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Desk reference

Sources-sought notices, RFIs, and true solicitations

Terms for distinguishing a discoverable lead from a live competition — , forecasts, and are not interchangeable.

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Notice type classification

Notice type classification is the intake step of naming what a or agency posting actually is before staffing a response. A sources-sought or similar notice asks for capability, capacity, and planning input — it can shape acquisition strategy but does not request an offer the Government can accept to form a contract. A solicitation is the instrument that invites offers or quotations for award. Label the lead by notice type at intake, then decide response depth: market-research answers earn early positioning; solicitation responses earn evaluation. If the notice has no proposal instructions and asks only for capability or data, treat it as research input — valuable, nonbinding, and still worth doing well.

Watch for

Don't treat a sources sought as automatic award if you answer first, as a guarantee of later competition structure, or as a cue to submit binding price and a full technical volume when the notice only asks for capability or ROM data.

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Sources-sought response

A sources-sought response is an evidence-backed reply to a market-research notice under FAR Part 10. Agencies may contact knowledgeable industry sources and use that input to judge capabilities, customary practices, competition, and acquisition approach. A concise answer that maps each posted question to , , and transition insight creates a usable market-research record — how you show capable sources and viable buying paths without pretending the notice is already an . Prefer specific evidence over corporate brochure language; keep ROM or pricing only if the notice asked for it and label assumptions.

Watch for

Don't confuse a sources-sought reply with a binding proposal. It is not a place to dump unrequested firm pricing, and it is not a substitute for later /M compliance when a real solicitation arrives.

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