SamSearch vs Bonfire
Modern SLED Platform vs Complex Legacy System
5,000+ SLED websites, 70% less cost, modern interface vs complex legacy system with steep learning curve.
What is Bonfire?
Bonfire is a legacy SLED (State, Local, Education, District) procurement platform that has been around for over a decade. While it covers state and local government opportunities, it has a notoriously complex interface, expensive pricing starting at $500/month, and requires extensive training to use effectively. The platform's onboarding process takes 2-3 weeks and assumes users are already experts in SLED procurement.
Founded
2010s
Pricing
$500-$2,000/month
What is SamSearch?
SamSearch provides comprehensive SLED coverage across 5,000+ state, local, and education websites, plus federal opportunities, with an intuitive AI-powered interface. Our platform is designed for immediate productivity with instant setup, AI summaries, and real-time alerts at 70% less cost than Bonfire.
Founded
2023
Pricing
Flexible, affordable plans
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly how SamSearch compares to Bonfire across key features and capabilities.
| Feature | SamSearch | Bonfire |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Powered Proposal Generation | RFP/Grant responses, outline builder, inline editing | No proposal generation |
| Pipeline Management | Journey Hub with Kanban boards, contact management | No pipeline management |
| Procurement Forecasts | 6-18 month advance intelligence with agency contacts | No forecasting capabilities |
| Document Intelligence | AI analysis of complex government documents | Manual document review |
| Free Business Tools | Capability builder, NAICS lookup, contract statistics | No free tools |
| SLED Coverage | 5,000+ SLED websites + federal + grants + SBIR | Limited SLED coverage |
| Data Sources | Federal, SLED, grants, SBIR, subcontracts + partnerships | Limited SLED data only |
| Partnerships | Strategic partnerships with key data providers | No strategic partnerships |
| Setup Time | Instant setup, ready in minutes | 2-3 weeks onboarding process |
| AI Features | AI summaries, natural language search, smart matching | No AI capabilities |
| Pricing | Flexible, affordable plans | $500-$2,000/month |
| User Interface | Modern, intuitive design | Complex, outdated interface |
| Cross-Device Access | Responsive web platform accessible on any device | Poor mobile experience |
| Business Intelligence | Market trends, competitive analysis, ROI analytics | No business intelligence |
Why Bonfire is Failing Contractors
Common pain points that cost contractors time, money, and opportunities.
Complex Onboarding Process
Bonfire's setup takes 2-3 weeks with multiple training sessions, complex configurations, and confusing documentation. The platform assumes you're already an expert in SLED procurement.
📊 Impact on Your Business:
Loses 2-3 weeks of potential opportunities during setup
Expensive Pricing
Starting at $500/month, Bonfire is prohibitively expensive for small to medium businesses. Most contractors can't justify the cost for basic search functionality.
📊 Impact on Your Business:
Forces contractors to use free but limited alternatives, missing $1M+ in opportunities
Outdated Interface
Bonfire's interface feels like it's from 2010 with clunky navigation, poor mobile experience, and no modern features like AI or smart search.
📊 Impact on Your Business:
Wastes 2-3 hours daily on inefficient searches and navigation
Limited Coverage
Bonfire only covers a fraction of SLED opportunities, missing thousands of state, local, and education websites where contracts are posted.
📊 Impact on Your Business:
Misses 60% of SLED opportunities worth $3M+ annually
How SamSearch Solves These Problems
Modern AI-powered features that address every pain point of legacy systems.
5,000+ SLED Websites
Comprehensive coverage across all state, local, and education procurement websites, plus federal opportunities.
70% Cost Savings
Replace $500-$2,000 monthly Bonfire costs with an all-in-one platform at a fraction of the price.
Instant Setup
Ready to use in minutes, not weeks. No complex training or configuration required.
Modern Interface
AI-powered search, mobile-first design, and intuitive navigation that anyone can use.
Ready to make the switch?
Join hundreds of businesses who've already upgraded from Bonfire to SamSearch's modern AI platform.
Flexible, affordable plans • Unlimited searches • Instant setup