Guides / How-to
Sources Sought vs solicitation: what's the difference?
On SAM.gov the same agency can post a Sources Sought one month and a solicitation the next. They look similar in search results. They are not the same kind of opportunity.
Side-by-side
| Sources Sought / RFI | Solicitation | |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a bid? | No. Market research. | Yes. You price and submit an offer. |
| Can the agency award from it? | No. | Yes, after evaluation. |
| Typical ask | Capability statement, answers to questions | Proposal, price schedule, forms |
| Why answer | Shape set-asides; get early notice; introduce your firm | Win the work |
| Cost of a reply | Usually an hour or two | Hours to days of estimating |
Sources Sought and RFIs
A Sources Sought notice (or a Request for Information) asks who could perform the work. The agency is still deciding how to buy: full and open, small-business set-aside, or a socioeconomic program. Your reply is evidence, not an offer. Details and a reply checklist: how to respond to a Sources Sought notice.
Solicitations
A Solicitation or Combined Synopsis/Solicitation is the request for offers. Attachments usually include the work statement, price schedule, wage determination and instructions. Deadlines, evaluation factors and required forms are binding. Next step: how to read a solicitation and its wage determination.
Related notice types
- Presolicitation: heads-up that a solicitation is coming; often not a call for offers yet.
- Special Notice: site visits, industry days or other announcements.
- Award Notice: who won; useful for research, not bidding.
Filter notice type carefully on SAM.gov. Filtering to solicitations only hides Sources Sought notices worth answering.
What to do when you find each
- Sources Sought / RFI: reply if you can do the work. Keep it short, answer every question, and follow the notice for the later solicitation.
- Presolicitation: calendar the expected date; start SAM.gov registration and site-visit planning if you are interested.
- Solicitation: download every attachment, check amendments the day before you submit, and confirm set-aside and NAICS size standard.
Our open-bids tracker labels notice type on each listing so you can see Sources Sought and solicitations in the same snapshot.
General information from the Bid Brief team, not legal or contracting advice. Each notice's own instructions control. We aren't affiliated with SAM.gov, SBA or any government agency. Last reviewed Nov 5, 2026.
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More guides
- How to find federal janitorial bids on SAM.gov: Step-by-step search: codes, filters, notice types, saved searches and amendments.
- How to read a federal solicitation and its wage determination: Where the scope, price schedule, instructions, evaluation and minimum wages are in the paperwork.
- Checklist: bidding your first federal janitorial contract: A printable checklist from registration to start-up, for small cleaning companies.
- How set-asides work for small cleaning and landscaping firms: Small business, 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB set-asides, size limits and the rules that trip people up.
- How to respond to a Sources Sought notice: What a Sources Sought or RFI is, why small firms should answer, and what to put in a short reply.
- Weekly bid list vs checking SAM.gov yourself: When a free weekly facilities list helps, when to search SAM.gov yourself, and how Bid Brief fits.
- Sources Sought vs solicitation: what's the difference?: Side-by-side: market research notices versus real requests for offers, and what to do with each.
- How to register on SAM.gov so you can bid: High-level steps for a free Unique Entity ID and active entity registration before you submit an offer.
- NAICS codes for janitorial, grounds and facilities work: Common NAICS and PSC codes for cleaning, landscaping, snow, pest and facilities support, with search tips.
- How to find VA janitorial and grounds contracts: Searching Department of Veterans Affairs facilities work on SAM.gov, including SDVOSB priority.