Live US Federal Contract Opportunities
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How to Become a Government Space Supplier
Entering the government space supply chain takes a few prerequisites. It sounds bureaucratic but the barriers are lower than most companies assume — and the contract sizes make it worth the effort.
01
Get a UEI / SAM.gov Registration
Every company doing business with the federal government needs a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a SAM.gov registration. It's free and takes about a week. This is the foundation — you can't receive federal contracts without it.
02
Identify Your NAICS Codes
NAICS codes describe what your company does. Space-relevant codes include 336415 (Guided Missiles), 336414 (Guided Missile Propulsion), 541715 (R&D in Physical Sciences), and 517410 (Satellite Telecom). Pick the codes that match your capability.
03
Check Small Business Status
NASA and DoD have set-aside contracts specifically for small businesses, woman-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and 8(a) certified companies. These are less competitive and a great entry point. Check your eligibility at certify.sba.gov.
04
Apply for SBIR / STTR Funding
The Small Business Innovation Research program gives Phase I grants ($200K) and Phase II grants ($1.9M) to small companies developing space technology. NASA SBIR specifically looks for flight hardware, sensors, propulsion, and AI. No contract experience required.
05
Register on NASA SEWP
NASA's SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement) contract vehicle is one of the most widely used ways to sell IT and technology products to NASA. Becoming a SEWP holder puts you on a pre-approved vendor list used across the agency.
06
Target Prime Contractor Supplier Portals
Once you have federal registration, approach the prime contractors (SpaceX, Lockheed, Northrop, Boeing). They all have formal supplier qualification programs. Being on their approved vendor list means you get invited to bid on subcontracts.
US Government Procurement Portals
SAM.gov
System for Award Management · Federal Acquisition Service
Live — Free API
The central database for all US federal contract opportunities — RFQs, RFPs, Solicitations, Awards. If it's a government space contract, it's listed here. All public data is free to access. Registration takes about 10 days for new companies.
What you find: NASA contracts, AFRL RFQs, Space Force solicitations, DoD awards
Search SAM.gov ↗
NASA SBIR / STTR
Small Business Innovation Research · sbir.nasa.gov
Grants Available
NASA's innovation funding program for small businesses. Phase I: up to $150K for feasibility research. Phase II: up to $750K for prototype development. Phase III: transition to commercial use — no cap. NASA releases SBIR solicitations twice per year.
What you find: Technology research grants, space innovation contracts, prototype funding
NASA SBIR ↗
NASA SEWP
Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement · sewp.nasa.gov
Open to Vendors
A government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC) that lets NASA and other agencies buy IT and related products quickly. Vendors on the SEWP contract list get access to orders from across the federal government — not just NASA.
What you find: IT products, software, cloud, hardware, and tech service contracts
SEWP Vendor Info ↗
NASA Acquisition Forecast
NASA Office of Procurement · acquisition.nasa.gov
12-Month Preview
NASA publishes a 12-month forecast of upcoming procurements — before they're posted as official solicitations. This is invaluable for planning and positioning. You can see what's coming months in advance and prepare your capability statement.
What you find: Upcoming NASA contracts, estimated values, contracting office contacts
NASA Forecast ↗
SpaceWERX / AFWERX
Air Force / Space Force Innovation · afwerx.com
SBIR + Contracts
SpaceWERX (under AFWERX) is the US Space Force's innovation hub — focused on rapidly contracting with small companies and non-traditional defense contractors. They use SBIR, OTA (Other Transaction Authority), and rapid-prototype contracts to move fast.
What you find: Space Force R&D contracts, rapid prototype awards, SBIR Phase I/II
SpaceWERX ↗
DARPA Opportunities
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Open Solicitations
DARPA funds the highest-risk, highest-reward space research — autonomous satellites, on-orbit servicing, launch on demand, space propulsion breakthroughs. Non-traditional — no contract experience required to apply. Proposals evaluated purely on technical merit.
What you find: BAAs (Broad Agency Announcements), research grants, advanced tech programs
DARPA Opportunities ↗
SBIR / STTR — The Best Entry Point for Small Companies
$4B+
Annual US SBIR Funding
$150K
Phase I Award (no-match)
$750K
Phase II Prototype Award
2x/yr
NASA Solicitation Cycles
If you're a small company with a technology relevant to space — sensors, materials, software, propulsion components, communications, robotics — the SBIR program is the single best way to get your first government contract. Phase I requires a proposal, not a track record. Awards are given based on technical merit. Many successful space startups got their first real revenue from SBIR funding.
International Procurement Portals
No public APIs — these are web portals. Links go directly to the active tender/procurement pages. They update themselves; check back when new solicitation cycles open.
🇪🇺 ESA STAR — Tenders
European Space Agency Supply Technology Assessment & Registration
Web Portal
ESA's procurement portal for all tenders, contracts, and supplier registration. Any company looking to supply hardware, software, or services to ESA must be registered on STAR. Tenders are published here first — before any other source.
What you find: ESA mission hardware RFQs, R&D contracts, service tenders from member state agencies
ESA STAR Tenders ↗
🇪🇺 ESA Supplier Registration (EMITS)
ESA Electronic Mail Invitation to Tender System
Registration Required
To bid on ESA contracts, your company must be registered in EMITS as a qualified supplier. Registration is open to companies in ESA member states and associated states. Once registered, ESA will invite you directly to relevant tenders.
What you need: Company registration, capabilities statement, quality certification (ECSS preferred)
EMITS Supplier Portal ↗
🇯🇵 JAXA Procurement
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Web Portal
JAXA publishes procurement notices for hardware, services, and research on their procurement portal. International companies can participate in certain categories. Notices are published in both Japanese and English. Most contracts are with Japanese companies but international bids are accepted.
What you find: Equipment procurement, research contracts, engineering services
JAXA Procurement ↗
🇬🇧 UK Space Agency Grants
UK Space Agency · ukspaceagency.account.gov.uk
Grants + Contracts
The UK Space Agency funds research, technology development, and commercial space projects through grants, contracts, and the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). Post-Brexit, UK companies can still participate in ESA programs under a bilateral agreement.
What you find: NSIP grants, Enabling Technologies Programme, downstream application funding
UKSA Procurement ↗
🇮🇳 ISRO Procurement
Indian Space Research Organisation
Web Portal
ISRO has significantly opened its procurement to Indian private companies since 2020 reforms. International companies may partner with Indian firms for certain programs. Tender notices are published on the ISRO procurement portal.
What you find: Hardware components, ground systems, services, and R&D contracts
ISRO Tenders ↗
🇨🇦 CSA Procurement
Canadian Space Agency · buyandsell.gc.ca
Web Portal
Canada is a full Artemis partner and an active space procurement market. CSA contracts are posted on Canada's Buy and Sell portal. Strong activity in robotics (Canadarm heritage), Earth observation, and satellite communications.
What you find: Canadarm3, Lunar Gateway components, EO satellite systems, space science contracts
CSA / Canada Procurement ↗
Commercial Prime Contractor Supplier Portals
These companies manage their own supply chains. Getting on their approved vendor list means you get invited to bid on subcontracts as they win prime contracts from NASA and DoD. These are web portals — no API, but links go directly to the live supplier registration pages.
SpaceX Suppliers
Hawthorne, CA · Falcon 9, Starship, Starlink
Supplier Portal
SpaceX's supplier registration portal. They source thousands of components from external vendors — from fasteners to avionics to specialty metals. SpaceX has its own quality standards (more demanding than most primes but also faster to onboard).
Categories: Machined parts, electronics, composites, raw materials, test services
SpaceX Supplier Portal ↗
Lockheed Martin Suppliers
Orion, GPS III, military satellites
Supplier Portal
One of the largest defense supplier bases in the world. Lockheed's space division alone sources from thousands of vendors. They have formal supplier qualification requirements including AS9100 quality certification for hardware suppliers.
Categories: Structures, electronics, sensors, software, testing, materials
Lockheed Suppliers ↗
Northrop Grumman Suppliers
JWST, Cygnus, classified satellites
Supplier Portal
Northrop's supplier network spans everything from precision optics to structural composites. They publish a Supplier Code of Conduct and have an online portal for new suppliers to express interest and submit qualifications.
Categories: Optical systems, composites, electronics, ground systems, propulsion
Northrop Suppliers ↗
Boeing Suppliers
SLS, Starliner, defense satellites
Supplier Portal
Boeing's supplier base includes tens of thousands of companies. For space specifically, they source through their Defense, Space & Security division. Supplier registration is through Boeing's global Supply Chain portal.
Categories: Structures, software, avionics, propulsion, integration services
Boeing Suppliers ↗
Rocket Lab Supply Chain
Electron, Neutron, Photon spacecraft
Contact Procurement
Rocket Lab is growing its supplier base rapidly as Neutron scales up. They source carbon composite materials, precision machined parts, electronics, and propulsion components. Contact their procurement team directly for supplier qualification.
Categories: Carbon composites, machined parts, avionics, RF components
Contact Rocket Lab ↗
RTX / Raytheon Suppliers
Space surveillance, missile defense, classified payloads
Supplier Portal
RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies) runs one of the largest defense supplier networks. For space programs specifically they source advanced electronics, RF components, and sensor systems. Registration via their SupplierGateway portal.
Categories: RF/radar components, electronics, sensor systems, software
RTX SupplierGateway ↗
Looking for People, Not Contracts?
See our Space Careers page for job listings, company career pages, and government agency openings across the industry.
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