Is there a required format for a sources sought response?

The FAR says there is no required format for RFIs. Follow the instructions in the notice itself.

How long should my response be?

Usually short. The FAR tells agencies not to request more than the minimum information necessary when they do market research, so answer what the notice asks and stop.

Where do I find sources sought notices?

On SAM.gov Contract Opportunities, where federal contracting offices post their notices. Sources Sought is one of the notice types listed there.

Guide

What is a sources sought notice, and should a veteran-owned trade contractor answer one?

Updated October 21, 2026

Sources Sought is a notice type federal agencies post on SAM.gov, separate from solicitations and award notices. [GSA, SAM.gov Get Opportunities Public API (set-aside codes)] It works like a request for information: the agency wants market or capability information for planning, and the FAR says responses to these notices are not offers. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals] Answer the ones in your trade, because a contracting officer may set work aside for SDVOSBs only when market research shows a reasonable expectation that two or more eligible SDVOSBs will submit offers at a fair market price. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures]

What a sources sought notice is

SAM.gov lists Sources Sought as its own notice type, next to presolicitation notices, solicitations, combined synopsis/solicitations, special notices, and award notices. [GSA, SAM.gov Get Opportunities Public API (set-aside codes)] The FAR encourages exchanges of information with industry from the earliest identification of a requirement through receipt of proposals, and names market research, presolicitation notices, draft RFPs, and RFIs among the ways to do it. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals] An RFI may be used when the government does not presently intend to award a contract but wants price, delivery, other market information, or capabilities for planning purposes. There is no required format for RFIs. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals]

Why your answer can shape the set-aside

Agencies must do market research before soliciting offers above the simplified acquisition threshold, and use the results to decide whether the buy should use any of the small business programs in FAR part 19. [FAR 10.001, Market research policy] That research should include whether small businesses are likely to submit a competitive offer at fair market prices. [FAR 10.002, Market research procedures] A contracting officer may restrict competition to SDVOSBs when market research gives a reasonable expectation that two or more eligible SDVOSBs will submit offers and award will be made at a fair market price, and must consider an SDVOSB set-aside before an SDVOSB sole-source award or a general small business set-aside. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures] Above the simplified acquisition threshold, a small business set-aside likewise depends on a reasonable expectation of offers from at least two responsible small businesses at fair market prices. [FAR 19.502-2, Total small business set-asides] If qualified veteran firms stay quiet, the market research has less to show.

Where to find them

Federal contracting offices post their notices on SAM.gov Contract Opportunities, and anyone can search them without an account. An account lets you save searches and follow opportunities. [SAM.gov, Contract Opportunities] Look for notices marked Sources Sought under the NAICS codes for your trade. [GSA, SAM.gov Get Opportunities Public API (set-aside codes)] See our guide to finding veteran set-aside bids on SAM.gov for search tips.

What to send back

Answer exactly what the notice asks, by the date and in the way it asks. The FAR tells agencies not to request more than the minimum information necessary during market research, so a short, direct answer usually fits. [FAR 10.001, Market research policy] Make your SBA certification and your size under the notice’s NAICS code easy to see, since an SDVOSB set-aside depends on eligible SDVOSBs being able to bid. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures] Show the similar work your own crews have done, and say plainly that you intend to bid if the work is set aside.

Keep your records ready for market research

The FAR lists reviewing the System for Award Management, the Federal Procurement Data System, and SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search among the ways contracting officers do market research. [FAR 10.002, Market research procedures] Keep your SAM.gov registration active by renewing every 365 days. [SAM.gov, Entity registration] Fill out your Small Business Search profile, which certified veteran firms can be verified through. [SBA VetCert portal]

What a response does not do

Responses to RFIs are not offers and cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals] When a solicitation does come out, you still submit a bid, quote, or proposal under its own instructions, and on an SDVOSB set-aside the contracting officer checks that you are shown in SAM as certified by SBA before evaluating your offer. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures]

Common questions

Is answering a sources sought notice the same as bidding?: No. The FAR says responses to RFIs are not offers and cannot be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals]
Is there a required format for a sources sought response?: The FAR says there is no required format for RFIs. Follow the instructions in the notice itself. [FAR 15.201, Exchanges with industry before receipt of proposals]
How can my response help a job get set aside for SDVOSBs?: A contracting officer may restrict competition to SDVOSBs when market research gives a reasonable expectation that two or more eligible SDVOSBs will submit offers at a fair market price. Your response is part of that research. [FAR 19.1405, Set-aside procedures] [FAR 10.001, Market research policy]
How long should my response be?: Usually short. The FAR tells agencies not to request more than the minimum information necessary when they do market research, so answer what the notice asks and stop. [FAR 10.001, Market research policy]
Where do I find sources sought notices?: On SAM.gov Contract Opportunities, where federal contracting offices post their notices. Sources Sought is one of the notice types listed there. [SAM.gov, Contract Opportunities] [GSA, SAM.gov Get Opportunities Public API (set-aside codes)]

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Sources

Checked against these sources on October 21, 2026. Rules change, so always read the current solicitation and regulation. This guide is general information, not legal advice.