Discover Contracting Opportunities with GSA’s Forecast Tool
Navigating the world of federal contracting can be challenging, especially for small businesses trying to enter the market. With ever-changing procurement needs and competitive bidding processes, staying ahead demands the right tools and strategies. That’s where the GSA Forecast Tool comes in—a resource designed to highlight upcoming opportunities and empower businesses to identify them early.
The federal government provides forecasts of anticipated contract opportunities to ensure transparency and enhance competition. These forecasts are especially beneficial to small businesses, offering insights into potential opportunities long before they’re formally posted in the System for Award Management (SAM).
Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or a small business exploring federal opportunities for the first time, the GSA Forecast Tool equips you with the knowledge needed to plan, prepare, and succeed. With features that allow you to search by agency, NAICS code, location, and other key criteria, this tool is your gateway to understanding what agencies are planning to purchase and how your business can meet those needs.
In this blog, you will discover how this tool works, the benefits it offers, and strategies to help you make the most of it.
Why Use the GSA Forecast Tool?
The tool enables users to strategically plan and prepare ahead of formal postings in SAM, gaining an advantage over competitors who do not use this tool. The forecaster is a searchable database of upcoming contracting opportunities across current and future fiscal years.
The tool is publicly accessible at https://www.fbf.gov and is very user friendly. Users do not need to register in the platform or enter login credentials to obtain information.
How Can Users Filter Results:
- Customer agency
- NAICS code
- Contract type
- Set-aside
- Place of performance
- And more…
Benefits of the Forecast Tool:
- Early Insight: Access potential contracting opportunities early in the acquisition process.
- Strategic Planning: Develop marketing strategies and identify potential teaming partners before opportunities are posted in SAM.
- Preparation Time: Understand the expected procurement’s nature and scope, giving you time to prepare effectively.
Please keep in mind that details like the level of competition, small business involvement, estimated value, and other procurement specifics are only finalized when a solicitation is officially posted on SAM.gov.
Strategies for Success
To get the most out of the GSA Forecast Tool, implement these strategies:
- Point of Contact Name and Email
Each forecast entry includes a designated Point of Contact (POC). Direct your questions about a planned procurement to the POC listed.
To ensure efficient communication:
- Include the Listing ID in your correspondence to help the POC quickly identify the forecast record.
- Obtain as much information as possible to prepare for when the opportunity is published as a Request for Information (RFI), Request for Proposal (RFP), or solicitation.
2. Type of Set-Aside for the Opportunity
Review the acquisition strategy or type of set-aside listed for each opportunity. This section indicates whether the opportunity is:
- Planned for award to a large business
- Set aside for a small business or a specific socioeconomic small business category.
- Unrestricted, where all qualified offerors can participate
Understanding the acquisition strategy helps you identify opportunities that align with your eligibility.
3. Small Business Technical Advisor or Small Business Specialist
Include these individuals in your communications with the listing POC (this information appears in the forecast listing). These specialists can:
- Assist in obtaining additional information from the POC.
- Provide general guidance on small business contracting.
Get Started Today
By using the GSA Forecast Tool and following these strategies, you can effectively position your business to capture additional GSA contracting opportunities. Don’t forget to check regularly for updates, as new opportunities are added throughout the fiscal year.
We appreciate your interest in our GSA blog! Stay tuned for more informative content coming your way from BOOST LLC. Thank you for being a part of our community!
About The Author, Brie Paramo
Brie Paramo is an accomplished contracts professional with extensive experience in GSA schedules and GSA contracts. As a dedicated BOOST MAS consultant, she channels her expertise to assist contractors in effectively acquiring and managing their MAS contracts.
