{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Sources Sought Strategy: How Small Businesses Win Before the RFP","description":" Sources Sought notices are one of the most powerful \u2014 and most overlooked \u2014 tools in a small business government contractor's arsenal. In this episode, Eric Coffey breaks down exactly what sources sought, market research, and RFIs are, why they're critical to your govcon strategy, and how to use them to get your name in front of contracting officers before the competition even knows an opportunity exists. What you'll learn in this episode: \ud83d\udd0d What Sources Sought really is \u2014 and why the terms "market research," "RFI," and "sources sought" are often used interchangeably in the acquisition process \ud83d\udce3 How to use sources sought as a marketing tool \u2014 not just a form to fill out, but a direct channel to communicate with program managers and contracting officers before the RFP drops \ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f Where to find these opportunities \u2014 including the underutilized Acquisition Gateway platform that most contractors don't know about beyond SAM.gov \u26a0\ufe0f The qualification trap that kills your response \u2014 why submitting a non-qualified response can actually hurt your standing and what to do instead (teaming partners, past performance alignment) \ud83c\udff7\ufe0f How to trigger small business set-asides \u2014 the law requires agencies to go small business when qualified responses exist, and your response is what makes that happen Ready to stop going it alone? Join a community of entrepreneurs who are actively helping each other win federal contracts, navigate certifications, and build real businesses in the government space. EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 \u2014 Welcome to the Federal Help Center Podcast  0:27 \u2014 What Is Sources Sought and Why It Matters 0:57 \u2014 Sources Sought vs. RFI vs. Market Research  1:26 \u2014 Using Sources Sought as a Marketing Tool  1:56 \u2014 Why You Must Respond to Build Visibility  2:25 \u2014 Finding Opportunities: Industry Days and Beyond  2:54 \u2014 How to Use Acquisition Gateway to Find Market Research  3:52 \u2014 Why Your Response Must Be Qualified to Count  4:51 \u2014 Real Talk: When Responses Don't Qualify for Set-Asides  5:49 \u2014 Live Walk-Through of Acquisition Gateway Filters 6:47 \u2014 Reaching Out After Finding Market Research Notices 7:15 \u2014 Community CTA and Closing Keywords:    If you want to learn more about the community and to join the webinars go to: https:\/\/federalhelpcenter.com\/ Website: https:\/\/govcongiants.org\/ Connect with Encore Funding: http:\/\/govcongiants.org\/funding ","author_name":"Govcon Giants Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/govcongiants.com\/podcast\/","html":"