09/18/2026
By the time a federal RFP is released, one of the most important decisions affecting your chances of winning may already have been made.
Will the opportunity be reserved for small businesses, limited to a socioeconomic category, or opened to large and small contractors alike?
Contracting officers do not make that decision in a vacuum. They use market research, Small Business Search results, sources sought responses, RFIs, acquisition forecasts, past procurement history, pricing information, and conversations with industry to determine whether capable small businesses are available.
When qualified companies remain silent during that process, the government may have little evidence to support a set-aside.
Our latest article explains how small businesses can become part of the acquisition record before the solicitation is finalized, including:
• Where to find opportunities during the market-research stage
• What contracting officers need to support a set-aside
• How to respond to a government sources sought notice
• Which capability, pricing, capacity, past-performance, and teaming details matter
• A practical response template contractors can adapt
The RFP may start the formal competition, but it does not always start the conversation.
Read the full article:
https://fedbizaccess.com/influence-small-business-set-aside-before-rfp/
Learn how to find small-business set-aside contracts early and respond to government sources sought notices with evidence that supports a set-aside.