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Desk reference

RFIs, one-on-one meetings, and early-exchange roles

Terms for lawful pre- exchange: , one-on-ones, and who may bind the Government. Citations reflect the codified FAR FAC 2026-01 baseline; an adopting agency’s deviation may renumber or supersede individual sections — verify the solicitation and agency coverage you are under.

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Request for information (RFI) and one-on-one meetings

An under FAR 15.201(e) is used when the Government does not presently intend to award a contract and wants planning or market information. Responses are not offers, cannot be accepted to form a binding contract, and have no required FAR format. FAR 15.201(a)–(c) encourages early exchanges with industry and expressly lists meetings; a should participate when the discussion substantially involves potential contract terms and conditions. RFIs put decision-ready evidence in the file; one-on-ones build mutual understanding — with the in the lane when terms are on the table.

Watch for

Don't treat pricing in an RFI reply as a binding offer, or answering as a guaranteed seat in the later competition. One-on-ones are not reserved for incumbents, not limited to post-proposal timing, and not unlawful merely because every competitor is not in the room.

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Program office versus contracting officer in early exchange

FAR 15.201(c) contemplates among industry, the , the contracting officer, and other acquisition participants. Program stakeholders illuminate mission need and ; under FAR 1.602-1, contracting officers may bind the Government only to the extent of authority delegated in writing. A coordinated runs mission and outcomes with program and routes strategy and contractual matters through the CO. If the conversation turns into binding terms without a CO in the lane, stop and re-route.

Watch for

Don't confuse a program preference with a , skip end users because “mission does not matter before ,” or treat a program promise of award terms as contractual authority.

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