What Is a Government Solicitation?
A solicitation is an agency's official request for bids, quotes or proposals. It describes the work, the terms, how to respond and how offers are judged.
Solicitation in plain English
RFPs, RFQs and IFBs are all solicitations. On SAM.gov they're posted as Solicitation or Combined Synopsis/Solicitation notices, sometimes after a presolicitation notice that says one is coming.
Two parts deserve the most attention. Section L tells you how to prepare and submit your offer, and Section M explains how offers will be evaluated.
Agencies can change a solicitation after it's posted by issuing an amendment, such as a new deadline or answers to questions. You generally must acknowledge each amendment in your offer, so keep checking the notice until the deadline.
Related terms
- RFP (request for proposals): A request for proposals (RFP) is the solicitation for a negotiated contract, where the agency can weigh price against your approach and past performance.
- RFQ (request for quotations): A request for quotations (RFQ) is a solicitation asking businesses for price quotes. It's common on smaller and simpler federal purchases.
- IFB (invitation for bids): An invitation for bids (IFB) is the solicitation used in sealed bidding. Bids are opened at a set time and judged on price and price-related factors.
- Sources sought notice: A sources sought notice is market research: an agency asks which businesses can do a job before it decides how to buy. Answering it isn't a bid.
Put it to work
Looking for another term? Browse the full glossary or the government contracting glossary guide.