) came out June 23, 2026, and a second round (16 parts) on September 18, 2026. Each had a 30-day comment period, and the last four notices are expected later this year (source: Wiley's FAR Overhaul tracker).

Why it matters to a small business: your proposal templates and compliance checklists are built on today's clause language. If you don't have someone watching these changes, you may find out after you've already submitted.

Quick gut check: who on your team owns tracking FAR changes? 💬 Tell us in the comments.

Want help getting ready? https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=far-overhaul

Source: wiley.law FAR Overhaul Rulemaking tracker, reviewed Oct 7, 2026 (confirm at acquisition.gov).

Quick federal contracting tip for small business owners 👇Some of the smaller government buys never go out as open compet...
10/07/2026

Quick federal contracting tip for small business owners 👇

Some of the smaller government buys never go out as open competitions. Under FAR 19.502-2, purchases above the micro-purchase threshold and up to the simplified acquisition threshold must be set aside for small business, unless the contracting officer can't reasonably expect offers from at least two responsible small businesses. That's the "Rule of Two."

Right now the base numbers are $15,000 (micro-purchase) and $350,000 (simplified acquisition). Thresholds can change, so double-check acquisition.gov before you rely on them.

The takeaway: contracting officers find "two" by looking at what's out there. A current SAM.gov registration, accurate NAICS codes and a clear capability statement help make sure you're one of them.

Are your SAM.gov details current? Start here: https://www.govconwcortney.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=rule-of-two

Source: FAR 19.502-2 and FAR 2.101, acquisition.gov (verified Oct 7, 2026)

Thinking about selling to the federal government? Here's the honest truth: being ready matters more than being excited.B...
10/06/2026

Thinking about selling to the federal government? Here's the honest truth: being ready matters more than being excited.

Before you chase a bid, check the basics:
📌 Is your registration active?
📌 Do you know your NAICS codes?
📌 Can you explain what you do in two sentences?
📌 Do you know who buys what you sell?

Which one feels like your biggest gap right now? Drop it in the comments, we'll point you in the right direction. 👇

https://www.govconwcortney.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=readiness-over-enthusiasm

Quick federal contracting check for small business owners: when does your SAM.gov registration expire?Under FAR 4.1102(a...
10/06/2026

Quick federal contracting check for small business owners: when does your SAM.gov registration expire?

Under FAR 4.1102(a), you need to be registered in SAM when you submit an offer or quote (a few narrow exceptions apply). And registrations are customarily valid for 365 days, so this one comes around every year.

Do this today:
✅ Log in to SAM.gov and find your expiration date
✅ Put a reminder on your calendar well before it
✅ Make sure your legal business name and address are current

Five minutes now beats a missed bid later.

Source: FAR 4.1102 (FAC 2026-01, effective 3/13/2026), acquisition.gov/far/4.1102; SAM.gov entity registration expiration alert (365-day standard), sam.gov/alerts/entity-registration-expiration-dates

More plain-English federal contracting tips: https://www.govconwcortney.com/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=daily-education&utm_content=sam-registration-current

Address

224 Turnersburg Highway #1032
Statesville, NC
28625

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17049466383

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when GovCon w/ Cortney posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to GovCon w/ Cortney:

Shortcuts

Share

Category