Free GovCon Tools for the work before the bid.
Use these free browser-based tools to organize your first moves: build a capability statement, answer a sources sought notice, plan better SAM.gov searches, research NAICS codes, score readiness, track outreach, evaluate teaming partners, draft prime outreach, and decide whether to bid, team, or pass.
Updated October 29, 2026. Dollar thresholds below reflect the FAR inflation adjustment effective October 1, 2025.
Choose the tool for the next federal contracting task.
These tools are deliberately practical: they help you create a starting point, then decide whether to bring the work into Marcus for a deeper review.
Capability Statement Generator
Turn company facts into a first draft
Organize NAICS, CAGE, certifications, services, differentiators, and past performance into a buyer-ready outline.
Open toolSources Sought Response Builder
Show capability before the RFP is written
Structure a response around capability, evidence, questions, and next-step language.
Open toolSAM.gov Search Plan Builder
Plan searches before chasing opportunities
Build keyword, NAICS, PSC, notice type, set-aside, agency, and deadline filters.
Open toolNAICS Code Lookup
Find likely codes to verify
Describe your service and get likely NAICS codes, search terms to test, and a Marcus follow-up prompt.
Open toolGovCon Readiness Assessment
Score the basics before you pursue
Review registration, codes, certifications, proof, pipeline, and bid discipline, then get a 30-day action plan.
Open toolAgency Contact Tracker
Keep buyer conversations organized
Track small business specialists, contracting officers, primes, proof points, and follow-up dates.
Open toolTeaming Partner Fit Scorecard
Check whether the partner actually helps
Score prime, subcontractor, and joint venture fit before sharing proof, pricing, contacts, or bid time.
Open toolPrime Contractor Outreach Email Builder
Draft a stronger subcontracting intro
Create a short introduction that shows fit, proof, and one clear next step.
Open toolBid / No-Bid Scorecard
Decide before spending days on a bid
Score fit, proof, deadline, certifications, pricing risk, competition, and teaming path.
Open toolNot sure which tool to open first?
Match your situation to a tool. Each one gives you a first draft or a score you can copy out and use the same day.
| Your situation | Start here | You walk away with |
|---|---|---|
| New to federal contracting and unsure you are ready | Readiness Assessment | A scored checklist and a 30-day action plan |
| You do not know your NAICS code | NAICS Code Lookup | Likely codes to verify, plus search terms to test |
| SAM.gov shows you far too much | SAM.gov Search Plan Builder | Keyword, NAICS, set-aside, agency, and deadline filters to save |
| An agency posted a sources sought notice | Sources Sought Response Builder | A response built around capability, proof, and questions |
| You need a one-pager for buyers | Capability Statement Generator | A first-draft outline from your company facts |
| You found a bid and cannot tell if you should chase it | Bid / No-Bid Scorecard | A GO, TEAM, or PASS call with the reasons |
| A prime might need a sub like you | Teaming Partner Fit Scorecard then Prime Outreach Email Builder | A fit score before you share pricing, then a short introduction |
| You are talking to several agencies at once | Agency Contact Tracker | A follow-up log of contacts, proof points, and dates |
Tip: If you only have an hour, run the readiness assessment, then the NAICS lookup, then the SAM.gov search plan, in that order. Those three decide what everything else should say.
Four dollar thresholds to know before you score a bid
The bid/no-bid scorecard asks about contract size, and these lines change what you can do. All four reflect the FAR inflation adjustment effective October 1, 2025.
| Threshold | Amount | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-purchase threshold | $15,000 | Agencies can buy below this with a government purchase card, often a first sale for a new vendor |
| Simplified acquisition threshold | $350,000 (general) | Above it, set-aside decisions and formal solicitation rules change |
| SDVOSB sole-source limit | $5 million ($8.5 million manufacturing) | The most an agency can award a certified SDVOSB without competition when it expects one offer |
| 8(a), WOSB, and HUBZone sole-source limit | $5.5 million ($8.5 million manufacturing) | Note it is not the same as the SDVOSB limit |
Sources: FAR 2.101, FAR 19.1406, and CRS IF13123. For every federal threshold in one place, see federal contracting thresholds for 2026-2027.
How to use the free tools without drifting into busywork.
The goal is not to fill out every worksheet. Pick one decision, produce a useful first draft, then move the real opportunity into Marcus when the stakes justify deeper review.
- Use the readiness assessment before building a pipeline.
- Use the SAM.gov plan before creating alerts or saving searches.
- Use bid/no-bid and teaming tools before proposal work expands.
Need a guide before you open the tool?
These contract guides give visitors a second path into the right lane when they are not ready to use a worksheet yet.
SAM.gov Bid Search Guide
Learn how to search before building filters
Use this if you need a cleaner search strategy before opening the planner.
Open guideCapability Statement Guide
See what strong proof looks like
Use this before building a draft if your one-pager is still too generic.
Open guidePrime Contractor Teaming Guide
Know when partnering makes sense
Use this before outreach if you are still figuring out the right prime path.
Open guideFirst Federal Contract Guide
Start with the basics in order
Use this when you need the sequence before deciding which tool to touch first.
Open guideFree GovCon tools: common questions
Are the GovScout free tools really free?
Yes. There is no login, no email requirement, and no card. Marcus, the GovScout Pro app, is the paid product, and it has a 3-day trial.
Where does what I type go?
The nine tools run in your browser, and the tool pages do not send the text you enter to our servers. Use Copy or Download to keep your result before you leave the page, because the tools do not save it for you. Like most sites, we use basic analytics to count page visits.
Which free tool should I use first?
If you are new, start with the readiness assessment, then the NAICS lookup, then the SAM.gov search plan builder. After that, build your capability statement, and use the bid/no-bid scorecard on any specific opportunity before you spend days on it.
How are the free tools different from Marcus?
The free tools turn the facts you type in into a starting draft or a score. Marcus uses your business profile and real SAM.gov opportunities to give a GO, TEAM, or PASS recommendation with reasons, so it is the step to take when a specific bid is on the line.
Can these tools tell me if I qualify for a set-aside?
No. Set-aside eligibility depends on your size under the SBA size standard for your NAICS code and, for programs like SDVOSB and 8(a), on SBA certification. Our SDVOSB guide and 8(a) sole-source guide cover those rules.
Related reading
- How to write a capability statement, before you open the generator
- Census Bureau NAICS code lookup walkthrough, to verify the codes the tool suggests
- Past performance in federal contracting, for the proof sections of your drafts
- Teaming agreement basics, before you share pricing with a partner
When you are ready, bring the draft into Marcus.
The free tools create a starting point. Marcus turns the work into a profile-aware, opportunity-aware pursuit plan inside GovScout Pro.