Government Contracting Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the acronyms and terms you'll hit when bidding on federal, state, and local contracts — 59 of them, no jargon. Bookmark it.

8(a)

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program — for small, disadvantaged businesses. 9-year program with sole-source contract eligibility.

8(a) Business Development

SBA 8(a) program — 9-year development program for small, disadvantaged businesses with sole-source eligibility.

8a

SBA 8(a) Business Development Program — for small, disadvantaged businesses. 9-year program with sole-source eligibility.

Active Solicitation

The government is accepting bids/proposals right now. Check the deadline and respond before it closes.

Award Notice

Contract has been awarded — see who won and for how much.

BPA

Blanket Purchase Agreement — streamlined ordering for recurring needs. Like a standing order with a vendor.

CAGE

Commercial and Government Entity Code — 5-character identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency.

CO

Contracting Officer — the government official authorized to award and administer contracts.

Combined

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation — announcement and solicitation published together.

Combined Synopsis

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation — announcement and solicitation published together in a single notice.

COR

Contracting Officer's Representative — technical point of contact managing day-to-day contract performance.

DFARS

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement — additional rules for Department of Defense contracts.

DUNS

Data Universal Numbering System — retired in 2022, replaced by UEI.

EDWOSB

Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business — additional certification for WOSB.

edwosb

Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business — additional certification beyond WOSB.

Expiring Contract

An existing contract is ending soon. The government will likely re-compete it — this is your chance to bid.

FAR

Federal Acquisition Regulation — the rulebook for how the government buys things. 53 parts, 1,900+ pages.

Full & Open

No set-aside — any business (small or large) can compete.

Grant

Federal grant funding opportunity. Grants don't require repayment but have strict reporting requirements.

GSA

General Services Administration — manages government buildings, fleets, and the GSA Schedule (a pre-approved vendor list).

GSA Schedule

Pre-negotiated contract vehicle — once you're on the GSA Schedule, agencies can buy from you directly without full competition.

GWAC

Government-Wide Acquisition Contract — large contract vehicles that multiple agencies can use.

HUBZone

Historically Underutilized Business Zone — set-aside for businesses in designated economically distressed areas.

hubzone

HUBZone — set-aside for businesses in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (economically distressed areas).

IDIQ

Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity — contract with a minimum and maximum value, orders placed as needed.

IFB

Invitation for Bid — sealed bidding, strictly lowest price wins.

Incumbent

The company currently holding this contract. Incumbents win re-competes ~70% of the time — knowing who they are is critical intelligence.

Intent to Bundle

Notice that the government plans to combine multiple requirements into one large contract.

Local RFP

City or county procurement. Local contracts often favor businesses with a physical presence in the area.

NAICS

North American Industry Classification System — categorizes businesses by what they do. Your NAICS codes determine which contracts you see.

POC

Point of Contact — the person to reach out to about this opportunity.

Pre-Solicitation

Early notice that a solicitation is coming. Get ready — the full RFP drops soon.

PSC

Product Service Code — classifies what the government is buying (products vs. services, and which type).

PWS

Performance Work Statement — describes desired outcomes rather than specific tasks.

Re-compete

When a contract expires and the government re-opens it for competition. Your best chance to unseat an incumbent.

RFI

Request for Information — government gathering market research, not a contract yet.

RFP

Request for Proposal — the government wants detailed proposals evaluated on quality and price.

RFQ

Request for Quotation — simplified purchase, usually lowest price wins.

SAM

System for Award Management — the government's official registration database. Must be active to win contracts.

SBA

Small Business Administration — federal agency that advocates for small businesses.

SDVOSB

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business — set-aside for veteran entrepreneurs with service-connected disabilities.

sdvosb

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business — set-aside for veteran entrepreneurs with service-connected disabilities.

SIC

Standard Industrial Classification — older system replaced by NAICS.

small_business

Total Small Business set-aside — only small businesses can bid. Large companies are excluded.

Solicitation

Active contract opportunity — the government is accepting bids/proposals right now.

Sources Sought

Government asking "who can do this?" Respond to get on their radar before the RFP.

SOW

Statement of Work — describes exactly what the contractor must deliver.

Special Notice

Informational notice — not a contract, but may signal upcoming opportunities.

State IFB

State-level Invitation for Bid. Sealed bidding — lowest responsive, responsible bidder wins.

State RFP

State-level Request for Proposal. State contracts total $500B+ annually and are often less competitive than federal.

Subcontracting

A prime contractor needs subcontractors. Good way to build past performance without competing directly for the prime.

Surplus Sale

Government selling surplus property or equipment.

Total Small Business

Set-aside for small businesses only — large companies cannot bid.

Total Small Business Set-Aside

Only small businesses can bid — large companies are excluded from competition.

UEI

Unique Entity Identifier — your 12-character ID for doing business with the government. Replaced DUNS numbers in 2022.

VOSB

Veteran-Owned Small Business — businesses at least 51% owned by veterans.

vosb

Veteran-Owned Small Business — businesses at least 51% owned by veterans.

WOSB

Women-Owned Small Business — set-aside for businesses at least 51% owned by women.

wosb

Women-Owned Small Business — set-aside for businesses at least 51% owned by women.