Grant and Government Contract Eligibility for Businesses and Nonprofits in Plumas County
If you’re a Plumas County business owner, it’s easy to assume government grants and contracts are “for bigger companies” or people with a full-time admin staff. In reality, many opportunities are designed specifically for small businesses—and rural communities often have a real advantage because agencies need local vendors who can respond quickly, adapt, and innovate. The biggest barrier is usually not having your paperwork and registrations in place. That’s where Indian Valley Innovation Hub’s partner, the Sierra Small Business Development Center (Sierra SBDC), can help: they can walk you through what opportunities fit your business, what requirements apply, and how to get registered—at no cost.
Examples of local-fit opportunities (you might be surprised):
A restaurant or caterer providing meals for fire crews, training events, or agency meetings
A trucking or equipment operator supporting debris removal, hauling, deliveries, or equipment transport
A contractor or handyman doing repairs, accessibility upgrades, small construction, or maintenance
A lodging provider supporting traveling staff, inspectors, project crews, or emergency response teams
A janitorial, landscaping, or snow removal business providing routine services for public facilities
Common requirements (grants and/or contracts)
Small businesses often need some or all of the following to qualify:
Business name and legal organization (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, nonprofit, etc.)
Business address and contact info (including owner contact info)
Fictitious Business Name filing (DBA), if applicable
EIN (Employer Identification Number) whenever possible (avoid using a Social Security number if you can)
Recent IRS tax returns
Proof of insurance (and sometimes bonding, depending on the contract)
A basic business plan and/or financial projections (often required for grants and lending; sometimes helpful for contracts)
A key federal registration: SAM.gov + your UEI
One requirement that surprises people is SAM.gov registration (System for Award Management). If you plan to pursue many federal grants or federal contracts, your business or nonprofit typically needs a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)issued through SAM.gov (this replaced the old DUNS number in 2022).
Getting a SAM.gov registration is free, but scammers often try to charge for it.
Important SAM.gov warning:
Start at sam.gov (no fees)
If a site is charging you, or the URL looks “off,” leave immediately—it’s likely a scam
Nonprofits: California registration matters too
In addition to common business requirements (and often SAM.gov/UEI for federal opportunities), California nonprofits typically must be registered with:
California Secretary of State, and
California Attorney General (Charities Registry)
Don’t self-select out—get guidance first
Government contracting can be a strong revenue opportunity for small businesses because the government buys real-world goods and services—and is required to consider small businesses in many purchasing programs.
Want help figuring out what’s realistic for your business?
The SBA works with resource partners like the SBDC to help small businesses prepare for contracting and funding opportunities. Contact the Sierra SBDC (sierrasbdc.com) to register as a client for no-cost, confidential advising. They can help you understand what opportunities fit your business, navigate SAM.gov/UEI, and build a practical plan to pursue contracts or grants right here in Plumas County.