FedConnect

FedConnect is a web-based federal procurement portal operated by Unison that certain federal agencies use to post solicitations, exchange documents with vendors, and manage procurement communications as an alternative or supplement to SAM.gov Contract Opportunities.

What is FedConnect?

FedConnect is a commercial eProcurement platform that has been adopted by specific federal agencies - most notably the General Services Administration (GSA) and some Department of Energy programs - as a tool for managing procurement interactions beyond what SAM.gov's basic posting functionality provides. While SAM.gov is the mandatory government-wide portal for public solicitation announcements, FedConnect offers additional features such as secure document exchange, communication threads between vendors and contracting officers, and electronic submission capabilities.

The platform is used for solicitation types where the agency wants controlled document distribution and secure two-way communication with offerors. Certain GSA solicitations require vendors to register and access documents through FedConnect rather than downloading them freely from SAM.gov. In these cases, a contracting officer may use SAM.gov to post a synopsis or presolicitation notice while directing vendors to FedConnect to download the actual solicitation package and submit questions.

Vendor registration in FedConnect is free. Companies register using their SAM.gov UEI and CAGE Code. Registration gives access to solicitation documents posted on the platform and enables electronic communication with the contracting office through the FedConnect messaging system. Some solicitations require that all questions and communications go through FedConnect to maintain a documented record accessible to all registered vendors.

Why FedConnect matters for government contractors

Contractors who monitor only SAM.gov may miss the full solicitation package for opportunities that use FedConnect for document distribution. The SAM.gov posting may describe the opportunity, but vendors who do not separately register on FedConnect and download the solicitation documents there may find themselves without critical attachments or the ability to submit questions through the required channel. Maintaining an active FedConnect registration alongside SAM.gov registration is advisable for companies that frequently pursue GSA and DOE procurements.

Example

A managed IT services firm sees a GSA posting on SAM.gov for an enterprise IT support services contract. The synopsis notes that full solicitation documents are available only through FedConnect and that all vendor questions must be submitted via the FedConnect messaging portal. The firm's capture manager logs into FedConnect using the firm's existing registration, downloads the complete solicitation package including technical requirements, performance work statement, and pricing template, and submits two clarifying questions through the FedConnect messaging system. The questions and the contracting officer's responses are visible to all registered vendors through FedConnect, ensuring transparency across the offeror pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which agencies use FedConnect most frequently?

GSA has been among the most consistent users of FedConnect for certain IT and professional services solicitations. Some Department of Energy programs and other civilian agencies have also used FedConnect at various times. Coverage is not universal across any agency, and individual contracting offices within an agency make the determination about which platforms to use.

Is FedConnect replacing SAM.gov for any solicitations?

No. SAM.gov remains the mandatory government-wide portal for all public solicitation notices above $25,000. FedConnect supplements SAM.gov by providing additional document exchange and communication capabilities for solicitations where the agency chooses to use it. The two platforms serve different functions and are used in parallel for solicitations that employ FedConnect.

Do I need to re-register in FedConnect if I am already registered in SAM.gov?

Yes. FedConnect is a separate system with its own registration process. Your SAM.gov UEI and CAGE Code are used as identifiers during FedConnect registration, but you must separately create an account on FedConnect to access documents and messaging for solicitations posted there.

What if I miss a solicitation posted through FedConnect?

If you discover a FedConnect-based solicitation late, register in FedConnect immediately and download available documents. However, if the deadline for questions has passed, you will not be able to submit clarifying questions. For future solicitations, set up FedConnect monitoring in parallel with SAM.gov alerts for agencies in your target market where FedConnect is commonly used.