Sources Sought Notices
The earliest signal in federal contracting. A Sources Sought notice means an agency is researching the market before writing its solicitation — and the small businesses that respond shape whether the contract gets set aside at all.
262 active notices. Updated daily from SAM.gov.
F16 Helmets
Airshow 2027 Vehicle Rentals
Air Show Fencing
CQM/QA Support for Navy Medical Research Command
Human Resources Management Training
Helpful Airborne Wireless Communication Ecosystem Yielding Enhanced Sharing (HAWCEYES)
Dormitory Furniture
Portable Dehumidifier Assembly
Small Arms Training
Administrative Assistant
Water Main Repair
Janitorial Services in Dumas, TX
Dishwashing Machine Lease and Maintenance
Golf Cart Rentals for Airshow
Employment Support for Florida National Guard
Sources Sought — common questions
What is a Sources Sought notice?expand_more
It's market research, not a solicitation. Before an agency writes an RFP, it posts a Sources Sought notice asking 'who can do this work?' Businesses respond with a short capabilities statement — there is no bid, no pricing, and no award at this stage.
Why respond if there's nothing to win yet?expand_more
Because responses drive the set-aside decision. If enough capable small businesses respond, the Rule of Two pushes the contracting officer to reserve the eventual contract for small business — possibly for your certification specifically. Responding also puts your firm on the agency's radar before the RFP is written.
How long do I have to respond?expand_more
Response windows are typically two to four weeks from posting, and they're firm. Each notice lists its own response deadline and submission instructions — read the notice itself, since formats vary by agency.
What should a response include?expand_more
A concise capabilities statement: your company profile (UEI, CAGE, size status, certifications, NAICS codes), a point-by-point answer to what the notice asks, and two or three directly relevant past performances. It's market research, not a proposal — a few strong pages beat a long one.
Set-Aside Pro is an independent publication, not affiliated with the SBA or SAM.gov. Each notice's own text controls what a response must include — read it before submitting.