Editorial policy

How we research and write

Every guide on GovUnpacked is built from a combination of firsthand experience with government contracting processes and research from authoritative sources. Those sources include federal regulations (the FAR, DFARS, CFR titles), SBA program documentation, official government portals (SAM.gov, USAspending.gov, Grants.gov), and published data from government agencies.

When we walk you through a process like SAM.gov registration or an 8(a) certification application, the steps reflect what the process actually looks like -- not a rewritten summary of someone else's blog post. Where possible, we include annotated screenshots of government forms and portals to show you exactly what to expect.

Independence

GovUnpacked is not affiliated with any government agency, consulting firm, or GovCon service provider. No advertiser, sponsor, or affiliate partner has editorial influence over our content. We do not accept paid placements, sponsored posts, or "review-for-payment" arrangements.

Our affiliate relationships (disclosed on the affiliate disclosure page) do not affect which tools or services we recommend. If a free government tool does the job, we recommend the free tool.

Corrections and updates

Government contracting regulations, thresholds, and processes change regularly. When we become aware that information in a guide is outdated or incorrect, we update the guide and note the update date in the article metadata. Significant corrections are noted explicitly in the article text.

We take accuracy seriously -- our readers make business decisions based on this information.

What this site is not

GovUnpacked provides educational content about government contracting processes. It is not a substitute for legal advice, accounting advice, or professional consulting. Government contracting involves legal obligations, financial reporting requirements, and compliance standards that may require professional guidance specific to your business situation.

If a guide tells you "talk to an attorney about this" or "get a CPA to set up your accounting system," that is genuine advice, not a liability disclaimer. Some parts of government contracting genuinely require professional help, and we will tell you which parts those are.