Government Contracting Orientation is offered at no cost because a clear understanding benefits the entire government contracting ecosystem. Providing a realistic orientation helps entrepreneurs understand the industry before pursuing government work, leading to stronger performance and better outcomes across government programs. We are the authority in govcon compliance and delivery. As an organization focused on execution, accountability, and delivery standards, FMI believes it has a responsibility to support informed participation in GovCon so that agencies and taxpayers receive real value from service providers.
Before you register.
Before you search for opportunities.
Before you submit your first bid.
It’s worth understanding the environment you’re stepping into.
“After watching a lot of GovCon content on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, this was the first course that actually explained how the system works and what I’d be responsible for after award. It helped me slow down and get realistic.”
“Government Contracting Orientation cut through a lot of the noise I was hearing online. It didn’t push me to bid. It helped me understand the environment and make smarter decisions.”
“I appreciated how grounded this course was. It gave me a realistic picture of how government contracting works, including registration and entry, without overselling the opportunity.”
FMI was created by professionals who have spent years managing and delivering government contracts—working with Contracting Officers, CORs, and program offices and navigating the realities of government oversight.
We’re not a bid shop.
We’re not selling shortcuts.
And we’re not teaching theory disconnected from execution.
FMI focuses on how GovCon actually works, because understanding the system early matters more than speed.
Government Contracting Orientation is designed for:
Individuals exploring government contracting as a business opportunity
New or prospective GovCon business owners
Small businesses preparing to pursue government work
Professionals seeking a credible, non-hype introduction to GovCon
If you’re looking for quick wins or tactical bidding tricks, this course will likely feel slow.
If you want clarity before committing time and resources, you’re in the right place.
These modules focus on:
Context
Expectations
Responsibility
Readiness
They are designed to help you understand the system before taking action.
These modules cover:
GovCon basics and opportunity framing
Business setup and registration
Positioning, NAICS codes, and certifications
Finding and bidding on opportunities
What winning and early delivery typically involve
Together, the course provides a complete, grounded view of how government contracting is commonly approached.
100% online and self-paced on your computer or smartphone
Structured lessons with clear progression
Designed to be completed thoughtfully, not rushed
The federal government spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year purchasing services and solutions from industry.
That work is performed by:
Small businesses
Specialty firms
Even one-person operations
People do succeed in government contracting — across a wide range of business models.
But success rarely comes from rushing in.
Most problems don’t show up during registration or bidding.
They show up after the award, when accountability, oversight, and delivery begin.
Government Contracting Orientation was created to address that gap.
This course is not about teaching you how to win contracts.
It’s about helping you understand the environment you’re entering so you can make informed decisions.
You’ll gain clarity on:
What government contracting actually is and how it differs from commercial work
How the federal contracting ecosystem is structured
What registration and classification systems represent
How businesses position themselves in the GovCon market
How opportunities are commonly identified and pursued
What typically happens after a contract is awarded
The goal isn’t motivation.
The goal is orientation.
Before you bid, register, or commit resources, start by understanding the system you’re entering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Government Contracting Orientation is offered at no cost. FMI provides this course to promote informed participation in government contracting and to support stronger outcomes for agencies, service providers, and taxpayers.
The course was developed by the Federal Management Institute, an organization led by practitioners with direct experience managing and delivering federal contracts. The content reflects real-world GovCon operations, not theory or marketing-driven advice.
No. Government Contracting Orientation is an orientation course, not a certification. It is designed to help you understand the federal contracting environment before deciding how to proceed.
No. This course focuses on orientation and understanding. It explains how the GovCon environment works and how businesses typically enter it, but it does not provide tactical proposal writing or bid execution training.
No. While many participants are new to or exploring GovCon, the course is also helpful for established businesses seeking a clearer understanding of federal contracting expectations and operating norms.
The course is self-paced. Most participants complete it in a few hours, but you can move through the material at your own pace and revisit modules as needed.
That depends on your goals. Some participants proceed with registration and the pursuit of opportunities, while others choose to pause or refine their approach. The course is designed to support clarity, not push a specific next step.