Can a sole proprietor bid on government contracts?

Public buyers judge whether a supplier can do the work, not its legal form. A sole proprietor registers on the same portals as any firm: SAM.gov in the US, CanadaBuys in Canada, Find a Tender in the UK.

What to check before you bid

• Mandatory requirements: minimum turnover, years in business, number of similar projects, or several named resources can rule out one-person firms.
• Insurance: professional and general liability at the stated levels, which you'll need to carry yourself.
• Capacity: some buyers ask how you'd cover illness or holidays. Have a named backup or partner.
• Security clearance for some federal work, which needs a sponsoring contract.
• Employment status: where a contract is really one person's time, buyers may need to check it isn't disguised employment for tax purposes, such as under the UK's off-payroll working rules.

Where independents do well

• Low-value purchases made by quote, below the tender threshold.
• Specialist roles under supply arrangements and frameworks.
• Subcontracting to a larger firm that needs your skill.
• Joint bids with other small firms for bigger work.

Start small and specific: see how to win your first government contract.