Sources Sought / RFI Response Builder | Guide GSC Proposal Toolkit

The most underused opportunity in federal contracting

Agencies post Sources Sought notices and RFIs as market research, before they decide how to buy. Under the small business "Rule of Two," a contracting officer generally sets an acquisition aside when there is a reasonable expectation that at least two responsible small businesses will submit offers at fair market prices. Your response is evidence that can make that happen.

A strong response is short, specific, and answers the agency's questions in the order they asked. It is not a brochure. Respond even if you might only be a subcontractor, because it puts your company on the contracting officer's radar.

References: FAR Part 10 (market research); FAR 19.502-2 (total small business set-asides); FAR 15.201 (exchanges with industry before proposals are received).

1. Notice and company information

Notice title

Notice / reference #

Agency / office

Contracting POC

Response due

Company legal name

UEI

CAGE code

Primary NAICS (and size)

Your POC name / title

POC email / phone

Website

Socioeconomic status

Small Business8(a)HUBZoneWOSBEDWOSBSDVOSBVOSBNonprofit / AbilityOne

2. Capability: answer the requirement

Summary of your capability relative to THIS requirement (3–5 sentences) Answers to the agency's specific questions (one per line, in their order)

3. Relevant past performance (up to 3)

Project 1

Project 2

Project 3

4. Recommendations to the government (optional)

Your formatted response

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