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Chris Koerner on The Koerner Office Podcast
How Anyone Can Make $10K+/Month From the Government
⏱ 48 min video · 4 min read14 May 2026Worth watching
TL;DR
Natalie, a government contracting expert, explains how anyone can earn $10K+/month by bidding on federal contracts on SAM.gov, subcontracting the actual work out, and pocketing the margin — with no experience, no startup capital, and as little as one hour per month to maintain. The video covers real deal examples, pricing strategy, AI tools, and how to find and vet subcontractors.
Key points
1
Register a generic-named LLC, then register free on SAM.gov to become eligible to bid on government contracts worth billions annually — the government is legally required to spend money with small businesses
2
You never do the actual work: find a subcontractor to do the job, get their quote, mark it up, submit your bid, and keep the margin if you win — the government pays you first (net 30-45), then you pay your sub
3
Contracts under $350K require zero past performance — just a price quote — making them ideal entry points; Natalie won her first contract on her first bid (formalin disposal in California, $800 profit per pickup, 5-year deal worth ~$10K/year net)
4
Use Claude or ChatGPT to rapidly parse complex solicitation documents: create a project, upload all attachments, and use a custom prompt to determine if you should bid, what the requirements are, and how to write the proposal
5
Check USASpending.gov for historical government pricing on similar contracts before you bid — Natalie left nearly $200K on the table on her $962K Colorado landscaping contract because the prior award was $1.6M for the same work
6
Natalie earns $10K-$12K net profit per month (~$24K in her best month) working about one hour per month maintaining contracts, with most being 3-5 year recurring deals
Actionable insights
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Start by forming an LLC with a generic name (e.g. avoid 'Natalie's Painting'), then register free at SAM.gov — this alone qualifies you to bid on federal, state, city, school, and university contracts
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Before submitting any bid, always get a quote from a subcontractor first so you know your cost floor — never bid without a sub lined up, or you risk winning a contract you cannot fulfill
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Use USASpending.gov to look up what the government previously paid for the same or similar contracts, then price accordingly — past awards are fully public and can reveal massive headroom above your subcontractor's quote
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Filter contracts by services (not products) when starting out — service contracts have simpler logistics, friendlier payment terms for subcontractors, and fewer compliance variables than manufactured goods
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Vet subcontractors like employees: check Google reviews, look at their website, evaluate email professionalism, and prioritize hunger and responsiveness over size — a slow or disengaged sub can sink your contract
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Niche down into 1-2 industries (e.g. hazardous waste, landscaping) once you have a few wins, as past performance unlocks larger contracts over $350K and gives you a competitive edge over industry operators who overbid
Notable quotes
“The government is required to spend money with us. So it's not like we're out here begging for opportunities. They need us.”
“An hour a month for all of your contracts combined.”
“You don't need any money. You just need a business. And as soon as you have a business, you're automatically qualified to do business with the government.”
Worth watching?
✅
Worth watching the full video?
Watch if you want the real deal examples and Natalie's specific workflow — the core strategy and numbers are all captured here, but hearing her walk through the Colorado and catering contracts in her own words adds useful texture.
Saved you some time? The creator still deserves a like.
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