How long do I have to respond to a federal solicitation?
As of 12 November 2026: The due date is set in each solicitation. The FAR sets minimums: a notice at least 15 days before a solicitation is issued, at least 30 days to respond to solicitations expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (except commercial products or services), and at least 45 days for research and development above that threshold. For commercial products or services, and for actions over $25,000 up to the threshold, the contracting officer sets a response time that gives a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Updated , checked against the official sources below.
Steps
- Find the response date and time in the solicitation or combined synopsis/solicitation.
- Check amendments on SAM.gov, since they can change the due date.
- Confirm your SAM.gov registration will be active by the due date.
- Submit before the stated deadline using the method the notice specifies.
What do the official sources say?
| Source | What it says | Read |
|---|---|---|
| FAR 5.203(c) Publicizing and response time | "agencies shall allow at least a 30-day response time for receipt of bids or proposals from the date of issuance of a solicitation, if the proposed contract action is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold." | |
| FAR 5.203(e) Publicizing and response time | "Agencies must allow at least a 45-day response time for receipt of bids or proposals from the date of publication of the notice required in 5.201 for proposed contract actions categorized as research and development" | |
| FAR 5.203(b) Publicizing and response time | "The contracting officer must establish a solicitation response time that will afford potential offerors a reasonable opportunity to respond to each proposed contract action" |
Questions people also ask
- What is a presolicitation notice?
- A presolicitation notice is a notice on SAM.gov (the Governmentwide point of entry) that tells industry the Government intends to issue a solicitation. Under FAR 5.204 the contracting officer must synopsize a proposed contract action before issuing the solicitation, and FAR 5.203(a) requires the notice at least 15 days before the solicitation is issued, with shorter periods allowed for commercial products or services.
- What is a combined synopsis/solicitation?
- It is a single notice, used for commercial products or commercial services, that combines the synopsis and the solicitation in one document. The notice states that it is the only solicitation and that a separate written solicitation will not be issued, and no separate 15-day synopsis is needed.
- What are the simplified acquisition threshold and the micro-purchase threshold?
- Under FAR 2.101 the micro-purchase threshold is $15,000 and the simplified acquisition threshold is $350,000. Exceptions apply: the micro-purchase threshold is $2,000 for construction subject to Davis-Bacon wage rules and $2,500 for services subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards, and both thresholds are higher for contingency, emergency and similar purchases.
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This page restates official sources; it is not legal advice. Bid Watch US is run by Bikoosh, an independent tracker, not affiliated with SAM.gov or the US government.