Term
Sources sought
Market research before a contract exists; answering it can shape the eventual competition in your favor.
A notice asking who out there could do some future work. There is nothing to win yet. Responding with a short capability statement puts your name in front of the buyer early, and if enough small businesses respond, the agency may set the eventual contract aside for small business.
In a sentence
"This is a sources sought notice for market research purposes only; no solicitation exists at this time." Translation: the contract is not real yet, but the audience list is being written now.
Also called
- SS notice
- request for information
- RFI
Terms like this show up in every federal notice. We translate them in place, on every notice in your trade.