How to respond to RFIs and sources-sought notices

An RFI or sources-sought notice is market research, not a solicitation: what agencies use your answer for, what to put in it, and how it can decide whether the buy is set aside.

It's market research, not a bid

A request for information (RFI) or sources-sought notice asks industry what it can do before the agency decides how to buy. Under FAR 15.201(e), responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a contract, so answering commits you to nothing. Agencies use the answers in their market research (FAR part 10) to decide whether to compete the work, set it aside for small businesses or a program such as 8(a), or buy from one source.

That makes an RFI one of the cheapest ways to influence a buy. Under the rule of two, a contracting officer who expects offers from at least two capable small businesses at a fair price generally sets the work aside; your response is part of that evidence.

Read the notice first

The response deadline, and any deadline for questions.
The NAICS code and its size standard: whether you'd count as small for this work.
What it asks for: capability, size and socioeconomic status, past performance, a capability statement, pricing or schedule ideas.
The format and page limit, and where to send it.

What a useful answer contains

Keep it short and true. What you claim now should match what you propose later, including your price range if you give one.

Answers to each question, in the order asked, in the agency's own terms.
Your UEI, NAICS codes, size and any certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, SDVOSB).
Two or three similar jobs: the customer, scope, value, dates and your role. Specific beats general.
Anything in the draft requirement that would block competition or raise cost, with a better way to do it.
Interest in teaming or subcontracting if you can't do all of it.

Start the solicitation work early

If a solicitation is likely, use the time: sketch how you'd start up, staff and manage the work, the main risks and how you'd handle them, and build your price from your own costs before you look at the market. GSA's CALC+ ceiling rates and past award values on USAspending.gov show the range buyers pay; they are reference points, not targets.

On SpendQuery

Official sources

Questions people ask

Does answering an RFI commit me to bid?

No. Under FAR 15.201(e) RFI responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a contract. You decide later whether to bid on any solicitation.

Can my sources-sought answer get the work set aside for small businesses?

It can help. Contracting officers use responses to judge whether at least two capable small businesses would offer at a fair price (the rule of two); if so, the work is generally set aside. Make sure your size and NAICS codes in SAM.gov are accurate.

Can I ask the contracting officer questions?

Yes, through the contact and by the deadline the notice names. Answers that matter to everyone are often published to all.

Is an RFI worth answering if I'm not sure I'll bid?

Usually, if the work fits you: it costs a few hours, puts your company in front of the buyer and can shape the requirement and the set-aside decision.

More guides

Updated 2026-10-20. General information, not legal advice; the solicitation and the FAR govern each purchase.