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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 19: Small Business Programs › Subpart 19.2

FAR 19.202-4 Solicitation.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section tells contracting officers to take specific steps to encourage the widest possible participation by small and disadvantaged business concerns in solicitations. It matters to contractors because it directs agencies to give more time for offers and to provide specifications, plans, drawings, and contact information on request.

Applies to: Contracting officers issuing solicitations

What it requires

  • Allow the maximum amount of time practicable for submitting offers
  • Furnish specifications, plans, and drawings with solicitations, or say where they can be obtained or examined
  • Upon request, give a small business concern a copy of solicitations for any contract to be let
  • Upon request, give a small business concern the name and telephone number of an agency contact for questions about the prospective contract

Key terms: solicitation · small business concern · veteran-owned small business · service-disabled veteran-owned small business · HUBZone small business

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

The contracting officer shall encourage maximum response to solicitations by small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business concerns by taking the following actions:

(a) Allow the maximum amount of time practicable for the submission of offers.

(b) Furnish specifications, plans, and drawings with solicitations, or furnish information as to where they may be obtained or examined.

(c) Provide to any small business concern, upon its request, a copy of solicitations with respect to any contract to be let, the name and telephone number of an agency contact to answer questions related to such prospective contract and adequate citations to each major Federal law or agency rule with which such business concern must comply in performing such contract other than laws or agency rules with which the small business must comply when doing business with other than the Government.

Sections that refer to it

← 19.202-3 Equal low bids. · 19.202-5 Data collection and reporting requirements. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 19

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 19.202-4 Solicitation · SpendQuery