Presolicitation Notice

A presolicitation notice is an advance public announcement posted on SAM.gov that alerts the contractor community to an upcoming procurement action, giving potential offerors time to prepare and decide whether to pursue the opportunity.

What is a Presolicitation Notice?

Under FAR 5.204, agencies must publish a presolicitation notice at least 15 days before issuing a solicitation for contracts expected to exceed $25,000 (with some exceptions). The notice provides early warning of an upcoming procurement without releasing the full solicitation documents.

A presolicitation notice typically includes:

• The agency name and contracting office
• A brief description of the supplies or services needed
• The anticipated contract type
• The anticipated set-aside designation (if any)
• The applicable NAICS code and small business size standard
• Estimated solicitation release date
• Estimated contract performance period
• Contact information for the contracting office

Presolicitation notices appear on SAM.gov under the "Presolicitation" notice type. Agencies may also post a "Combined Synopsis/Solicitation" that serves as both the presolicitation and the actual solicitation simultaneously for simpler procurements.

The presolicitation notice is different from a sources sought notice, a sources sought is explicitly asking for capability information to support market research, while a presolicitation is announcing that a procurement decision has already been made and a solicitation is coming.

Why Presolicitation Notices matter for government contractors

Presolicitation notices are the earliest public signal that a procurement is imminent. Contractors who monitor SAM.gov for presolicitations gain critical lead time, sometimes weeks or months before competitors who wait for the actual solicitation. This time can be used to gather intelligence about the agency's needs, position incumbents for the transition, build a teaming strategy, or decide early whether to bid. Many agencies also accept questions or comments during the presolicitation phase, giving engaged contractors another opportunity to influence requirements. See also our guide on how to find government contracts.

Example

The Department of Veterans Affairs posts a presolicitation notice for medical supply chain management services. The notice indicates a five-year IDIQ contract valued at approximately $50 million, a small business set-aside, and a solicitation release date six weeks out. A healthcare logistics company sees the notice and immediately begins researching the VA's current vendor, reviewing past performance requirements, and reaching out to potential teaming partners, six weeks ahead of competitors who only start working when the RFP is released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is responding to a presolicitation notice required?

No. Presolicitation notices are informational, they do not require any contractor action. However, monitoring and acting on presolicitation notices is best practice for proactive business development.

How long after a presolicitation must an agency release the solicitation?

The FAR requires a minimum of 15 days between the presolicitation notice and solicitation release, but agencies frequently take longer. If the solicitation is significantly delayed, the agency should update the SAM.gov posting.

What is the difference between a presolicitation and a special notice?

A presolicitation specifically announces an upcoming procurement action. A special notice is a catch-all category for other government announcements, such as industry days, award announcements, or modifications to prior notices, that do not fit other SAM.gov notice categories.

Can the agency change the scope after a presolicitation?

Yes. The presolicitation is not a binding commitment. Agencies can change the scope, set-aside status, contract type, or timeline before releasing the solicitation. Major changes may be communicated through an updated notice on SAM.gov.