# What is a sources sought notice?

URL: https://us.falkview.com/glossary/sources-sought/
Updated: 2026-11-04

> **What is a sources sought notice?**
>
> A sources sought notice is market research an agency posts on SAM.gov before a solicitation, asking which companies could do the work. It is not a request for bids. The answers help the contracting officer decide how to buy, including whether to set the contract aside for small business.

## Key facts

- Posted on SAM.gov as its own notice type, before any solicitation.
- Part of the market research agencies must do under FAR part 10.
- Enough capable small businesses responding can lead to a small business set-aside.

## Why it matters for facility-services bids

It is the cheapest way to shape a contract you want: a short, specific capability answer can help turn a full and open recompete into a small business set-aside.

## Sources

- [FAR 10.001, market research](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/10.001)
- [FAR 19.502-2, total small business set-asides](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/19.502-2)
- [SAM.gov Contract Opportunities](https://sam.gov/opportunities)

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