FBO (Federal Business Opportunities)

What is FBO (Federal Business Opportunities)?

Federal Business Opportunities (FBO), now superseded by SAM.gov, served as the central online portal where federal agencies posted procurement opportunities exceeding $25,000. It was a critical resource for government contractors seeking to identify and compete for federal contracts prior to the consolidation of government systems.

Definition

FBO, operating under the legal framework of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), was the designated location for federal agencies to advertise business opportunities to the contracting community. It facilitated transparency in government procurement by providing open access to solicitations, amendments, award notices, and other relevant information. For government contractors, FBO provided a centralized platform to search for potential contracts, review requirements, and submit proposals. It was replaced by SAM.gov as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate government systems and streamline the procurement process.

Key Points

• Single Point of Entry: FBO was the single point of entry for businesses to find federal contracting opportunities valued at over $25,000.
• Solicitation Posting: Federal agencies were required to post solicitations, including RFPs and RFQs, on FBO to ensure fair competition.
• Award Notices: FBO also published contract award notices, providing insights into successful bidders and contract details.
• Replaced by SAM.gov: FBO has been fully replaced by SAM.gov, and all new opportunities are now posted exclusively on that platform.

Practical Examples

1. Finding an RFP: Before its retirement, a small business wanting to bid on a Department of Defense IT contract would have visited FBO.gov to search for relevant Request for Proposals (RFPs). Today, they would use SAM.gov.
2. Responding to a Sources Sought Notice: A company interested in providing specialized engineering services to NASA would monitor FBO (now SAM.gov) for sources sought notices to gauge potential interest in their capabilities and influence future solicitations.
3. Tracking Contract Awards: A contractor tracking the competitive landscape would review FBO (now SAM.gov) award notices to identify who won similar contracts and at what price, informing their future bidding strategies.