Source & Authority Information
- •Federal Acquisition Regulation(accessed 2026-01-15)
- •SBA Federal Contracting(accessed 2026-01-15)
- •SAM.gov(accessed 2026-01-15)
Understanding Federal Market Research
Types of Pre-Solicitation Notices
- Requests for Information (RFI): Formal agency requests seeking detailed information about capabilities, technical solutions, pricing approaches, or other specific factors relevant to acquisition planning. RFIs typically request written responses addressing specific questions the agency needs answered before proceeding with acquisition strategy development.
- Sources Sought Notices: Agency requests seeking to identify potential sources capable of meeting specified requirements. Sources sought responses typically demonstrate general capability and interest without requiring detailed technical proposals or specific pricing information at this early stage.
- Draft Solicitation Releases: Preliminary solicitation documents released for industry review and comment before final solicitation publication. Industry comments may significantly influence final requirements, contract terms, and evaluation criteria incorporated into the formal solicitation.
- Industry Days and Conferences: Structured events where agencies present upcoming requirements and gather industry input through formal presentations, panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and scheduled one-on-one meetings with interested contractors.
- Pre-Solicitation Notices: Formal announcements of anticipated solicitations providing advance notice to industry before formal solicitation publication occurs, enabling contractors to prepare for upcoming competitions.
- Special Notices: Various announcement types providing information about procurement activities, market research intentions, acquisition forecasts, or other acquisition-related communications relevant to contractor awareness and planning.
Systematic Monitoring for Pre-Solicitation Opportunities
- 1Configure comprehensive SAM.gov search alerts
Set up saved searches with email notifications for opportunities matching your NAICS codes, relevant keywords, and target agencies. Include all notice types including RFIs, sources sought, special notices, and pre-solicitation announcements in addition to formal solicitations. Review alerts daily since many notices have short response deadlines.
- 2Monitor agency-specific procurement systems
Some agencies maintain separate procurement forecast databases or specialized acquisition systems beyond standard SAM.gov postings. Identify systems used by your priority target agencies and establish regular monitoring routines. Defense agencies particularly may use specialized systems for certain procurement categories and classifications.
- 3Track agency procurement forecasts systematically
Many agencies publish annual procurement forecasts listing anticipated acquisitions for the coming fiscal year. Review forecasts for your target agencies to identify significant opportunities months before formal notices appear. Forecasts provide valuable early warning enabling proactive positioning for major requirements.
- 4Engage actively with industry associations
Relevant industry associations often share market research opportunities with members and facilitate collective industry engagement with agencies. Association involvement provides access to information, networking opportunities, and collective voice beyond individual company research capabilities.
- 5Maintain ongoing agency relationships
Sustained relationships with program offices and contracting staff provide informal visibility into upcoming requirements before any public announcements. Regular capability briefings and consistent customer engagement surface opportunities when agencies begin planning new procurements or requirement changes.
Responding Effectively to Sources Sought Notices
Responding to Requests for Information
Industry Days and Direct Agency Engagement
Leveraging Market Research Intelligence Strategically
- Identify likely evaluation criteria early and begin developing compelling evidence addressing those criteria well before solicitation release enables response.
- Understand agency concerns or priorities that may not be explicit in formal requirements but will heavily influence evaluation judgments and selection decisions.
- Assess competitive landscape thoroughly based on other companies actively engaging in market research activities for the same opportunities.
- Identify potential teaming partners who bring genuinely complementary capabilities strengthening your offering for the specific requirement.
- Shape solution approaches and technical strategies based on agency feedback about preferences, constraints, and mission priorities.
- Develop preliminary pricing strategies informed by understanding of agency budget constraints, funding availability, and value priorities.
