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.
Commercial Lodging for the 433rd Airlift Wing
Garage Maintenance for Veterans Health Care System
Televisions for a VA Medical Center
HVAC Maintenance and Repair Services at Naval Submarine Base New London
Mental Health Project Furniture
Cellular Booster Installation for a Navy Base in Brooklyn
Cradle Assembly
Air Handler Unit Bearing Replacement
West Point Field Force Forum Services
Thin Aero Paint Stripper
Cytek Aurora EVO 5 Laser
Leica Microsystems Stellaris Microscope System
Fire Services Contract
Breathing Air System Repair and Servicing
Abrams Tank Clutch Assembly
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.