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.
294 active notices. Updated daily from SAM.gov.
Cell Counter
UPS Expansion Upgrades for a Military Base
Megger Primary Injection Test Kit
C-UAS Radar Lease
Bird Waste Cleaning at Joint Base MDL
Fixed Canopy
Body Armor for NOAA
West Point Renovations
Scissor Lift Repair
Steel Chairs
High-Reflectivity Mirrors
Remodel Civil Engineering Shops at Kirtland AFB
Hydraulic Accumulator
Diesel Storage Tank for Indian Health Service
Joint Base Electrical Maintenance
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.