REFERENCE DESK
Every term has a purpose.
107 explanations: what it means, why it matters, and what connects to it.
107 terms shown
7(a)
Section 7(a) loan program
- Plain English
- SBA-backed financing delivered through participating lenders.
- Why it matters
- May help finance an actual business need.
- Depends on
- Lender underwriting and applicable program requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Financing if approved; not a contracting certification.
Related: SBA · working capital
Procedure and official sources →8(a)
Section 8(a) Business Development Program
- Plain English
- An SBA business-development and contracting program with specific eligibility rules.
- Why it matters
- Approved participants may access qualifying contracting opportunities.
- Depends on
- Current eligibility evidence, application and SBA approval.
- Enables / limit
- Program participation; no automatic award or universal bid eligibility.
acceptance
Buyer confirmation that delivery meets requirements
- Plain English
- A distinct contract milestone after delivery and review.
- Why it matters
- Payment timing can depend on acceptance and a proper invoice.
- Depends on
- Conforming delivery and the specified acceptance process.
- Enables / limit
- Evidence supporting invoicing/payment under the contract.
affiliation
A relationship relevant to business size or eligibility
- Plain English
- Control relationships can cause related businesses to be considered together.
- Why it matters
- A company may need to count more than its own employees or revenue.
- Depends on
- Current applicable SBA rules and the actual control facts.
- Enables / limit
- A supported size analysis; shared ownership is not automatically irrelevant.
AI
Artificial Intelligence
- Plain English
- Software that generates, classifies or analyzes information using learned patterns.
- Why it matters
- Outputs still need evidence checks, especially for legal or business claims.
- Depends on
- A defined task, suitable data and human review.
- Enables / limit
- Research and drafting assistance, not official determinations.
all-in margin
Profit after delivery and all pursuit costs as a share of revenue
- Plain English
- Scoped revenue minus delivery, future pursuit and already-spent pursuit costs, divided by scoped revenue.
- Why it matters
- Contract size alone does not show what remains for the business.
- Depends on
- Consistent scope, complete costs and no double counting.
- Enables / limit
- Full-cycle performance review; sunk costs remain separate in the next spending decision.
Related: sunk cost · pursuit cost
Procedure and official sources →amendment
Change to a solicitation
- Plain English
- An official update to a request before award.
- Why it matters
- Can change scope, dates, forms or pricing assumptions.
- Depends on
- Monitoring the official notice and reading updates.
- Enables / limit
- A current response with required acknowledgments.
Related: solicitation · modification
Procedure and official sources →APEX
APEX Accelerators
- Plain English
- A network offering government-contracting assistance.
- Why it matters
- Can help review readiness, registration and bids.
- Depends on
- Find the current provider serving your business.
- Enables / limit
- Counseling; an advisor cannot grant an agency award.
ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Plain English
- The federal agency with relevant firearms licensing responsibilities.
- Why it matters
- Requirements differ by the regulated business activity.
- Depends on
- Clarify the activity and applicable rules.
- Enables / limit
- Authoritative licensing guidance; vendor registration is separate.
BPA
Blanket Purchase Agreement
- Plain English
- A purchasing arrangement used to simplify recurring needs.
- Why it matters
- It does not mean every estimated purchase is guaranteed.
- Depends on
- The applicable establishment and ordering procedures.
- Enables / limit
- Purchases under those rules; obligations depend on the arrangement.
Related: IDIQ · task order
Procedure and official sources →break-even probability
The win probability needed to cover future pursuit
- Plain English
- Future pursuit cost divided by positive delivery profit.
- Why it matters
- A result above 100 percent cannot recover future pursuit under the assumptions.
- Depends on
- Positive delivery profit and a complete remaining pursuit estimate.
- Enables / limit
- A benchmark for testing an assumed chance of winning.
Related: expected value · pursuit cost
Procedure and official sources →CAGE
Commercial and Government Entity
- Plain English
- A code used to identify entities and locations in government business.
- Why it matters
- It helps reconcile the contractor's identity.
- Depends on
- Applicable CAGE processing and accurate entity information.
- Enables / limit
- Entity identification; not a small-business certification.
capability statement
Short evidence-based business introduction
- Plain English
- A concise description of offerings, differentiators and experience.
- Why it matters
- Helps buyers understand relevant fit quickly.
- Depends on
- Specific services and supportable credentials.
- Enables / limit
- A marketing and research aid, not a proposal or certificate.
Related: past performance · NAICS
Procedure and official sources →CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
- Plain English
- The codified federal agency regulations.
- Why it matters
- A program's detailed legal criteria may be found here.
- Depends on
- Current text, effective dates and applicability.
- Enables / limit
- A regulatory reference for the specific question.
CIVCAST
CIVCAST procurement platform
- Plain English
- A platform used by some buyers for bid documents and responses.
- Why it matters
- The notice may direct you to a different system than the usual vendor portal.
- Depends on
- The actual notice's access and submission instructions.
- Enables / limit
- Access or submission where specified.
Related: solicitation · amendment
Procedure and official sources →clause
Contract term
- Plain English
- A term assigning rights, requirements or responsibilities.
- Why it matters
- It can change what you must do and what it costs.
- Depends on
- The actual incorporated clause and applicable version.
- Enables / limit
- Binding obligations when part of the contract.
CLIN
Contract Line Item Number
- Plain English
- A numbered line for an item or service in the contract.
- Why it matters
- Pricing, funding and invoicing may be tied to these lines.
- Depends on
- Correct quantities, units and line instructions.
- Enables / limit
- A reconciled price and invoice structure.
Related: PWS · acceptance
Procedure and official sources →CMBL
Centralized Master Bidders List
- Plain English
- Texas's vendor listing and notification system.
- Why it matters
- Can help a vendor become visible to Texas buyers.
- Depends on
- Registration details, chosen categories and current fee requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Listing and notifications; not required for every Texas sale.
CMMC
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
- Plain English
- The Defense Department program assessing specified cybersecurity requirements.
- Why it matters
- The applicable requirement can affect contract eligibility and performance.
- Depends on
- Current DoD rules, the solicitation and supporting assessment evidence.
- Enables / limit
- Evidence at the required level; it is not inferred from offering IT services.
CO
Contracting Officer
- Plain English
- The government official with delegated contracting authority.
- Why it matters
- Authority to bind or change the contract is not shared by every agency contact.
- Depends on
- Actual delegated authority and applicable procedures.
- Enables / limit
- Authorized contractual decisions and modifications.
Related: COR · modification
Procedure and official sources →compliance matrix
Requirement-to-response checklist
- Plain English
- A table mapping each instruction to an answer, evidence and owner.
- Why it matters
- Makes omissions visible before submission.
- Depends on
- The complete solicitation and amendments.
- Enables / limit
- A reviewable response; the checklist is not an official approval.
Related: solicitation · PWS
Procedure and official sources →COR
Contracting Officer's Representative
- Plain English
- A person assigned specified contract monitoring duties.
- Why it matters
- Technical feedback is not automatically a binding change.
- Depends on
- A written designation describing their authority.
- Enables / limit
- Monitoring within that authority; refer changes to the CO.
Related: CO · acceptance
Procedure and official sources →CUI
Controlled Unclassified Information
- Plain English
- Unclassified information subject to specified safeguarding or dissemination controls.
- Why it matters
- Ordinary business software may not be suitable for it.
- Depends on
- Correct identification and applicable handling requirements.
- Enables / limit
- A compliant workflow only when actual controls meet requirements.
DBA
Doing Business As
- Plain English
- An assumed or trade name used by a business.
- Why it matters
- A brand name may not be a separate legal entity.
- Depends on
- Applicable name registration and the underlying entity relationship.
- Enables / limit
- Use of the name where permitted; credentials remain with the entity.
deviation
Authorized departure from a standard acquisition rule
- Plain English
- An agency's approved alternative to a standard provision or clause.
- Why it matters
- The base FAR text alone may not reflect this solicitation.
- Depends on
- The applicable agency authority and actual solicitation text.
- Enables / limit
- The rule or clause actually governing that procurement.
DIR
Department of Information Resources
- Plain English
- The Texas agency with technology purchasing programs.
- Why it matters
- Some Texas technology buyers use DIR contracts.
- Depends on
- The applicable solicitation or authorized selling relationship.
- Enables / limit
- A specific state technology sales route.
DOL
Department of Labor
- Plain English
- The federal agency administering labor programs and laws.
- Why it matters
- Covered contracts can require specific wages and benefits.
- Depends on
- Actual contract coverage, clauses and applicable determinations.
- Enables / limit
- An accurate labor-compliance and pricing plan.
Related: FAR · working capital
Procedure and official sources →DSBS
Dynamic Small Business Search
- Plain English
- The older name used for SBA's small-business profile/search resource.
- Why it matters
- Older guides may use this name when discussing buyer visibility.
- Depends on
- Follow the current SBA Small Business Search route.
- Enables / limit
- A discoverable capability profile; not a substitute for SAM or certification.
EDWOSB
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
- Plain English
- The WOSB program category with additional economic-disadvantage criteria.
- Why it matters
- Some opportunities require this narrower eligibility.
- Depends on
- WOSB requirements plus current financial criteria and certification.
- Enables / limit
- Access to the applicable competitions.
EFT
Electronic Funds Transfer
- Plain English
- Electronic payment to the designated account.
- Why it matters
- Correct secure payment details matter for payment setup.
- Depends on
- Authorized banking setup through the official process.
- Enables / limit
- Payment routing, not invoice approval.
Related: acceptance · SAM
Procedure and official sources →EIN
Employer Identification Number
- Plain English
- An IRS-issued business tax identifier.
- Why it matters
- Used in tax and business onboarding processes.
- Depends on
- An appropriate IRS application by the authorized party.
- Enables / limit
- Tax identification, not government contracting approval.
eOffer
GSA electronic offer system
- Plain English
- The system used to submit applicable GSA Schedule offers.
- Why it matters
- An offer must follow the current system and document requirements.
- Depends on
- Authorized access and a complete applicable offer package.
- Enables / limit
- Submission for review; it does not establish an award.
ESBD
Electronic State Business Daily
- Plain English
- Texas's public procurement notice system.
- Why it matters
- A starting point for finding state solicitations.
- Depends on
- A search aligned with your offering.
- Enables / limit
- Discovery; the notice determines where the response goes.
Related: CMBL · solicitation
Procedure and official sources →EXIM
Export-Import Bank of the United States
- Plain English
- A federal export-credit agency.
- Why it matters
- Its resource page is cited here as an official supporting contact source.
- Depends on
- Use the agency relevant to the actual business need.
- Enables / limit
- Export-related resources; it does not activate SAM.
expected value
Probability-weighted planning value
- Plain English
- For this decision model, win probability times delivery profit minus future pursuit costs.
- Why it matters
- It includes the cost of losing; it is not the predicted result of a single bid.
- Depends on
- A defensible scope, cost model and explicitly assumed win probability.
- Enables / limit
- A comparison of prospective economics across assumptions.
Related: pursuit cost · sunk cost · break-even probability
Procedure and official sources →FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- Plain English
- A guidance page answering common questions.
- Why it matters
- Can clarify a process, but dates and conflicts with controlling rules matter.
- Depends on
- A current official source and the right program context.
- Enables / limit
- Practical clarification, not a substitute for applicable law.
FAR
Federal Acquisition Regulation
- Plain English
- The main government-wide federal acquisition rule framework.
- Why it matters
- Applicable provisions and clauses affect bidding and performance.
- Depends on
- Determine coverage, clause version and agency deviations.
- Enables / limit
- The relevant procedural and contract requirements.
FAS
Federal Acquisition Service
- Plain English
- GSA's acquisition organization.
- Why it matters
- Appears in catalog and account-system names.
- Depends on
- The particular system's access and business requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Access to the relevant GSA workflow.
FASt Lane
GSA's FASt Lane offer-processing initiative
- Plain English
- A GSA initiative with particular eligibility and sponsorship requirements.
- Why it matters
- Do not assume every startup qualifies for expedited treatment.
- Depends on
- Current program rules and the required agency sponsorship where applicable.
- Enables / limit
- The applicable processing route, not guaranteed award timing.
FCI
Federal Contract Information
- Plain English
- Certain nonpublic information provided or generated under a federal contract.
- Why it matters
- Handling it can trigger safeguarding duties.
- Depends on
- Assessment of the information and actual contract clauses.
- Enables / limit
- An appropriate protection plan; not automatic CUI approval.
FCP
FAS Catalog Platform
- Plain English
- GSA's catalog-management platform.
- Why it matters
- Approved contract offerings must be represented accurately.
- Depends on
- Awarded contract data and applicable publication instructions.
- Enables / limit
- Catalog management; listing does not ensure orders.
FFLC
Federal Firearms Licensing Center
- Plain English
- ATF's licensing office.
- Why it matters
- The appropriate contact for relevant licensing questions.
- Depends on
- Specific business-activity and application questions.
- Enables / limit
- Licensing assistance; this platform does not establish a license.
flowdown
Requirement passed to a subcontract
- Plain English
- A prime contract requirement that must or may be included downstream.
- Why it matters
- Missing applicable terms can create compliance gaps.
- Depends on
- Review of the prime clause and subcontract scope.
- Enables / limit
- A subcontract reflecting applicable obligations.
Related: clause · subcontractor
Procedure and official sources →FSD
Federal Service Desk
- Plain English
- The support channel for SAM-related issues.
- Why it matters
- Use it to resolve specific registration or access problems.
- Depends on
- The actual error and case details, never shared passwords.
- Enables / limit
- Support and correction instructions; not instant activation.
GSA
General Services Administration
- Plain English
- The agency providing shared acquisition, property and technology services.
- Why it matters
- Its buying vehicles are one way agencies purchase commercial offerings.
- Depends on
- The particular vehicle's offer and award requirements.
- Enables / limit
- An awarded vehicle can create an ordering route for buyers.
HUB
Historically Underutilized Business
- Plain English
- A label used in some state and local programs.
- Why it matters
- Meaning and eligibility vary by jurisdiction and date.
- Depends on
- The current local or state program's actual rules.
- Enables / limit
- Only that program's benefits if approved.
HUBZone
Historically Underutilized Business Zone
- Plain English
- A federal small-business program with location, employee and ownership rules.
- Why it matters
- Certification can matter for certain federal competitions.
- Depends on
- Current SBA criteria and official certification.
- Enables / limit
- Access to qualifying program opportunities.
IDIQ
Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity
- Plain English
- A contract structure allowing orders within specified terms and limits.
- Why it matters
- The vehicle ceiling is not promised revenue.
- Depends on
- An awarded vehicle and compliance with its ordering rules.
- Enables / limit
- Eligible orders within scope; review any actual minimum guarantee.
Related: BPA · task order
Procedure and official sources →IFB
Invitation for Bids
- Plain English
- A solicitation generally associated with sealed bidding.
- Why it matters
- Responsiveness and the specified bid procedure matter.
- Depends on
- The required bid, price and submission conditions.
- Enables / limit
- A bid under the stated rules, not an assurance of selection.
Related: RFP · solicitation
Procedure and official sources →IFF
Industrial Funding Fee
- Plain English
- A fee supporting the GSA Schedule program.
- Why it matters
- Must be included in the contract's pricing and reporting plan.
- Depends on
- The actual contract's fee basis and reporting requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Compliance with an awarded Schedule's fee obligations.
IP
Intellectual Property
- Plain English
- Rights in creations such as software, designs and written material.
- Why it matters
- Contract data-rights terms can affect reuse and delivery.
- Depends on
- Review of actual rights, licenses and contract terms.
- Enables / limit
- A clear allocation of use and ownership rights.
IPTV
Internet Protocol Television
- Plain English
- Video distribution using Internet Protocol networking.
- Why it matters
- An example of an audiovisual offering that needs precise scope.
- Depends on
- Defined site needs, design and delivery capability.
- Enables / limit
- A specific deliverable, not a certification category.
IRS
Internal Revenue Service
- Plain English
- The federal tax administration agency.
- Why it matters
- Tax identity must be consistent with registration records.
- Depends on
- Correct authorized taxpayer information.
- Enables / limit
- Tax identification and administration; not procurement approval.
IT
Information Technology
- Plain English
- Computing systems, software, networks and related services.
- Why it matters
- A broad label must be narrowed into an actual sellable deliverable.
- Depends on
- Specific scope, people and resources.
- Enables / limit
- A defined offering buyers can assess.
joint venture
Businesses joining for a defined undertaking
- Plain English
- An arrangement with specific agreements and responsibilities.
- Why it matters
- Government program rules may impose special eligibility and workshare conditions.
- Depends on
- The actual agreement and applicable SBA/procurement rules.
- Enables / limit
- Joint pursuit or performance within those rules.
Related: affiliation · prime contractor
Procedure and official sources →legal entity
The legally recognized business or organization
- Plain English
- The actual party that owns records and enters contracts.
- Why it matters
- A brand, owner and related company may be different parties.
- Depends on
- Correct formation and entity-relationship records.
- Enables / limit
- Attribution of registrations, obligations and experience.
LLC
Limited Liability Company
- Plain English
- A business legal structure established under state law.
- Why it matters
- Legal identity and ownership records affect registrations.
- Depends on
- Applicable state formation requirements.
- Enables / limit
- An entity once accepted; not universal contracting eligibility.
loaded rate
An hourly cost including applicable burdens
- Plain English
- Labor cost with the payroll burden and overhead included in the chosen rate.
- Why it matters
- Using salary alone may understate effort cost; adding included costs again overstates it.
- Depends on
- A documented definition of the rate and consistent cost categories.
- Enables / limit
- An estimate of the economic cost of staff or owner time.
Related: pursuit cost · all-in margin
Procedure and official sources →MAC
Multiple-Award Contract
- Plain English
- A vehicle awarded to multiple contractors.
- Why it matters
- Order competitions may be restricted to vehicle holders.
- Depends on
- An awarded position or other expressly permitted route.
- Enables / limit
- Eligibility to pursue orders under the vehicle's rules.
Related: IDIQ · task order
Procedure and official sources →MAS
Multiple Award Schedule
- Plain English
- GSA's contracting program for commercial products and services with awarded prices and terms.
- Why it matters
- Some buyers use it as their purchasing route.
- Depends on
- Suitable SINs, current offer requirements, review and award.
- Enables / limit
- Competition for appropriate orders; sales are not guaranteed.
MFA
Multi-Factor Authentication
- Plain English
- Sign-in using more than one type of authentication factor.
- Why it matters
- Helps protect accounts controlling business registrations.
- Depends on
- Owner-controlled accounts and recovery arrangements.
- Enables / limit
- Stronger access protection; do not share credentials.
modification
Change to an existing contract
- Plain English
- An authorized contractual change.
- Why it matters
- An informal request may not authorize extra paid work.
- Depends on
- The correct authority and required execution.
- Enables / limit
- Changed obligations as stated in the modification.
NAICS
North American Industry Classification System
- Plain English
- Industry codes used to classify business activity.
- Why it matters
- A solicitation's assigned NAICS connects to its small-business size standard.
- Depends on
- Accurate activity classification and review of the notice.
- Enables / limit
- Size analysis for that procurement; a code alone proves no qualification.
NCAGE
NATO Commercial and Government Entity
- Plain English
- The entity code used through the NATO codification system, including applicable non-U.S. registration processes.
- Why it matters
- Non-U.S. entities may have a different registration sequence.
- Depends on
- Current instructions for the entity and country.
- Enables / limit
- Entity identification for the applicable process.
NCSC
National Customer Service Center
- Plain English
- GSA's customer-service contact center.
- Why it matters
- Can route a focused question to the appropriate acquisition resource.
- Depends on
- A clear question about your offer or purchasing route.
- Enables / limit
- Assistance and referrals, not guaranteed approval.
NIGP
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing commodity code
- Plain English
- A commodity classification used by many state and local buyers.
- Why it matters
- Matching codes can affect which notices you receive.
- Depends on
- An accurate description of what you sell.
- Enables / limit
- Relevant vendor categories and notifications; not an award.
OSBP
Office of Small Business Programs
- Plain English
- An agency small-business assistance office.
- Why it matters
- Can help explain the agency's small-business purchasing pathways.
- Depends on
- A defined offering and buyer-research questions.
- Enables / limit
- Market-access guidance; solicitation questions use the prescribed channel.
OSDBU
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
- Plain English
- An agency office helping small businesses understand contracting access.
- Why it matters
- A useful early contact for forecasts and agency buying practices.
- Depends on
- A clear capability description and focused questions.
- Enables / limit
- Guidance and connections; no promised awards.
past performance
Evidence of how prior work was performed
- Plain English
- Relevant records of results, quality and delivery.
- Why it matters
- Evaluators may assess it under the notice's criteria.
- Depends on
- Truthful, attributable project evidence.
- Enables / limit
- Support for an evaluation; do not claim another entity's work as yours.
Related: capability statement · prime contractor
Procedure and official sources →PO
Purchase Order
- Plain English
- An order documenting a purchase under its terms.
- Why it matters
- An informal expression of interest is not the same as an authorized order.
- Depends on
- The applicable purchasing and acceptance process.
- Enables / limit
- Authorized work according to the actual order.
prime contractor
Direct government contractor
- Plain English
- The business holding the contract with the government.
- Why it matters
- It owns the direct contractual responsibility.
- Depends on
- A valid award and delivery capability.
- Enables / limit
- Direct performance and responsibility for relevant subcontract obligations.
Related: subcontractor · flowdown
Procedure and official sources →provision
Solicitation instruction or condition
- Plain English
- A rule governing the offer process.
- Why it matters
- Can require information before an offer is considered.
- Depends on
- The actual solicitation and applicable version.
- Enables / limit
- A compliant offer when satisfied; not itself an award.
PSC
Product and Service Code
- Plain English
- A federal code describing the type of purchase.
- Why it matters
- Helps find comparable purchases and notices.
- Depends on
- Understanding the actual product or service.
- Enables / limit
- More focused federal market research.
pursuit cost
The cost of trying to win work
- Plain English
- Proposal time, reviews, travel and other effort spent before an award.
- Why it matters
- A profitable delivery can become unattractive after the cost of winning it.
- Depends on
- A scoped bid plan, loaded rates and outside cost estimates.
- Enables / limit
- A pursuit budget and a better bid decision.
Related: sunk cost · loaded rate · expected value
Procedure and official sources →PWS
Performance Work Statement
- Plain English
- A statement describing required performance and outcomes.
- Why it matters
- Defines what successful delivery must achieve.
- Depends on
- The current solicitation and related performance standards.
- Enables / limit
- A delivery plan tied to measurable obligations.
representations
Statements of business facts in an offer or registration
- Plain English
- Assertions made by the business for an official process.
- Why it matters
- An authorized person must ensure they are accurate.
- Depends on
- Verified business facts and review of the exact questions.
- Enables / limit
- A truthful submission, not an automatic eligibility decision.
RFI
Request for Information
- Plain English
- A buyer's request for market information, often before a solicitation.
- Why it matters
- A useful way to show capabilities and inform requirements.
- Depends on
- An accurate answer to the actual questions.
- Enables / limit
- Market-research input, usually not a contract offer.
Related: sources sought · RFP
Procedure and official sources →RFO
Request for Offer
- Plain English
- A solicitation label used by some buying programs.
- Why it matters
- The label alone does not explain all procedural requirements.
- Depends on
- Read the actual instructions and evaluation criteria.
- Enables / limit
- An offer evaluated through the specified process.
Related: DIR · solicitation
Procedure and official sources →RFP
Request for Proposal
- Plain English
- A solicitation seeking proposals evaluated under stated factors.
- Why it matters
- Good writing cannot replace compliance with those factors.
- Depends on
- Eligibility, a response to requirements and timely submission.
- Enables / limit
- An evaluated proposal; award remains a separate event.
Related: RFQ · compliance matrix
Procedure and official sources →RFQ
Request for Quotation
- Plain English
- A request for pricing and other information under its stated buying procedure.
- Why it matters
- The instructions govern how and when to respond.
- Depends on
- Relevant eligibility, scope, pricing and a compliant quotation.
- Enables / limit
- A quotation for buyer consideration; contract formation depends on the procedure.
SAePS
San Antonio eProcurement System
- Plain English
- San Antonio's electronic procurement system.
- Why it matters
- City vendor access and response procedures are separate from federal registration.
- Depends on
- Current city registration and bid-access requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Access to the city's specified procurement workflow.
SAM
System for Award Management
- Plain English
- The federal system for entity registration and contract notices.
- Why it matters
- An ordinary federal prime bid can depend on active registration.
- Depends on
- Correct entity information and completed validation.
- Enables / limit
- Federal registration evidence; it does not confer certification or an award.
SBA
Small Business Administration
- Plain English
- The federal agency supporting small businesses through counseling, lending programs and contracting programs.
- Why it matters
- Its programs can affect financing and access to certain competitions.
- Depends on
- Each program has separate requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Assistance or approved program participation, not automatic contracts.
SBDC
Small Business Development Center
- Plain English
- A business advising resource supported through the SBA network.
- Why it matters
- Useful for planning, finance and operating readiness.
- Depends on
- Connect with the center serving your area.
- Enables / limit
- Business counseling alongside procurement preparation.
Related: APEX · working capital
Procedure and official sources →scope
Boundaries of required work
- Plain English
- What is included, excluded and required in a contract.
- Why it matters
- Drives price, schedule and whether an extra request is a change.
- Depends on
- The actual contract documents and authorized updates.
- Enables / limit
- A bounded delivery commitment.
Related: SOW · modification
Procedure and official sources →SDVOSB
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
- Plain English
- A federal program category requiring qualifying ownership and control.
- Why it matters
- A solicitation may require approved program status.
- Depends on
- Current SBA VetCert rules and official approval.
- Enables / limit
- Access to qualifying opportunities; state approval is separate.
set-aside
Competition reserved for qualifying businesses
- Plain English
- A procurement limited to a defined eligible group.
- Why it matters
- Ineligible businesses cannot cure that gap with a strong score or low price.
- Depends on
- The exact size, certification and other applicable requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Competition within that defined group.
SIN
Special Item Number
- Plain English
- A GSA Schedule category describing the products or services offered.
- Why it matters
- The correct category determines offer and ordering scope.
- Depends on
- Match between actual offering and current SIN requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Evaluation within the applicable Schedule category.
sole-source
An award process without ordinary competitive bidding
- Plain English
- A procurement route permitted only under specified authority and conditions.
- Why it matters
- Certification does not create a right to a sole-source award.
- Depends on
- The actual legal authority and agency award requirements.
- Enables / limit
- A possible award route when all conditions are met.
solicitation
The buyer's request for a response
- Plain English
- The official package explaining the need and response rules.
- Why it matters
- It is the starting point for a compliant bid.
- Depends on
- Current documents, attachments and amendments.
- Enables / limit
- A response built to this buyer's actual requirements.
Related: amendment · compliance matrix
Procedure and official sources →sources sought
Market-research notice
- Plain English
- A notice asking who can perform possible future work.
- Why it matters
- Helps the buyer understand capability and possible competition.
- Depends on
- Relevant, supportable capability evidence.
- Enables / limit
- Research response; it is not itself an award.
SOW
Statement of Work
- Plain English
- A description of the work to be performed.
- Why it matters
- Prevents pricing or promising the wrong scope.
- Depends on
- The complete current contract or solicitation package.
- Enables / limit
- A basis for staffing, pricing and delivery.
SPRS
Supplier Performance Risk System
- Plain English
- A DoD system used for supplier performance and risk information.
- Why it matters
- Relevant assessment records may be required by a solicitation.
- Depends on
- Actual applicable assessment and reporting requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Recorded information; a score must not be invented.
subcontractor
Supplier or performer to another contractor
- Plain English
- A business contracted by the prime or another subcontractor.
- Why it matters
- Its payment and obligations come from that relationship.
- Depends on
- An agreement and the applicable requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Work for the contracting party, not a direct government award.
Related: prime contractor · flowdown
Procedure and official sources →sunk cost
A cost already incurred
- Plain English
- Money or effort already spent that the next decision cannot recover.
- Why it matters
- It belongs in full-cycle results but must not distort the next spending decision.
- Depends on
- A separation of incurred costs from future avoidable costs.
- Enables / limit
- A forward-looking continue or stop decision.
Related: pursuit cost · expected value
Procedure and official sources →task order
Order for services under a contract
- Plain English
- An order specifying work under an existing vehicle.
- Why it matters
- Vehicle access and order scope can limit who may compete.
- Depends on
- The correct vehicle relationship and order requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Specific work when properly awarded and funded.
TDR
Transactional Data Reporting
- Plain English
- GSA reporting of transaction-level sales data.
- Why it matters
- Awarded reporting requirements affect ongoing workload.
- Depends on
- The applicable MAS clauses and modifications.
- Enables / limit
- Required reporting; not a substitute for payment of applicable fees.
TXMAS
Texas Multiple Award Schedule
- Plain English
- A Texas purchasing route using qualifying underlying contracts.
- Why it matters
- May provide another route after an eligible contract exists.
- Depends on
- Current Texas requirements and a qualifying awarded contract.
- Enables / limit
- A Texas vehicle if accepted; no automatic extension of federal status.
UEI
Unique Entity ID
- Plain English
- The identifier assigned to an entity in SAM.
- Why it matters
- Keeps government records tied to the right business.
- Depends on
- Entity identification and validation in SAM.
- Enables / limit
- Identification only; full registration may still be pending.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator
- Plain English
- The address of a web resource.
- Why it matters
- Source addresses let you return to the official notice and verify changes.
- Depends on
- The authentic current source.
- Enables / limit
- Traceable research and review.
Related: solicitation · amendment
Procedure and official sources →UTSA
University of Texas at San Antonio
- Plain English
- The university referenced in older local assistance resources.
- Why it matters
- Older provider links may have changed or stopped working.
- Depends on
- Confirm the current assistance provider before relying on a link.
- Enables / limit
- A historical/local reference; use the live APEX locator.
VetHUB
Veteran Historically Underutilized Business
- Plain English
- The current Texas certification program described in the playbook.
- Why it matters
- It is distinct from federal HUBZone and VetCert.
- Depends on
- Current Texas eligibility evidence and approval.
- Enables / limit
- The applicable Texas program benefits.
VOSB
Veteran-Owned Small Business
- Plain English
- A veteran-owned program category whose benefits depend on the procurement.
- Why it matters
- Veteran ownership alone does not prove program certification.
- Depends on
- Applicable ownership/control rules and certification.
- Enables / limit
- Benefits within the specific program's scope.
VSC
Vendor Support Center
- Plain English
- GSA's support resource for its contracting vendors.
- Why it matters
- Helps locate current post-award operating guidance.
- Depends on
- The applicable contract and current guidance.
- Enables / limit
- Catalog, reporting and administration support.
wage determination
Applicable wage and benefit schedule
- Plain English
- A government determination used for covered work.
- Why it matters
- It can materially change labor cost and compliance obligations.
- Depends on
- The covered contract, classification and current applicable determination.
- Enables / limit
- A supported labor price and payment plan.
Related: DOL · working capital
Procedure and official sources →working capital
Money available to operate before collection
- Plain English
- Funds supporting payroll, materials and other short-term needs.
- Why it matters
- You may pay costs well before the customer pays you.
- Depends on
- A cost model, cash forecast and actual financing capacity.
- Enables / limit
- A feasible delivery plan through acceptance and payment.
Related: 7(a) · acceptance
Procedure and official sources →WOSB
Women-Owned Small Business
- Plain English
- A federal contracting program for qualifying women-owned businesses.
- Why it matters
- Some competitions require this specific program status.
- Depends on
- Qualifying ownership/control and current certification requirements.
- Enables / limit
- Access to applicable set-aside competitions.