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What is a sole source contract, and is there a legitimate way for a vendor to get one?

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  • A sole source contract is an award to one vendor without competition, and while uncommon, certain circumstances and certifications allow them.
  • A contracting officer can justify a sole source award under various conditions, such as when only one firm is capable of meeting the requirement, or for certain set-aside programs below specific dollar t
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I saw an intent to sole source notice on SAM.gov last week for software support, NAICS 541511. The notice was for a federal agency, and the deadline to respond was Monday. My company does that exact type of work, and we are certified as an SDVOSB. I've always heard that sole source contracts are nearly impossible to get, so I was surprised to see this. We didn't respond to the notice because it seemed like a done deal, but it got me thinking. What justifies a contracting officer making a sole source award? How do certified firms actually end up getting these direct awards? Does responding to an intent to sole source notice actually do anything?

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asked Tom B. Construction estimator, public works · Phoenix, AZ · 243 rep

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A sole source contract is an award to one vendor without competition, and while uncommon, certain circumstances and certifications allow them. A contracting officer can justify a sole source award under various conditions, such as when only one firm is capable of meeting the requirement, or for certain set-aside programs below specific dollar thresholds. For example, an 8(a) sole-source award is possible if the anticipated total value does not exceed $8.5 million for manufacturing NAICS codes or $5.5 million for other acquisitions. Similarly, an SDVOSB sole-source award requires an anticipated price including options not exceeding $8.5 million for manufacturing NAICS codes or $5 million for other NAICS codes, and the firm must be SBA-certified.

Responding to an intent to sole source notice can absolutely do something. These notices are published to confirm that only one source exists. If your firm can meet the requirements, your response provides the government with evidence that more than one source exists. This can lead to the requirement being competed instead of awarded sole source. The government uses these notices to test the market, especially for services with a NAICS code like 541511, Information Technology Professional Services.

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answered Dave H. Verified vendorParts distributor, DLA and DIBBS · Dayton, OH · 259 rep
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An intent to sole source notice, also called a presolicitation notice, is published on SAM.gov to satisfy public notice requirements and to determine if other sources are available. FAR 5.201(a) requires agencies to publicize contract actions. If a contracting officer receives responses that demonstrate other qualified sources exist, the requirement may be set aside for competition. For example, if two or more qualified small businesses respond, the contracting officer must set aside the acquisition for small business (FAR 19.502-2(b)). This is why it is important to respond to these notices, Tom.

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answered govcon.forum team RFPFinder staffModerators, RFPFinder staff · United States · 213 rep
It is worth noting that responding to a [presolicitation notice](https://govcon.forum/glossary/presolicitation/) for a DLA item on DIBBS is often too late. By then, the National Stock Number (NSN) has already been assigned to a particular supplier. · Dave H. ·

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

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