Last year at this time, the federal government contracting site, www.FedBizOpps.gov, averaged 71 Sources Sought Notices per week; today, that number has skyrocketed to more than 400 per week, and all signs indicate that this remarkable increase will continue for at least the next few months.
This is an indication of a serious shift in contracting processes, and those companies who understand this situation and leverage their exposure to federal agencies will see greater opportunities immediately.
One of the key reasons for this remarkable increase in Sources Sought Notices is a recent memo from the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), titled, “Myth-Busting: Addressing Misconceptions to Improve Communication with Industry During the Acquisition Process.”
Getting the Memo
The OMB memo was from Daniel Gordon, administrator of Federal Procurement Policy, and was addressed to chief acquisition officers, senior procurement executives and chief information officers throughout the federal government. The purpose of the memo was to kick off the educational campaign to reform federal procurement by identifying common misperceptions about vendor engagement, directing agencies to remove unnecessary barriers, and outline steps for continued engagement between agencies and vendors.
One of the direct results of this memo is a dramatic increase in Sources Sought Notices being posted to FedBizOpps.
Sources Sought Notice
A Sources Sought Notice (Sources Sought) is a method by which federal agencies perform mandated market research to advertise the fact that they are considering spending money on specific services or products, and want to identify the businesses that are qualified to perform such work or provide those products.
The government generally is interested in hearing from all vendors, including large and small businesses, regarding their capability to perform the stated requirements. However, a Sources Sought may also be used to specifically identify small businesses that are capable of performing the work.
No Pricing Required
The paperwork requirement in responding to a Sources Sought is greatly reduced and never includes pricing information, making responding much easier and taking less than an hour in most cases.
Rule of Two
Once a contracting officer advertises the Sources Sought and the resulting responses are read, a unique rule kicks in: The Rule of Two. This rule states that if two or more qualified small businesses respond to the Sources Sought, the resulting contract would be set aside for small business. This is a credible opportunity, but at least two small businesses must respond to that specific Sources Sought in order for the set-aside to be considered.
In at least the last 10 years, the contracting world has not experienced as high a number of Sources Sought opportunities posted during such a brief period of time. This market research process has opened doors to remarkable opportunities for any businessperson who is targeting the federal government, and one that requires a reasonable investment of time or energy to respond.
By responding, you may begin the process to winning contracts and join the ranks of the winning contractors noted below. You may also choose to contact those listed here about teaming and subcontracting opportunities.
- Applied Integrated Technologies, Greenbelt, won a $ 4,576,362 contract from the Department of Homeland Security to provide security guard services at the FEMA Olney Federal Support Center. www.ait-i.com/contactus.html
- Automated Business Power, Gaithersburg, won a $9,918 contract to provide non-rotating electrical converters to the Federal Acquisition Service. www.abp.com/contact.shtml
- BAE, Belcamp, won a $58,023,455 contract to provide 6,000 thermal weapon systems from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground. www.baesystems.com/AboutUs/suppliers/index.html
- BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services, Rockville, won a $15,713,984 contract from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to purchase 9-QF-4 full scale aerial targets. www.baesystems.com/AboutUs/suppliers/index.html
- The Bialek Corp. of Maryland, Rockville, won a $77,461 contract from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide and install furniture. www.bialek.com/contactUs
- Forrester Construction Co., Rockville, won a $4,836,825 contract from General Services Administration for the renovation of the Garmatz Courthouse located in Baltimore. www.forresterconstruction.com/becomeSubcontractor
- LB&B Associates, Columbia, won a $25,694,744 contract from the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to provide for the operation, maintenance and construction of facilities and structures at Fort Leonard Wood and the Lake of Ozarks Army Recreation Area. www.lbbassociates.com/contact.html
- Lockheed Martin, Baltimore, won a $32,718 contract to configure and implement IBM Tivoli OMNIbus Listener Hardware/Software from the Department of Health and Human Services. www.lockheedmartin.com/suppliers
- Northrop Grumman Corp., Electronic Systems, Linthicum Heights, won a $38,345,497 contract from the Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., to continue support of the Ground/Air Radar effort and provide program performance management services. https://oasis.northgrum.com
- Ramar Transportation & Logistics Group, Frederick, won a $12,878 contract to provide motor freight from the Department of HHS/Indian Health Service. www.ramarmoving.com/contact
- Soft Dynamics, Boyds, won a $700,800 contract to provide database and telecommunication services from the Department of Health and Human Services. www.softdynamicsinc.com/ContactUs.aspx
- VetCorp, Frederick, won a $102,600 contract to supply carbon dioxide from Department of Commerce, Acquisition Management Division. www.vetcorp.net/contact_us
