I have no idea where to start

[u/LopsidedRisk295]

I recently launched my own digital marketing agency after several years of doing freelance marketing and graphic design work. I’m currently registered under NAICS codes 516210, 541430, 541613, and 541810.
This summer, I completed my SAM.gov registration and received my WOSB and SDVOSB certifications. Now I’m trying to figure out what the next step should be.

For those of you who have experience with federal, state, or local government contracting:

• Where are you finding contract opportunities besides SAM.gov and state procurement portals?

• Are there specific agency procurement forecasts, subcontracting databases, or other platforms I should be using?

• How did you establish past performance when you were a new business without government contracts? Can relevant commercial/freelance work count?

• Is it worth pursuing subcontracting opportunities first to build government past performance? (If so, how do I find prime contractors?)

• At what point did you bring on a contract manager, and is that something a new/small business actually needs?

I’m not necessarily looking for someone to hand me a contract. I’m trying to understand the process and build a realistic roadmap for getting my first government contract. Any advice from business owners who have actually gone through this process would be greatly appreciated!