Glossary term
Market Research
The FAR-required process by which agencies determine whether commercial items and capable sources exist before soliciting.
FAR Part 10 requires agencies to conduct market research before developing requirements and soliciting offers. It shapes the acquisition strategy: contract type, whether commercial-item procedures apply, and whether a set-aside is appropriate. For contractors, market research is the phase where influence is actually possible — once the solicitation posts, the requirements are largely fixed.
Categories
- acquisition
- capture
Related terms
- Sources Sought NoticeA market research notice used to identify potential vendors and determine whether a small-business set-aside is justified.
- Request for Information (RFI)A market research notice asking industry for information; it is not a solicitation and no award results from it.
- Capability StatementA one-to-two-page marketing document that summarizes a contractor's core competencies, past performance, and differentiators for federal buyers.