Why SLED Is a Goldmine of Its Own
While most contractors fight over federal contracts on SAM.gov, the SLED market operates on its own procurement platforms — with less competition, faster decisions, and relationships that last for decades.
SLED Market by the Numbers
Sourced from NASPO, Census Bureau, and GovWin IQ 2024–2025 data
California: The #1 SLED Market in the U.S.
California state and local government spending exceeds $300 billion annually, making it the single largest SLED market in the country. With 58 counties, 482 cities, and the world's 5th largest economy, California SLED represents an unparalleled opportunity for Southern California-based contractors.
Our SLED Contracting Services
Everything you need to win state, local, and education contracts — from opportunity discovery to proposal submission.
SLED Opportunity Discovery
Our AI monitors 50+ state and local procurement portals — including DemandStar, BidSync, Cal eProcure, and state-specific platforms — delivering pre-qualified SLED opportunities daily.
State Contract Vehicle Access
We help you get on state-level contract vehicles (California CMAS, NASPO ValuePoint, WSCA) that allow direct award without competitive bidding.
Local Government Relationship Building
We help you build relationships with county purchasing officers, city procurement managers, and school district administrators who award contracts directly.
Education Market Strategy
K-12 school districts and higher education institutions have unique procurement rules and budget cycles. We navigate the education market to identify and win IT, staffing, and professional services contracts.
SLED Proposal Writing
SLED proposals have different requirements than federal proposals. Our Shipley-trained writers understand state and local evaluation criteria and craft proposals that win.
SLED Pipeline Management
We build and manage your 12-24 month SLED opportunity pipeline, tracking bid dates, budget cycles, and relationship touchpoints across all target agencies.
SLED vs. Federal: Why Smart Contractors Pursue Both
| Factor | Federal | SLED |
|---|---|---|
| Award Timeline | 6–12 months | 8–12 weeks |
| Average Bidders | 20–50+ | 5–8 |
| Procurement Visibility | SAM.gov (public) | 50+ separate portals |
| Clearance Required | Often yes | Rarely |
| Contract Term | 1–5 years | 3–5 years |
| Relationship Importance | High | Very High |
| Annual Market Size | $700B+ | $2T+ |
| Past Performance Required | Yes (3+ years) | Often flexible |