Knowledge base

Glossary

117 acronyms and terms federal, defense and aerospace contractors meet every day, in plain language. Jump to a letter or filter the list; terms with a guide link to the full explanation.

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117 terms, A–Z.

0–9

8(a)8(a) Business Development Program: SBA’s nine-year business development program for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and for certain entity-owned firms. Participants can compete for 8(a) set-asides and receive sole-source awards (13 CFR Part 124).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: SDB, Set-aside, MPP

A

Affiliation: When one business controls or has the power to control another, or a third party controls both, SBA treats them as affiliates and counts their combined receipts or employees when deciding size (13 CFR 121.103).; Learn more about NAICS size standardsSee also: Ostensible subcontractor rule, Size standard
ANCAlaska Native Corporation: A corporation organized under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Firms owned by ANCs can participate in the 8(a) program under special rules in 13 CFR Part 124.; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: 8(a)
AS9100: The quality management system standard for aviation, space and defense organizations, built on ISO 9001. Many aerospace primes require it of their suppliers.; See also: Capability statement

B

BAABroad Agency Announcement: A general announcement of an agency’s research interests that invites proposals for basic and applied research (FAR 35.016). Proposals are evaluated through scientific or peer review rather than against a single statement of work.; Learn more about Other Transaction agreements (OTAs)See also: OTA, SBIR/STTR
Best value: The expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement (FAR 2.101). Agencies reach it through tradeoff or lowest price technically acceptable source selections.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Tradeoff process, LPTA
Bid/no-bid decision: A capture gate at which a company decides whether to pursue an opportunity, based on fit, customer knowledge, competition, teaming and the cost to bid.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Capture management
Blind SPRS bracket: TeamingIndex’s privacy-preserving way to show an SPRS score as cumulative thresholds, such as “at least 85”, instead of the exact number. The exact score is revealed only in limited cases, such as after a mutual NDA between two companies.; Learn more about blind SPRS bracketsSee also: SPRS
BPABlanket purchase agreement: A simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs by setting up “charge accounts” with qualified sources (FAR 13.303). Agencies also establish BPAs under GSA Schedule contracts (FAR 8.405-3).; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: GSA Schedule, IDIQ
Bridge contract: A short-term contract or extension that keeps services running when a recompete runs late. Bridges and extensions move the real end date of the incumbent’s work.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Recompete, Option

C

C3PAOCMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization: An organization authorized by the CMMC accreditation body to conduct CMMC Level 2 certification assessments (32 CFR Part 170).; Learn more about CMMC 2.0See also: CMMC, Cyber AB, DIBCAC
CAGE codeCommercial and Government Entity code: A five-character identifier the Defense Logistics Agency assigns to entities registered in SAM.gov, used for facility clearances, payments and logistics.; Learn more about SAM.gov registration and the UEISee also: UEI, SAM
Capability statement: A one- or two-page summary of a company’s capabilities, past performance, differentiators and identifiers, used in market research responses and partner outreach.; Learn more about capability statementsSee also: Sources sought, Market research
Capture management: The work between identifying an opportunity and submitting a proposal: understanding the customer, shaping the requirement, building the team and developing a winning solution.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Bid/no-bid decision, Win theme
CDICovered defense information: Under DFARS 252.204-7012, unclassified controlled technical information or other CUI that is marked or otherwise identified in a DoD contract, or that the contractor handles in support of performing it.; Learn more about CUI and Zero-CUI practicesSee also: CUI, NIST SP 800-171
CDRLContract Data Requirements List: The DD Form 1423 list of data items, such as reports and technical data, that a DoD contractor must deliver, usually attached to the contract in Section J.; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: PWS
CLINContract line item number: A numbered line in Section B of a contract that identifies a separately priced supply or service.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: RFP
CMMCCybersecurity Maturity Model Certification: DoD’s program, codified at 32 CFR Part 170, that verifies contractors protect FCI and CUI at the level a contract requires: Level 1 (Self), Level 2 (Self or C3PAO) or Level 3 (DIBCAC).; Learn more about CMMC 2.0See also: C3PAO, DIBCAC, SPRS, POA&M, Conditional CMMC status, CMMC affirmation
CMMC affirmation: A statement by a senior company official in SPRS that the company meets and will continue to meet its CMMC requirements, made after each assessment and at least annually (32 CFR 170.22).; Learn more about CMMC 2.0See also: CMMC, SPRS
COContracting officer: The Government official with authority to enter into, administer and terminate contracts (FAR 1.602). Only a contracting officer acting within delegated authority can bind the Government or change a contract.; See also: COR
Competitive range: The group of most highly rated proposals a contracting officer selects for discussions (FAR 15.306(c)).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Discussions
Conditional CMMC status: A CMMC Level 2 or Level 3 status granted while permitted requirements remain on a POA&M. It lasts 180 days, by which time a closeout assessment must confirm the requirements are met for the status to become Final (32 CFR Part 170).; Learn more about Final vs. Conditional CMMC statusSee also: POA&M, CMMC
CORContracting officer’s representative: An individual the contracting officer designates in writing to perform specific technical or administrative functions on a contract (FAR 1.604). A COR has no authority to change the contract.; See also: CO
CPARSContractor Performance Assessment Reporting System: The system agencies use to record contractor performance evaluations under FAR Subpart 42.15. Source selection teams use the records to evaluate past performance on future awards.; Learn more about past performanceSee also: Past performance, PPQ
CSOCommercial Solutions Opening: A competitive procedure for acquiring innovative commercial products, technologies or services through general solicitations and peer review of proposals (10 U.S.C. 3458). DoD organizations also use similar processes to award prototype Other Transactions.; Learn more about Other Transaction agreements (OTAs)See also: OTA
CTAContractor team arrangement: Under FAR Subpart 9.6, a partnership or joint venture formed to act as prime, or a prime-subcontractor arrangement for a specific acquisition. On the GSA Schedule, a CTA lets two or more schedule holders offer a combined solution.; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: Teaming agreement, JV
CUIControlled Unclassified Information: Information the Government creates or possesses, or an entity creates or possesses for the Government, that law, regulation or Government-wide policy requires or permits to be handled with safeguarding or dissemination controls (32 CFR Part 2002). It is not classified information.; Learn more about CUI and Zero-CUI practicesSee also: FCI, CDI, NIST SP 800-171
Cyber ABCMMC accreditation body: The organization DoD recognizes under 32 CFR Part 170 to authorize and accredit C3PAOs and oversee the CMMC assessor ecosystem.; Learn more about CMMC 2.0See also: C3PAO

D

DCSADefense Counterintelligence and Security Agency: The DoD agency that, among other missions, grants and oversees facility clearances for most cleared contractors under the National Industrial Security Program.; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: FCL, NISPOM, DD Form 254
DD Form 254Contract Security Classification Specification: The form that gives a contractor the security requirements and classification guidance for classified work. It is the basis for sponsoring a facility clearance and flows down to cleared subcontractors.; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: FCL, DCSA
DDTCDirectorate of Defense Trade Controls: The State Department office that administers the ITAR, including registration of manufacturers, exporters and brokers of defense articles and services, and export licensing.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: ITAR, USML
Debriefing: An agency’s explanation to an offeror of how its proposal was evaluated. Offerors must request it in writing within the deadline in FAR 15.505 or 15.506.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Discussions
Deemed export: A release of controlled technology or source code to a foreign person in the United States, treated under the EAR as an export to that person’s most recent country of citizenship or permanent residency. The ITAR treats such releases similarly.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: EAR, ITAR
DFARSDefense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: DoD’s supplement to the FAR (48 CFR Chapter 2), containing DoD-specific policies and clauses such as DFARS 252.204-7012 and 252.204-7021.; See also: FAR
DIBCACDefense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center: The Defense Contract Management Agency organization that performs DoD’s Medium and High NIST SP 800-171 assessments and CMMC Level 3 assessments.; Learn more about CMMC 2.0See also: CMMC, C3PAO
Discussions: Negotiations with offerors in the competitive range, in which the contracting officer must at least raise deficiencies and significant weaknesses so each offeror can revise its proposal (FAR 15.306(d)).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Competitive range

E

EARExport Administration Regulations: Commerce Department rules (15 CFR Parts 730 to 774), administered by the Bureau of Industry and Security, that control exports of commercial, dual-use and certain military items on the Commerce Control List.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: ECCN, ITAR, Deemed export
ECCNExport Control Classification Number: The five-character code that identifies an item on the EAR’s Commerce Control List. Items subject to the EAR but not listed are generally designated EAR99.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: EAR
EDWOSBEconomically disadvantaged women-owned small business: A WOSB whose women owners also meet SBA’s economic disadvantage criteria. EDWOSB set-asides are available in industries where SBA has found women-owned firms substantially underrepresented (13 CFR Part 127).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: WOSB
Exclusion: A suspension, debarment, proposed debarment or other ineligibility recorded in SAM.gov that generally bars a company from new federal awards and restricts subcontracts with it (FAR Subpart 9.4 and FAR 52.209-6).; Learn more about SAM exclusions and responsibilitySee also: SAM

F

Fair opportunity: The requirement to give each awardee on a multiple-award IDIQ a fair opportunity to be considered for each order above the micro-purchase threshold, subject to limited exceptions (FAR 16.505(b)).; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: IDIQ, Task order
FARFederal Acquisition Regulation: The primary regulation for acquisitions by federal executive agencies (48 CFR Chapter 1), with agency supplements such as the DFARS.; See also: DFARS
FCIFederal Contract Information: Information not intended for public release that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract, other than information provided to the public or simple transactional information (FAR 52.204-21). CMMC Level 1 covers its protection.; Learn more about CUI and Zero-CUI practicesSee also: CUI, CMMC
FCLFacility clearance: An administrative determination that a company is eligible for access to classified information at a given level: Confidential, Secret or Top Secret. A company cannot request one itself; a Government customer or cleared contractor must sponsor it.; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: DCSA, DD Form 254, FSO, SCIF
FedRAMPFederal Risk and Authorization Management Program: The Government-wide program for authorizing cloud services. DFARS 252.204-7012 requires cloud providers that handle covered defense information to meet security requirements equivalent to the FedRAMP Moderate baseline.; Learn more about the FedRAMP MarketplaceSee also: CDI
FFPFirm-fixed-price contract: A contract whose price is not adjusted for the contractor’s actual costs, placing maximum risk and full responsibility for costs on the contractor (FAR 16.202).; See also: IDIQ
FPDSFederal Procurement Data System: The Government’s system of record for contract award data reported by agencies. USAspending.gov republishes it alongside financial data.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: USAspending, PSC
FSOFacility security officer: The cleared employee a contractor appoints to supervise and direct the security measures its facility clearance requires (32 CFR Part 117).; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: FCL, NISPOM

G

GSA ScheduleGSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS): Long-term, Government-wide IDIQ contracts with pre-negotiated prices for commercial products and services, ordered under FAR Subpart 8.4.; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: BPA, CTA
GWACGovernment-wide acquisition contract: A task- or delivery-order contract for information technology that one agency establishes for Government-wide use under OMB designation (FAR 2.101), such as GSA’s Alliant and 8(a) STARS or NASA SEWP.; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: IDIQ, MAC

H

HUBZoneHistorically Underutilized Business Zone program: SBA’s program for small businesses with their principal office in a HUBZone and at least 35% of their employees living in one. Certified firms can compete for HUBZone set-asides and receive a price evaluation preference in full and open competitions (13 CFR Part 126).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: Set-aside

I

IDIQIndefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract: A contract for an indefinite quantity of supplies or services, within a stated minimum and maximum, over a fixed period; the Government places task or delivery orders as needs arise (FAR 16.504).; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: Task order, Fair opportunity, GWAC, MAC
Incumbent: The contractor currently performing a requirement that is coming up for recompetition.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Recompete
Industry day: A Government-hosted event to share information about an upcoming requirement and hear from potential offerors, part of market research and exchanges with industry (FAR 15.201).; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: RFI, Market research
ITARInternational Traffic in Arms Regulations: State Department rules (22 CFR Parts 120 to 130) that control the export and temporary import of defense articles and defense services on the U.S. Munitions List, administered by DDTC.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: DDTC, USML, EAR

J

JCPJoint Certification Program: The U.S.-Canada program that certifies contractors, through DD Form 2345, to receive unclassified export-controlled military technical data, often a condition for accessing controlled solicitation documents.; Learn more about CUI and Zero-CUI practicesSee also: ITAR, CUI
JVJoint venture: An association of two or more businesses that combine resources to perform a contract. On set-asides, SBA rules (13 CFR 121.103(h) and 125.8) set size, agreement and work-share requirements.; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: Teaming agreement, MPP, Ostensible subcontractor rule

K

Key personnel: Positions a solicitation designates as essential to performance, usually requiring resumes, letters of commitment and Government approval before substitution.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Section L

L

LoSLimitations on Subcontracting: The rule in FAR 52.219-14 and 13 CFR 125.6 that limits how much of the amount paid on a set-aside contract a small prime may pay to subcontractors that are not similarly situated: 50% for services and supplies, 85% for general construction and 75% for special trade construction, with the cost of materials excluded where the rule says so.; Learn more about Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14)See also: Similarly situated entity, Workshare, Set-aside
LPTALowest price technically acceptable: A source selection process that awards to the lowest-priced proposal meeting the acceptability standards for non-cost factors, without tradeoffs (FAR 15.101-2).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Tradeoff process, Best value

M

MACMulti-agency contract: A task- or delivery-order contract that one agency establishes for use by other agencies under the Economy Act (FAR 2.101). In industry usage MAC also often means multiple-award contract: an IDIQ, such as GSA’s OASIS+, awarded to several companies that compete for orders.; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: GWAC, IDIQ
Market research: Collecting and analyzing information about the market’s ability to meet an agency’s needs (FAR Part 10). Sources sought notices, RFIs and industry days are common tools.; Learn more about capability statementsSee also: Sources sought, RFI, Rule of two
Micro-purchase threshold: The dollar level up to which purchases can generally be made without soliciting competitive quotations, often with a Government purchase card. FAR 2.101 states the current amount and its exceptions.; See also: SAT
MPPSBA Mentor-Protégé Program: SBA’s program (13 CFR 125.9) that pairs a small business protégé with a mentor for business development help. An approved mentor-protégé joint venture can compete as small for any contract for which the protégé qualifies as small.; Learn more about the SBA Mentor-Protégé ProgramSee also: JV, 8(a)

N

NAICSNorth American Industry Classification System: The code system that classifies businesses by industry. The contracting officer assigns one NAICS code to each solicitation, and that code’s SBA size standard decides who is small for the contract.; Learn more about NAICS size standardsSee also: Size standard, PSC
NDANon-disclosure agreement: A contract in which parties agree to protect each other’s proprietary information. An NDA does not authorize sharing CUI or export-controlled technical data, which follow their own rules.; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: Teaming agreement, CUI
NISPOMNational Industrial Security Program Operating Manual: The rule, codified at 32 CFR Part 117, that sets the requirements cleared contractors follow to protect classified information.; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: FCL, DCSA, FSO
NIST SP 800-171Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations: The NIST publication whose security requirements DFARS 252.204-7012 requires on covered contractor information systems. CMMC Level 2 assesses the 110 requirements of Revision 2.; Learn more about NIST SP 800-171 SPRS scoringSee also: SPRS, CMMC, SSP
Nonmanufacturer rule: On small business set-asides for supplies, a firm that is not the manufacturer must generally supply the product of a small business manufacturer, unless a waiver or exception applies (13 CFR 121.406).; Learn more about Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14)See also: LoS
Nontraditional defense contractor: An entity that has not performed, for at least the one-year period before DoD solicits sources, any DoD contract or subcontract subject to full Cost Accounting Standards coverage (10 U.S.C. 3014). Their participation is one path to a prototype Other Transaction.; Learn more about Other Transaction agreements (OTAs)See also: OTA

O

OCIOrganizational conflict of interest: A situation in which a contractor’s other activities or relationships make it unable, or potentially unable, to give the Government impartial advice, impair its objectivity, or give it an unfair competitive advantage (FAR Subpart 9.5).; See also: Procurement integrity
Option: A unilateral right in a contract for the Government to buy additional supplies or services or to extend the term (FAR Subpart 17.2). Option exercises are points where new requirements, such as CMMC, can apply.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Bridge contract, Recompete
Ostensible subcontractor rule: SBA’s rule that treats a prime and its subcontractor as joint venturers, and therefore affiliated for size, when the subcontractor performs the primary and vital requirements of a contract or the prime is unusually reliant on it (13 CFR 121.103(h)).; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: Affiliation, LoS
OTAOther Transaction authority: Statutory authority (for DoD, 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 4022) to enter into agreements for research and prototype projects that are not procurement contracts and generally fall outside the FAR. Prototype agreements can lead to follow-on production.; Learn more about Other Transaction agreements (OTAs)See also: CSO, Nontraditional defense contractor

P

Past performance: An evaluation of how well an offeror performed on recent, relevant contracts, used to predict how it will perform (FAR 15.305(a)(2)). Offerors without a relevant record receive a neutral rating.; Learn more about past performanceSee also: CPARS, PPQ
POA&MPlan of action and milestones: A document listing security requirements not yet met and how and when they will be met. Under CMMC only certain requirements may be on a POA&M, and it must be closed out within 180 days of a Conditional status (32 CFR 170.21).; Learn more about Final vs. Conditional CMMC statusSee also: Conditional CMMC status, SSP
PPQPast performance questionnaire: A form a solicitation may ask offerors to send to their references, who complete it and return it directly to the contracting officer.; Learn more about past performanceSee also: Past performance, CPARS
Prime contractor: The company that holds the contract with the Government. It remains fully responsible for performance, including work its subcontractors perform (FAR 9.604).; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: Teaming agreement
Procurement integrity: Rules (41 U.S.C. chapter 21 and FAR 3.104) that prohibit obtaining or disclosing contractor bid or proposal information and source selection information before award, among other restrictions.; Learn more about using AI responsibly in captureSee also: OCI
PSCProduct and Service Code: A four-character code describing what the Government bought on each contract action, used alongside NAICS to find comparable awards in FPDS and USAspending.gov.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: NAICS, FPDS
PWSPerformance work statement: A statement of work that describes required results in clear, measurable terms rather than how to do the work, used in performance-based acquisition (FAR Subpart 37.6).; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: SOW, SOO, QASP

Q

QASPQuality assurance surveillance plan: The Government’s plan for monitoring the contractor’s performance against the standards in a performance work statement (FAR 37.604).; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: PWS

R

Recompete: A new competition for work an incumbent is already performing under a contract that is ending.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Incumbent, Bridge contract
RFIRequest for information: A market research notice agencies use to gather industry input when they are not ready to solicit offers. Responses are not offers and cannot be accepted to form a contract (FAR 15.201(e)).; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: Sources sought, Industry day, RFP
RFPRequest for proposals: A solicitation used in negotiated acquisitions under FAR Part 15, typically organized in the uniform contract format with Sections A through M.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Section L, Section M, Uniform contract format
RFQRequest for quotation: A solicitation for quotations, used in simplified acquisitions and for many orders, such as GSA Schedule orders. A quotation is not an offer the Government can accept to form a binding contract (FAR 13.004).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: RFP
Rule of two: The FAR requirement to set an acquisition aside for small businesses when the contracting officer reasonably expects offers from at least two responsible small businesses and award at fair market prices (FAR Part 19).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: Set-aside, Market research

S

SAMSystem for Award Management: The Government’s entity registration system at SAM.gov, where entities get a UEI and make representations and certifications, and where exclusions are recorded. Registrations must be renewed every year.; Learn more about SAM.gov registration and the UEISee also: UEI, CAGE code, Exclusion
SATSimplified acquisition threshold: The dollar level up to which agencies may use simplified acquisition procedures (FAR Part 13). FAR 2.101 states the current amount, and many rules, such as when set-asides and past performance evaluations apply, depend on it.; See also: Micro-purchase threshold, Rule of two
SBIR/STTRSmall Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer: Federal programs that fund research and development by small businesses in phases; STTR requires a partnership with a research institution. Phase III awards that derive from earlier SBIR or STTR work can be made without further competition.; Learn more about SBIR/STTR Phase IIISee also: OTA, BAA
SCIFSensitive compartmented information facility: An accredited area where sensitive compartmented information (SCI) can be processed and stored. A facility clearance by itself does not include SCI access or a SCIF.; Learn more about facility clearances (FCL)See also: FCL
SDBSmall disadvantaged business: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. SDB is a status agencies count toward goals, not a set-aside program; 8(a) participants are SDBs.; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: 8(a)
SDVOSBService-disabled veteran-owned small business: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. SBA certification is required for SDVOSB set-asides and sole-source awards (13 CFR Part 128).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: VOSB, Set-aside
Section LInstructions, conditions, and notices to offerors: The part of a uniform-format solicitation that tells offerors how to organize and submit proposals: volumes, page limits, formatting and required content (FAR 15.204-1).; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: Section M, Uniform contract format
Section MEvaluation factors for award: The part of a uniform-format solicitation that states the evaluation factors and significant subfactors, their relative importance and the basis for award (FAR 15.204-1 and 15.304).; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: Section L, Best value
Set-aside: An acquisition, part of an acquisition or an order reserved for small businesses or for a socioeconomic program such as 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB (FAR Part 19).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: Rule of two, LoS
SF 1449Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Products and Commercial Services: The standard form for acquisitions of commercial products and services. Its instructions and evaluation terms come from FAR 52.212-1 and 52.212-2 rather than Sections L and M.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Section L, Section M
Similarly situated entity: A first-tier subcontractor that has the same small business program status as the prime and is small under the NAICS code assigned to its subcontract (13 CFR 125.1). Its work counts as the prime’s for Limitations on Subcontracting.; Learn more about similarly situated entitiesSee also: LoS
Size protest: A challenge to an apparent awardee’s small business size, decided by SBA under 13 CFR 121.1001 to 121.1009. Protests must be filed within short deadlines.; Learn more about NAICS size standardsSee also: Size standard
Size standard: SBA’s maximum size, measured in average annual receipts or average number of employees, for a business to be small under a given NAICS code (13 CFR 121.201).; Learn more about NAICS size standardsSee also: NAICS, Affiliation, Size protest
SOOStatement of objectives: A short Government statement of an acquisition’s basic objectives; offerors propose their own performance work statement in response (FAR 37.602).; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: PWS, SOW
Sources sought: A market research notice asking capable companies to describe their capabilities, often used to decide whether to set a requirement aside.; Learn more about capability statementsSee also: RFI, Market research, Capability statement
SOWStatement of work: The description of the work a contractor must perform, usually in Section C. A performance work statement is a performance-based kind of SOW.; Learn more about building a compliance matrixSee also: PWS, SOO
SPRSSupplier Performance Risk System: DoD’s system where contractors post NIST SP 800-171 assessment results and CMMC status and affirmations. Contracting officers and primes check it before award.; Learn more about NIST SP 800-171 SPRS scoringSee also: NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, Blind SPRS bracket
SSPSystem security plan: The document that describes a system’s boundary, environment and how each security requirement is implemented. NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC assessments start from it.; Learn more about NIST SP 800-171 SPRS scoringSee also: NIST SP 800-171, POA&M
Subcontracting plan: A plan, required from other-than-small offerors on contracts above the FAR threshold that offer subcontracting possibilities, that sets goals for subcontracting with small businesses (FAR 19.704 and 52.219-9).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: Set-aside

T

Task order: An order for services placed against an existing contract (FAR 2.101); a delivery order is the equivalent for supplies.; Learn more about contract vehicles (GWACs and IDIQs)See also: IDIQ, Fair opportunity
Teaming agreement: A contract between companies that agree to pursue an opportunity together, usually with one as prime and the others as its subcontractors after award (FAR Subpart 9.6).; Learn more about teaming agreements and joint venturesSee also: CTA, JV, NDA
Tradeoff process: A source selection approach that lets the Government award to other than the lowest-priced or highest technically rated offeror when the added benefits are worth the price (FAR 15.101-1).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: LPTA, Best value

U

UEIUnique Entity ID: The 12-character alphanumeric identifier SAM.gov assigns to every registered entity. It replaced the DUNS number as the Government-wide entity identifier in April 2022.; Learn more about SAM.gov registration and the UEISee also: SAM, CAGE code
Uniform contract format: The standard Section A through M structure for solicitations and contracts under FAR Part 15 (FAR 15.204-1).; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Section L, Section M, RFP
USAspendingUSAspending.gov: The official source of federal spending data, including contract awards and reported subawards, useful for researching incumbents, partners and expiring contracts.; Learn more about positioning for recompetesSee also: FPDS
USMLUnited States Munitions List: The ITAR list of defense articles and defense services, in 22 CFR Part 121.; Learn more about ITAR and EAR export controlsSee also: ITAR, DDTC

V

VOSBVeteran-owned small business: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more veterans. VOSB set-asides are used by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and SBA certifies VOSBs and SDVOSBs (13 CFR Part 128).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: SDVOSB

W

Win theme: A short, evidence-backed message that ties a customer priority to a benefit of your solution, repeated through the proposal.; Learn more about the proposal development processSee also: Capture management
Workshare: The portion of a contract’s work and revenue each team member performs, committed in the teaming agreement and measured for Limitations on Subcontracting.; Learn more about Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14)See also: LoS, Teaming agreement
WOSBWomen-owned small business: A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. Certified WOSBs can compete for WOSB set-asides in eligible NAICS codes (13 CFR Part 127).; Learn more about small business set-asidesSee also: EDWOSB, Set-aside

Not legal advice. TeamingIndex guides are general information to help you plan, not legal advice. Regulations, clauses and program rules change and solicitations can tailor them: always work from the current regulation and the clauses in your solicitation, and confirm decisions with your contracting officer or counsel.