Compare / SAM.gov alerts
OppBeacon vs SAM.gov saved-search email alerts
Keep your free SAM.gov alerts. They tell you something new matched; OppBeacon tells you what it is, who can bid, when it is due and whether it fits you, in one morning email.
Pick your industry and state. No UEI, no password, no card.
SAM.gov title: CON | Z2DA | REPLACE CHILLER 1 B104 | 580-24-111 | SOLICITATION
OppBeacon: Replace chiller 1 B104
In our data on Nov 4, 2026: 12,552 open SAM.gov notices, 3,721 set aside for small or certified businesses, 4,179 due within 7 days.
Side by side
| OppBeacon | SAM.gov alerts | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan · Solo $29/mo ($278/yr) · 14-day trial, no card | Free |
| What the email contains | Each matching notice: plain title, agency, place, who can bid, due date, stated value when the notice gives one | A link to your saved search results; you click through to see what is new |
| Readable titles | Plain-English title on every notice (codes like "Z1DA--" and solicitation numbers removed) | Official titles as posted |
| Who can bid | "Who can bid" in plain words on every notice (e.g. "Service-disabled veteran-owned only") | Set-aside code on the notice page |
| Bid / no-bid | AI bid/no-bid on the solicitation files, each answer cited to file and page, plus a list of files it could not read | Not offered |
| Follow one notice | "Track this bid": type your email on any notice, get amendment, deadline and award alerts | "Follow" a notice when signed in to SAM.gov |
| Channels | Email, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, Telegram | |
| Official source | Copies public SAM.gov data daily; always links to the official notice | Is the official source |
SAM.gov alerts details are from its public pages, checked Nov 4, 2026. Prices change; check the source links below.
Where SAM.gov alerts is the better pick
- It is the official source for federal contract notices, and it is free.
- You need a SAM.gov account anyway to register your entity and to follow notices.
Choose SAM.gov alerts if: You track one or two NAICS codes, have time to click through every day, and do not want another tool.
Choose OppBeacon if: You want to see in seconds which new notices you can actually bid on, and get a cited bid/no-bid before reading 200 pages.
FAQ
Are SAM.gov email alerts free?
Yes. With a free SAM.gov user account you can save a Contract Opportunities search and turn on Notify. The email links to your saved search results rather than listing each notice.
How often does SAM.gov send saved-search emails?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District says results are sent once a day at 9 p.m. Eastern. SAM.gov itself does not publish a schedule on its main pages.
Does OppBeacon replace SAM.gov?
No. OppBeacon reads public SAM.gov data and links every notice back to the official SAM.gov page. You still submit through the method the notice specifies.
What does OppBeacon cost?
There is a free plan. Solo is $29/month or $278/year, Pro is $79/month, and Solo can be tried for 14 days without a card.
Sources
- USACE Rock Island District — Finding opportunities (saved searches, Notify, 9 p.m. EST email) (checked Nov 4, 2026)
- Montana APEX Accelerator — Email notifications for saved Contract Opportunities searches (emails link to results) (checked Nov 4, 2026)
- SAM.gov — Contract Opportunities (checked Nov 4, 2026)
Other comparisons
- OppBeacon vs HigherGov: a lighter, cheaper option for small federal contractors
- OppBeacon vs GovTribe: daily SAM.gov matches without a $1,900 seat
OppBeacon is independent and not affiliated with SAM.gov, the U.S. government or the companies named here. Product names are trademarks of their owners.