What is a recompete, and how do I track when the incumbent's contract actually ends?

A recompete is when the government solicits for a follow-on contract for goods or services that are currently being provided under an existing contract. You can track exercised options by reviewing contract modifications in SAM.gov or by requesting information directly from the contracting office. USAspending often shows the total potential value, but individual option year exercises are typically documented as contract modifications (mods).

Each modification will show details like the effective date and any changes to the contract's period of performance or value. For federal contracts, these are often visible on the award notice page in SAM.gov, under the 'History' tab or similar section. Sometimes, particularly for larger contracts, contacting the contracting officer directly with a polite email inquiry is the most straightforward way to confirm the current period of performance.

A sources sought notice for a recompete can appear anywhere from 18 months to six months before the current contract's end date. For a substantial contract, the agency will typically issue a sources sought notice well in advance to gauge industry interest and capability, especially if they are considering changes to the scope or set-aside strategy. This helps the contracting officer develop a solicitation that aligns with market capabilities and agency needs, in accordance with FAR Part 10, Market Research.

The government tracks contract actions over the micro-purchase threshold in the Federal Procurement Data System. You can find the modifications there. You can also look at the prime contract line item numbers, the CLINs, in the original award to see the base and all option periods. The contracting officer will exercise an option year through a contract modification.