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.
263 active notices. Updated daily from SAM.gov.
B44 Breakroom Remodel
Backflow Preventer Upgrades
Gasoline Powered Marine Generator
Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway Maintenance
Mechanical Multiple Award Task Order Contract
Hazardous Waste Pickup for USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Spirometers
Controlled Substance Destruction
Incubation and Speciation of Viable Samples
Benchtop EPR Spectrometer
Fire Truck Repairs
Compact 1156 nm Fiber Laser
Nonmetallic Strip Seals
Roofing Repair for Naval Facilities
Letter Folding and Inserting Machine
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.