What Is a Sources Sought Notice and Why Should It Matter to Contractors?

In the world of federal contracting, timing and positioning are just as important as pricing and performance. Many contractors focus their attention on formal solicitations when a contract is open for bids and competition is officially underway. But experienced government contractors know that by the time a solicitation is published, the window of influence has already started to close.

Before the Request for Proposal (RFP) hits SAM.gov, before any technical specifications are finalized, there’s another critical step that too often goes ignored by small construction businesses: the Sources Sought Notice.

At Phoenix General Contractors, we treat Sources Sought Notices as a strategic opportunity. Not just to raise our hand and say, “we’re interested,” but to help shape the opportunity itself—by demonstrating capacity, suggesting alternatives, and aligning the agency’s needs with our certified capabilities.

What Is a Sources Sought Notice?

A Sources Sought Notice (SSN) is a market research tool used by government agencies to gather information about potential vendors before deciding on the best way to procure services. It is not a solicitation for bids. There is no contract to win at this stage. But the intent is clear: the agency wants to understand what businesses exist in the market that can perform the work, and how those businesses are structured—especially when it comes to socioeconomic set-aside categories like 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, or SDVOSB.

In essence, a Sources Sought Notice is the government asking, “Who out there can do this?” and “How should we write the RFP to make it fair, competitive, and aligned with small business goals?”

Why Contractors Should Care—Long Before the Bid Drops

Responding to a Sources Sought Notice won’t land you a contract—but it can help shape the one that eventually gets released. For small, certified businesses like ours, this moment presents a unique chance to position ourselves ahead of the crowd.

We use SSNs to:

• Inform the agency that a qualified 8(a) firm exists for the upcoming work.

• Share past performance that directly relates to the anticipated scope.

• Recommend contract structures or delivery methods we know are effective.

• Demonstrate geographic reach, self-performance capacity, and subcontracting plans.

That could mean the difference between a full-and-open competition and a small business set-aside. It could be the reason an agency opts for a design-build approach instead of design-bid-build. These aren’t just preferences—they’re conditions that impact whether a small firm like Phoenix General Contractors can compete effectively.

When We See One, We Respond

We don’t treat Sources Sought Notices as optional. If it’s in our wheelhouse—even slightly—we evaluate it for potential. Not every SSN turns into a solicitation we pursue, but every response keeps our company visible to procurement officers who handle projects in our region and scope.

Recently, we responded to Sources Sought Notices for structural concrete and water work at a federal level. While the agency hadn’t yet finalized their scope or decided whether to use an IDIQ or stand-alone contract, our response helped illustrate how an 8(a) certified prime could successfully lead the work, with cost-effective self-performance and no compromise to compliance or scheduling.

These responses don’t just help us stand out— they help agencies decide to set aside the contract for small business participation, increasing their own procurement scorecard performance. And when that solicitation eventually dropped, our name was already in the folder marked “companies to watch.”

What’s In a Strong Sources Sought Response?

A lot of companies make the mistake of copying and pasting boilerplate information into every Sources Sought response. That’s not how we approach it.

Our strategy includes:

• Tailoring the narrative to the agency’s anticipated project.

• Summarizing past performance that clearly matches scope, location, or technical requirements.

• Stating our small business status, including SBA 8(a) certification, with our Unique Entity ID and CAGE code.

• Highlighting bonding capacity, self-performance ability, and availability of key staff.

• Offering suggestions that might streamline the procurement—such as simplifying phasing, recommending task order structures, or offering insights from similar completed projects.

We approach it with the same care we bring to a technical proposal. Because while it may not be scored, it is being read—and it can inform decisions that affect the entire downstream procurement.

The Opportunity Before the Opportunity

Many contractors wait until an RFP is published to decide whether to get involved. But by

then, the scope, terms, and contract type are largely set. Your ability to shape the opportunity is minimal. You’re responding reactively, not participating in the process strategically.

Responding to a Sources Sought Notice puts you on the radar early. It signals to the government that your company is not only technically capable but also engaged in the federal acquisition process. That matters more than most firms realize—especially with contracting officers looking to increase engagement with qualified small businesses. These early-stage connections often prove just as valuable as the contract award itself.

From Visibility to Viability

For a firm like Phoenix General Contractors—certified, nimble, and experienced in both construction and infrastructure maintenance—Sources Sought Notices are one of the best tools we have for staying visible and relevant in a competitive procurement space.

They allow us to show our technical strengths, advocate for equitable access, and build relationships with agencies long before the pressure of a bid deadline. More importantly, they let us contribute to better-designed procurements—ones that reflect the realities of modern construction delivery, small business capacity, and the critical needs of public infrastructure clients.

Stay Ready, Stay Informed

If you're a fellow contractor and you’re not responding to Sources Sought Notices, you're sitting out the early innings of the game. If you're an agency looking to meet your small business utilization goals with reliable performance—talk to firms who answer when these notices go out.

Because that's where value begins—before the drawings are final, before the portal opens, before the schedule starts ticking.

→ Want a partner who brings quality work and strategic planning? Contact Phoenix General Contractors to see how our capabilities align with your upcoming opportunities.