Government doors

A supplier readiness portal. Companies create a profile, complete a readiness assessment, and get a roadmap of next steps toward defense work.

Who it is for

New entrants, small businesses, non-traditional suppliers, and growing defense contractors.

First step

Register at lynxconnect.io and create the company profile.

Your company file holds most of what the LYNX profile asks for. Open your company file

Last verified September 27, 2026

Runs the Department's small business programs, including LYNX and the Mentor-Protege Program, and publishes small business news and events.

Who it is for

Small businesses that want to sell to or supply the Department of War.

First step

Read the newsroom and program pages, then register in LYNX.

Last verified September 27, 2026

The federal system where companies register to do business with the government and get a Unique Entity ID. Contract opportunities are also posted here.

Who it is for

Any company that wants federal contracts or awards.

First step

Create a SAM.gov account and start the entity registration.

The readiness guide in the Company Toolkit tracks your SAM.gov registration and emails you before it lapses. Open the Company Toolkit

Read our SAM.gov registration guide

Last verified September 27, 2026

A permanent DHS office, opened January 12, 2026, that buys and deploys drone and counter-drone technology.

Who it is for

Drone and counter-drone companies selling outside the Department of War.

First step

Contact the office at drones@dhs.gov.

Last verified September 27, 2026

A $1.1 billion program, in four phases, that buys small drones through competitive Gauntlet rounds and posts results on a public leaderboard. The Defense Innovation Unit runs it with the Test Resource Management Center and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane.

Who it is for

Makers of small attack drones and their component suppliers.

First step

Read the program website and the leaderboard.

Last verified September 27, 2026

The Army's 23 government-owned depots, arsenals, and ammunition plants now make small drone parts: brushless motors and circuit cards at Tobyhanna Army Depot, frames at Rock Island Arsenal, and batteries at Red River Army Depot. Army facilities can partner with outside companies on military or commercial projects under 10 U.S.C. 7544.

Who it is for

Drone companies that need U.S.-made parts or production capacity they cannot yet build themselves.

First step

Read Army Materiel Command's announcements, then contact the depot about a cooperative arrangement.

Last verified September 28, 2026

A Department of War marketplace, run by the Army and built with Amazon Web Services, where Army units, government partners, and allied nations buy drones and counter-drone systems. The Army launched it March 24, 2026, and on August 14, 2026 announced its expansion into the Department of War Drone Marketplace, covering air, maritime, ground, and counter-drone systems, with more than $750 million in sales. The Army Secretary said state, local, and federal law enforcement can buy counter-drone systems there.

Who it is for

Makers of air, maritime, ground, and counter-drone systems selling to Army units, government partners, and allied nations, and counter-drone makers selling to law enforcement.

First step

Respond to the marketplace's commercial solutions opening (CSO) on SAM.gov.

Last verified September 28, 2026

Coordinates federal support for small suppliers in the defense industrial base: enhanced SBA loan guarantees up to 90% where authorized, investment and contracting opportunities, mapping of production capacity, and removal of regulatory barriers. Drones and one-way attack systems are among its priority areas.

Who it is for

Small manufacturers and suppliers in defense-critical sectors.

First step

Read the SBA announcement and follow SBA news for how companies take part.

Last verified September 27, 2026

Makes loans and loan guarantees for critical technologies and supply chain components to draw private capital into national security production. Deals are large and long-term, and what OSC funds must be dual use.

Who it is for

Companies scaling production of critical technology with large capital needs.

First step

Read OSC's investment strategy and current notices on the official page.

The Demand Signal Sheet in the Company Toolkit sets out your orders, awards and customers in the terms a lender reads. Open the Demand Signal Sheet

Last verified September 27, 2026

Non-dilutive research and development awards to small businesses, in phases from feasibility to development.

Who it is for

Small businesses developing new technology.

First step

Search open topics on SBIR.gov.

Last verified September 27, 2026

The official list of Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States, updated at least annually. The June 2026 update, which law firms count at 188 entities, was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2026. Section 805 of the FY2024 NDAA ties Department of War contracting restrictions to this list.

Who it is for

Companies selling to the Department of War and their suppliers.

First step

Read the current list in the Federal Register.

Last verified September 27, 2026

The FCC's list of equipment and services that cannot receive new FCC equipment authorization. Foreign-made drones and drone components were added in December 2025.

Who it is for

Drone makers, importers, and companies building with foreign components.

First step

Read the current list and any exemptions on the FCC page.

Read our guide to the FCC Covered List

Last verified September 27, 2026

The Department of War's lists of approved drones (Cleared List) and approved drone components (Framework). The FCC treats drones and components on these lists as exempt from the Covered List. DCMA took over the lists from the Defense Innovation Unit in December 2025.

Who it is for

Drone and component makers selling to the government, and buyers checking a product.

First step

Check the current lists and the submission steps at bluelist.dcma.mil.

Last verified September 28, 2026

July 2, 2026 rulings on Section 333 of the Communications Act: when companies can test signal jammers against drones, and when law enforcement under the SAFER SKIES Act and federal contractors are protected when operating counter-drone systems.

Who it is for

Counter-drone companies, drone makers testing jamming resistance, and public safety agencies.

First step

Read the two rulings (DA 26-654 and DA 26-655).

Last verified September 28, 2026

The way a new foreign-made drone or drone critical component can be exempted from the FCC Covered List. The Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security reviews each request and decides case by case; the FCC publishes the approvals on its Covered List page. At SBA's September 24, 2026 summit, FCC Chairman Carr said decisions have taken about 30 days.

Who it is for

Companies that make drones or drone critical components and need a new model authorized.

First step

Read the FCC's guidance on what to submit for a Conditional Approval.

Read our guide to the FCC Covered List

Last verified September 28, 2026

Free local help with government contracting: registrations, finding opportunities, and preparing bids.

Who it is for

Businesses new to government contracting or growing in it.

First step

Find the nearest APEX Accelerator on the official site.

Last verified September 27, 2026

Local SBA offices answer questions about SBA loan programs, contracting certifications, and SBA events.

Who it is for

U.S. small businesses.

First step

Find your local office on the SBA locations page.

Last verified September 27, 2026