What each SAM.gov notice type is asking for
The notice type is shown near the top of every opportunity on SAM.gov.
| Notice type | What the government is doing | What it wants from you | Typical deliverable | Typical effort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market research — nothing is being bought yet | ||||
| Sources Sought | Market research (FAR Part 10): finding out who can do the work before deciding how to buy it. | A capability response. | A 1–5 page capability statement plus answers to any questions in the notice. | A few hours. |
| Request for Information (RFI) | Market research, often technical: testing ideas, requirements or a draft approach. | Answers to their numbered questions. | Written answers; sometimes a white paper with a page limit. | A few hours to 2 days. |
| Special Notice | An announcement: industry day, one-on-one sessions, a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) or Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), a draft RFP, and similar. | Whatever the notice asks: register, send questions, or sometimes submit a white paper. | Registration, questions, or a short white paper. | Varies. |
| Presolicitation | A heads-up that a solicitation is coming (FAR Part 5). | Nothing to submit yet. | None. Set an alert for the solicitation, make sure your SAM.gov registration and representations and certifications are current, and start supplier and pricing work. | Prep time only. |
| Buying now — a response can win the work | ||||
| Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, or Solicitation as an RFQ | A simplified acquisition (FAR Parts 12 and 13) for a smaller or commercial buy. Under the FAR overhaul deviations most agencies now follow, the old FAR Subpart 13.5 commercial procedures moved into FAR Part 12. | A priced quote. | A quote, often on an SF 1449 or sometimes an SF 18, plus a technical description, delivery terms, and references if asked. | 1–3 days. |
| Solicitation as an IFB (sealed bidding) | Sealed bidding under FAR Part 14. Award goes to the lowest-priced responsive, responsible bid. | A bid on the exact form in the IFB (usually SF 33 or SF 1447). Construction IFBs often require a bid guarantee (bid bond) under FAR Part 28. | The completed bid form with prices. Bids are opened in public and there is no negotiation. | 2–5 days. |
| Solicitation as an RFP | A negotiated acquisition under FAR Part 15. | A proposal that follows the instructions (usually Section L) and is written to the evaluation factors (usually Section M). | Separate technical, price and past performance volumes, within the page limits. | 1–4 weeks. |
| Task or delivery order requests (FAR Subpart 16.5, GSA eBuy, GWACs) | Placing an order under a contract that already exists. | A response only from companies that already hold the contract. | If you are not a holder, team with a holder or skip it. | Varies. |
| Information only — usually nothing to submit | ||||
| Award Notice | Announcing who won and, usually, the award amount. | Nothing. | None. Note the awardee and price for future bids, and consider offering to supply the winner. | Minutes. |
| Justification (J&A) | Publishing why a contract was awarded without full competition (FAR Part 6). These are usually posted after the award. | Usually nothing. If a notice of intent to sole-source gives a response date and you can genuinely supply, respond by that date with evidence. | Evidence of your capability, only if you can genuinely supply. | A few hours, if it applies. |
| Intent to Bundle Requirements, Sale of Surplus Property, Limited Sources | Notices required for specific situations. | Nothing, in most cases. | None. These are rarely relevant to a parts or services bidder. | Minutes. |
Efforts are rough estimates for a small business.
Glossary
- Capability statement
- A short summary (usually 1–2 pages) of what your company does, your past performance, your differentiators, and company data such as your UEI, CAGE code and NAICS codes. This is what most Sources Sought notices ask for. See the capabilities statement outline.
- White paper / concept paper
- A short paper that explains your approach to a problem. RFIs, BAAs and CSOs often ask for one, with a page limit.
- Quote (RFQ)
- Your price and terms in response to a Request for Quotations. The government compares quotes and places an order with the one it selects.
- Sealed bid (IFB)
- A bid in response to an Invitation for Bids under FAR Part 14. Bids are opened in public, and award goes to the lowest-priced responsive, responsible bidder without negotiation.
- Proposal (RFP)
- An offer in response to a Request for Proposals under FAR Part 15. It is evaluated against the stated factors, and the government may negotiate before award.
- Sources Sought / RFI
- Market research notices. Responses help the contracting officer decide whether to set the work aside for small businesses. If too few capable small businesses respond, a set-aside is less likely.
- Amendment (SF 30)
- A change to a solicitation, usually issued on Standard Form 30. You must acknowledge every amendment the way the solicitation says, or your response may be rejected.
- CLIN
- Contract Line Item Number: each separately priced item or service in the schedule. Price every CLIN the solicitation asks for.
- LPTA vs. best value
- Lowest Price Technically Acceptable means the lowest-priced acceptable offer wins. Best value (tradeoff) means the government may pay more for a better technical approach or past performance. The solicitation says which one applies.
- Debrief
- An explanation of how your offer was evaluated. For FAR Part 15 awards, ask in writing within 3 days of being notified (FAR 15.506, or 15.301 under the FAR overhaul deviations). For simplified acquisitions, you can ask for a brief explanation. Always ask.
One-page response checklist
These items apply to almost every response.
SAM.gov response checklist
Notice / solicitation number: ______________________ Agency: ______________________
- Your SAM.gov registration is Active on the response date.
- Your representations and certifications in SAM.gov are current.
- Response deadline: ____________ (date, time and time zone).
- Submission channel, file formats, file size limits and page limits are exactly as stated in the notice.
- Every amendment is acknowledged.
- Every numbered question is answered, in the same order and with the same numbering.
- For quotes: state how long your quote is valid (for example, "Prices valid for 90 days").
- Confirm the government received your response, and keep the confirmation.
- If you lose, ask for a debrief or an explanation.
Source: fedopp.com/resources/sam-next-steps/
Assistive research only, not legal advice.
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