Can a Canadian company bid on US federal government contracts?

Registration itself is open to foreign firms: SAM.gov is free and gives your firm a Unique Entity ID. Being registered does not make every opportunity open to you, though.

What limits a Canadian bidder

• Set-asides. A large share of the federal IT work small firms win is set aside for US small businesses, including 8(a), HUBZone, women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned programs. A Canadian company can't bid on these directly.
• Trade agreement coverage. Trade agreements open some federal contracts above set values to suppliers from partner countries. Coverage depends on the agency and the contract value, and the values change, so check the notice and current rules on acquisition.gov.
• Domestic preference rules. The Buy American Act and related rules favour US products in many purchases.
• Defence and security work is often closed to foreign firms, and work needing clearances usually requires a US entity.

Realistic routes in

• Subcontract to a US prime that holds the contract or vehicle you need.
• Team with a US small business on bids where your specialism fills a gap.
• Set up a US subsidiary, which may be able to qualify as a small business if it meets the SBA rules for ownership and size.

Start with the US country guide, and look at state and city tenders too, where many contracts are open to out-of-state and foreign bidders.