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How can I effectively use SAM.gov filters to find 'sources sought notices' for my industry?

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I'm trying to get better at finding federal opportunities before they turn into full solicitations. I keep hearing about sources sought notices as a way to get ahead, but using SAM.gov is a real struggle for me. I’m looking for janitorial work, usually under NAICS 561720, and I'm open to small business set-asides. I've tried filtering by NAICS, but I still get a ton of results that aren't sources sought, or they're for completely different services. It feels like I'm missing something fundamental in how to narrow down the search. What specific filters or search strategies should I be using on SAM.gov to reliably find these notices for my industry?

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asked Marcus T. Verified vendorOwner, janitorial and facilities firm · Columbus, OH · 1497 rep

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To effectively find sources sought notices on SAM.gov for your industry, you need to combine the "Notice Type" filter with your NAICS code and potentially keywords. First, navigate to the search page on SAM.gov and select "Contract Opportunities." In the filters section, under "Notice Type," choose "Sources Sought." This is the most crucial step to filter out all other types of announcements like RFPs or awards. Next, enter your primary NAICS code, 561720, into the "NAICS Code" field. You can also add relevant keywords like "janitorial services" or "custodial" to further refine your search. For small business set-asides, you can use the "Set-Aside Type" filter. Remember that a sources sought notice is a type of Request for Information (RFI), which the government uses to gauge market interest and capability, as described in FAR 15.201(e). My company uses this approach weekly to find opportunities and shape them.

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answered Priya S. Verified vendorCapture manager, IT services · Herndon, VA · 908 rep

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Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

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