Contracting glossary

A request for sealed bids. The agency evaluates responsive bids from responsible bidders using price and the price-related factors stated in the invitation. In rfpseek, look for these requests under Bids and read the official notice for submission instructions.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 14.101: sealed bidding

A request for offers describing how a contractor will meet an agency requirement. Evaluation follows the criteria in the solicitation, which may include price and technical factors. These requests appear under Bids in rfpseek.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 15.203: requests for proposals

A request used to learn about the market or available capabilities before a purchase. A response is not an offer and cannot itself form a contract. Read the notice in rfpseek to see what information the agency wants; an RFI may appear as Sources Sought or a Special Notice.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR subpart 15.2: information exchanges and RFIs

A request for pricing and other information about a purchase. Under FAR simplified acquisition procedures, a quotation is not an offer; the government order is the offer. rfpseek groups solicitations asking for quotes under Bids. Check the official request for the procedure and response instructions.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 13.004: legal effect of quotations

An agency request for bids, proposals, or quotations. rfpseek groups related notices by solicitation number so you can follow changes to the same purchase.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 2.101: solicitation definition

A published announcement about a purchase or contract action. Its notice ID identifies that announcement, while the solicitation number connects related announcements. rfpseek keeps notice history even when a notice leaves the active SAM extract.

Official definitions and guidance: SAM.gov notice types; GSA notice field definitions

rfpseek's category for Solicitation and Combined Synopsis/Solicitation notices. It includes requests for bids, quotes, and proposals. Being in this category does not establish that bidding is still open; check the deadline and official notice.

Related official guidance: SAM.gov notice types

An announcement that combines a summary of the purchase with the solicitation. rfpseek includes it under Bids. Read the announcement and attachments for the full requirements.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 12.603: combined synopsis/solicitation

rfpseek's category for Sources Sought and Presolicitation notices. These describe market research or a planned purchase. Responding to market research is not submitting a bid.

Related official guidance: SAM.gov notice types

An agency request to identify firms capable of doing planned work. In rfpseek it is an Early lead; check the notice for the capabilities statement or other information requested.

Official definitions and guidance: SAM.gov notice types

Advance notice of an agency's planned solicitation. rfpseek treats it as an Early lead. The later solicitation supplies the offer instructions.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 5.204: presolicitation notices

An announcement that the agency has awarded a contract. rfpseek puts these under Awards and may show the award amount and winner reported by SAM.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 5.301: award announcements

rfpseek groups Special Notices, justifications, bundling notices, surplus sales, changes, and unrecognized notice types under Other notices. A Special Notice can communicate a range of agency actions. Read the text to learn whether a response is requested.

Related official guidance: SAM.gov notice types

An agency explanation and approval for using a contracting approach such as an exception to full and open competition. rfpseek lists Justification and J&A notices under Other notices; they are not automatically invitations to bid.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 6.303-1: justification and approval

Consolidation combines separate requirements into one purchase. Bundling is a form of consolidation likely to make work unsuitable for a small business because of its size, complexity, or other factors. rfpseek shows the SAM notice type under Other notices; the notice explains the actual scope.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 2.101: consolidation and bundling definitions

An amendment changes a solicitation; a modification changes an existing contract; a cancellation withdraws a solicitation. FAR Part 14 covers invitation-for-bid changes. FAR 15.206 covers amendments and cancellation of negotiated solicitations. SAM also uses Modification/Amendment/Cancel as a notice type. rfpseek keeps related notices and reports changes to tracked solicitations.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 43.101: contract modification definitions; FAR 14.208: invitation-for-bid amendments; FAR 14.209: invitation-for-bid cancellation before opening; FAR 15.206: negotiated solicitation amendments and cancellation

An agency sale of property it no longer needs. It appears under Other notices in rfpseek and is not a contract to supply goods or services. Procurement set-aside and NAICS fields are not shown for these notices.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA surplus property sales

A system of industry codes. A solicitation's assigned code helps determine the applicable small-business size standard. rfpseek uses the notice's NAICS for filters, firm-profile comparisons, and new-match emails. An industry match alone does not establish eligibility.

Official definitions and guidance: Census Bureau NAICS definition and codes

A code describing what the government buys. rfpseek shows the notice's PSC in Opportunity facts and links to the official code manual. It describes the purchase rather than the contractor's industry.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA Product and Service Codes manual (PDF)

A purchase reserved, in whole or in part, for qualifying businesses. rfpseek compares the listed set-aside with the ones saved in your firm profile. Save qualifications you already hold; a profile selection does not grant certification or verify every solicitation requirement.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 19.501: small-business set-asides

Unrestricted means the purchase is not reserved for a particular small-business category. A missing set-aside is less specific: the record supplies no restriction. rfpseek also displays Unrestricted when the set-aside is missing. That label does not prove that you meet every requirement.

Related official guidance: FAR 19.501: set-aside restrictions; GSA notice field definitions

A total set-aside reserves the whole purchase for qualifying small businesses; a partial set-aside reserves a portion. rfpseek shows the SAM label and compares its code with your firm profile. Small-business status depends on the applicable size standard.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR subpart 19.5: total and partial set-asides; SBA size standards and contracting requirements

An SBA program for qualifying socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. Its name comes from section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. In rfpseek, save the applicable 8(a) set-asides only if your firm qualifies for them.

Official definitions and guidance: SBA certification programs

An SBA program for qualifying businesses associated with designated areas. rfpseek can compare a HUBZone set-aside with your saved profile; the official program and solicitation determine qualification.

Official definitions and guidance: SBA certification programs

These are distinct categories in the SBA's women-owned small-business contracting program. rfpseek displays the notice's category and compares the saved set-aside code. Select the qualifications your firm holds rather than assuming one category covers every notice.

Official definitions and guidance: SBA certification programs

These identify veteran-owned business categories. The notice's program and certification rules matter. rfpseek compares the specific listed set-aside with your saved profile; veteran ownership alone does not establish qualification for every veteran set-aside.

Official definitions and guidance: SBA veteran business certification

A purchase made from one source rather than through competition among multiple sources. This may appear in a set-aside label or justification. rfpseek preserves that label; it does not mean the notice is open to competing bids.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 2.101: sole source acquisition definition

Eligibility is whether your business meets a purchase's requirements. Your rfpseek firm profile stores your stated NAICS codes and set-asides and can store a UEI for exclusion checks. Profile matches help narrow the search but do not verify every requirement in the notice or attachments.

Related official guidance: SBA size standards and contracting requirements; SBA certification programs

A government restriction that can prevent a firm from receiving new awards. Suspension is generally temporary; debarment excludes a firm for a specified period. rfpseek reports active SAM exclusions matched by UEI. No match does not establish that a firm is clear.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 9.403: suspension and debarment definitions

The incumbent is the contractor currently doing the work; incumbency refers to that position. rfpseek names the latest known recipient of a matched USASpending award as the holder. A match supplies award-history evidence, not proof that the current solicitation has been awarded or that the firm still holds all the work.

Related official guidance: FAR 22.1008-2: incumbent and predecessor contracts; USASpending federal spending guide (PDF)

The recipient is the business reported on an award record. rfpseek distinguishes a matched USASpending recipient from the winner named on a SAM award notice. Follow the source links to check the evidence.

Official definitions and guidance: FPDS award glossary; GSA notice field definitions

The initial award of a contract, as distinct from a later change. rfpseek uses this label only when the matched USASpending transaction identifies a base award action. It does not by itself confirm an award of the current solicitation.

Related official guidance: FPDS award glossary

An agency action using a right in an existing contract to buy additional work or extend performance. rfpseek shows this label when USASpending identifies an exercise of an option. It is not a new competition or necessarily a full option year.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 17.207: exercise of options

An order buys work under an existing contract or agreement. Task orders usually cover services and delivery orders cover supplies. rfpseek labels qualifying initial transactions with a parent award as New order, including qualifying agreement calls. New work on an existing vehicle is different from exercising an option.

Related official guidance: FAR 2.101: task and delivery order definitions; FPDS award glossary

A contract vehicle provides a way to place later purchases. An IDIQ contract allows orders within stated limits; a BPA establishes an arrangement for repeated purchases. These may be named in notice text. The recipient of an individual order can differ from a vehicle holder, so inspect the linked award.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 16.504: indefinite-quantity contracts; FAR 13.303-1: blanket purchase agreements

rfpseek marks a solicitation Awarded when a later, matching full-scope SAM award notice supports that conclusion, with transaction corroboration when available. The search filter can show or hide these bids. Missing award evidence does not prove bidding remains open.

Related official guidance: FAR 5.301: award announcements

The award amount shown and filtered in rfpseek is the value reported by SAM for an award notice. The award number identifies the reported contract or order. Neither is interchangeable with an agency forecast estimate.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA notice field definitions

An identifier for a solicitation or contract action. Modern PIIDs must be unique government-wide. rfpseek pairs every raw award number with the awarding agency when matching records. Older records can use legacy numbering.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 4.1601: procurement instrument identifiers

The government site for entity registration, contract opportunities, and exclusions. rfpseek imports its notices nightly and links to the official notice for complete instructions and attachments.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA explanation of SAM.gov

The government's public spending database. rfpseek uses its award transactions to identify matched recipients, distinguish certain contract actions, and link to award and firm profiles. Records can arrive after the action occurred.

Official definitions and guidance: USASpending federal spending guide (PDF); USASpending data sources and reporting delays (PDF)

The main rules for federal acquisition. rfpseek links recognized FAR references in a notice description to the current text on Acquisition.gov. Check the solicitation for the applicable clause version, alternates, deviations, and attachments.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 1.101: Federal Acquisition Regulation purpose

The federal agency responsible for small-business programs and size standards. rfpseek may link a matched recipient to SBA Small Business Search to look up certifications and capabilities; the existence of a link does not verify certification.

Official definitions and guidance: About the Small Business Administration

The 12-character identifier assigned through SAM to an entity. Save your firm's UEI in rfpseek to check for matching active exclusions. Recipient identifiers also help build official firm-profile links.

Official definitions and guidance: USDA SAM.gov and Unique Entity ID guidance

A code identifying an entity at a specific location. rfpseek uses a valid recipient CAGE code together with its UEI to build an SBA Small Business Search lookup link.

Official definitions and guidance: DLA CAGE code definition

A code identifying an agency office or activity. rfpseek shows the notice's AAC in Opportunity facts when supplied. It helps distinguish the office buying the work.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA AAC and DoDAAC definitions

A government accounting classification used to identify agencies. rfpseek displays the agency code from SAM in Opportunity facts when present; it is not a contractor qualification.

Official definitions and guidance: OMB CGAC agency codes (PDF); Treasury CGAC reporting format

The federal contract reporting system. The FPDS field in rfpseek's Opportunity facts is the agency code supplied by SAM, not a contract number. Reported contract data also feeds USASpending.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 4.601: Federal Procurement Data System definitions; FPDS award glossary

The defense department. rfpseek warns that its award records lag about 90 days. Recent work can be missing from the matched award history.

Official definitions and guidance: USASpending data sources and reporting delays (PDF)

These agency names can appear in forecast sources or notices. rfpseek's forecast filters currently link HHS and NAVAIR NAWCWD planning records to notices. A forecast is an estimate, not an award. USACE award records lag about 90 days, so recent work can be missing from the matched award history.

Official definitions and guidance: About HHS; About NAVAIR; About NAWCWD; About USACE; USASpending data sources and reporting delays (PDF)

These describe the buying organization at different levels: a department or independent agency, a subordinate agency, and the contracting office. Org type is SAM's organization category. rfpseek shows the supplied values in Opportunity facts and offers a department filter.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA federal organization hierarchy; GSA notice field definitions

The bid window is the number of calendar days between posting and the response deadline. rfpseek flags windows of 14 days or less and offers minimum and maximum day filters. A short window alone does not prove a preference for the incumbent.

Related official guidance: FAR 5.203: publicizing and response time

UTC is a time standard, not your local time zone. rfpseek labels relevant deadline and watch times with UTC or a numeric offset. USD means the dollar currency used for award and forecast values.

Official definitions and guidance: NIST UTC definition; Federal Reserve USD abbreviation

These describe a notice's status and removal from SAM's active listing. rfpseek retains archived notices and history. Active status does not establish that the response deadline is still in the future.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA notice status and archive fields

Scope describes the work to deliver; place of performance is where it will happen. rfpseek displays the available description and location. Check the official attachments for complete requirements.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR subpart 37.6: statements of work; FPDS award glossary

The person listed by the agency for notice questions. rfpseek shows available contact names, roles, email addresses, and phone numbers on the notice page. Follow the notice's communication instructions.

Official definitions and guidance: GSA notice field definitions

An agency's planning estimate for a future purchase. rfpseek displays the linked source and evidence. A range matches a value filter when it overlaps the selected amounts. Forecasts can change and are not bid prices or contract awards.

Related official guidance: SBA federal agency procurement forecasts

Related notices share a solicitation number in rfpseek and show its recorded history. Original type is the SAM base notice type when it differs from the current type. Review newer notices for changes to deadlines or requirements.

Related official guidance: GSA notice field definitions; GSA related notices

A watch saves a solicitation to your signed-in account so rfpseek can report new or changed notices and matching holder exclusion changes. Set the watch email frequency in your alert settings. Updates follow data refreshes rather than live monitoring.

Related official guidance: SAM.gov guidance on following opportunities

A digest collects matching notices into one email at your chosen frequency. rfpseek's new-match emails use your saved NAICS codes and set-asides for bids and early leads, leaving out award notices. A match is a reason to inspect the notice, not a complete eligibility determination.

Related official guidance: SAM.gov guidance on saved-search notifications

A ceiling is an upper limit rather than a promise to spend that amount. A total including options counts work the agency may choose to order later. rfpseek explains when a forecast range uses either basis and when the source does not say whether options are included.

Official definitions and guidance: FAR 16.504: minimum and maximum contract quantities; FAR 17.202: use of options

A federal fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30 and takes the year in which it ends. Q1 is October through December; Q2 is January through March; Q3 is April through June; Q4 is July through September. These labels may appear in an agency forecast linked by rfpseek.

Official definitions and guidance: GAO fiscal year definition (PDF); GAO fiscal quarter dates

The source has not supplied a definite value or date. In forecast records, it means the amount or timing is unknown, rather than zero. rfpseek cannot match an unknown forecast amount to a numeric value filter.

Official definitions and guidance: NASA TBD definition