Opportunity Search Basics
Master the fundamentals of finding government contract opportunities with our powerful search tools.
What You'll Learn
This guide covers the essential search features: using the search bar, applying basic filters, understanding search results, and navigating through opportunities efficiently.
Using the Search Bar
The search bar is your starting point for finding opportunities. You can search by keywords, agency names, contract descriptions, or specific solicitation numbers.
Effective search techniques:
- Keywords: Search for terms like "IT services", "construction", or "consulting"
- Agency names: Find opportunities from specific agencies like "GSA" or "Department of Defense"
- Solicitation numbers: Look up specific RFPs using their reference numbers
- Quotation marks: Use "exact phrases" to find specific terminology
Pro Tip:
Start with broad searches and then narrow down using filters. This helps you discover opportunities you might have missed with overly specific initial searches.
Essential Filters
Use these core filters to quickly narrow down your search results and find the most relevant opportunities.
Location
Filter by state or zip code
- • State-level filtering
- • Zip code radius searches
- • Multi-state selection
Contract Value
Set minimum and maximum dollar amounts
- • Small business thresholds
- • Custom value ranges
- • Estimated vs. actual values
Due Dates
Find opportunities by response deadlines
- • Next 30 days
- • Custom date ranges
- • Recently posted
Agency Type
Filter by government level and agency
- • Federal agencies
- • State and local
- • Specific departments
Understanding Search Results
Each search result provides key information to help you quickly assess opportunities and decide which ones to pursue.
Key information displayed:
Basic Details
- • Opportunity title and description
- • Issuing agency and contact info
- • Solicitation number and type
- • Publication and due dates
Commercial Info
- • Estimated contract value
- • Contract duration and options
- • Set-aside classifications
- • NAICS codes and descriptions
Reading Result Cards
Each opportunity card shows the most critical information at a glance. Look for the status indicators, urgency badges, and match scores to prioritize which opportunities to review first.
Quick Actions and Navigation
Take immediate action on interesting opportunities without losing your place in the search results.
Available actions:
- Save opportunities for later review
- View full opportunity details
- Export results to spreadsheet
- Refine search with more filters
Search Tips
- • Use the browser's back button to return to previous search results
- • Bookmark promising searches to repeat them later
- • Use the "Similar Opportunities" feature to find related contracts
Ready for More Advanced Features?
Now that you've mastered the basics, explore advanced search capabilities to find even more targeted opportunities.
Need help with your searches?
Contact Support