Bonding Help for Government Contracts

Federal construction contracts over $150,000 need payment and performance bonds by law (the Miller Act). Grounds, custodial and facilities contracts need a bond only when the solicitation asks for one, so check the solicitation's bonding section before you shop for one.

Start with free help

• Your local APEX Accelerator: Free counseling, including what a solicitation's bond requirement means for your bid.
• SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program: Helps small businesses get bonded when a surety company wouldn't take them on alone.
• SBA's list of surety bond agencies: Agencies that work with SBA's bond guarantee program, by state.
• Treasury's Circular 570: The list of surety companies approved to write federal bonds.

When paid help makes sense

Most small firms get bonded through a surety bond agent. Agents are licensed insurance producers, usually paid a commission by the surety company, so ask how their fee works before you sign anything.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Are you licensed as an insurance producer in my state? Check with your state insurance department or NAIC's license lookup.
• Which surety companies do you place bonds with, and are they on Treasury's Circular 570 list?
• Have you bonded service contractors like me, and for what size of contract?
• What will you need from me, such as financial statements and past jobs, and how long does approval take?

Red flags

• Charges you to register in SAM.gov or to apply for VetCert. Both are free.
• Looks like a government website, or emails you a "final notice" to renew.
• Asks for your SAM.gov login. SAM.gov's rules don't allow sharing it.
• Guarantees you'll win a contract.

These pages list free public resources. Veteran Rebids is not affiliated with any agency or program named here, and no one pays to appear on them.