GovCon Acronym Decoder
Government contracting runs on shorthand. Search any acronym and get a plain-English definition, when you will run into it, whether you need one, and where it comes from.
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15 of 172 terms matching "REA"
Request for Equitable Adjustment
A request for additional time or money when the government causes a change to your cost or schedule.
When you see it
When constructive changes, delays, or differing conditions occur.
Do you need it
Document contemporaneously. REAs live and die on records you kept at the time.
Where it comes from
FAR changes clauses.
Request for Equitable Adjustment
A request for additional time or money when the government causes a change to your cost or schedule.
When you see it
When constructive changes, delays, or differing conditions occur.
Do you need it
Document contemporaneously. REAs live and die on records you kept at the time.
Where it comes from
FAR changes clauses.
Department of the Treasury
Includes IRS, the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, and the Mint.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Law enforcement and intelligence agency within DOJ.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
Wide Area Workflow
The DoD electronic invoicing and receiving system. It is now a module inside PIEE, but everyone still says WAWF.
When you see it
Every time you invoice a DoD contract.
Do you need it
Yes, if you have DoD work. Register in PIEE and get the right roles before your first invoice.
Where it comes from
Department of Defense, hosted in PIEE.
Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System
The government's official system for rating contractor performance. Your CPARS ratings follow you and are read by evaluators on future bids.
When you see it
Annually during performance and at contract completion.
Do you need it
You do not register for it; the government writes the evaluation. You get to comment, so read every rating and respond.
Where it comes from
Managed by the Naval Sea Logistics Center for the whole federal government.
Related terms
Department of the Interior
Includes NPS, BLM, USGS, and Bureau of Reclamation buying.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
Department of Justice
Includes FBI, DEA, ATF, and the Bureau of Prisons.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
General Services Administration
The government's central buying and real estate agency, and the home of the MAS program and SAM.gov.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program
An SBA certification for small businesses located in and employing residents of designated economically distressed areas.
When you see it
On HUBZone set-asides and in price evaluation preferences.
Do you need it
Only if your principal office and workforce meet the requirements.
Where it comes from
SBA certification.
Invoice Processing Platform
The Treasury-run electronic invoicing system used by many civilian agencies.
When you see it
On civilian agency contracts that do not use WAWF.
Do you need it
Yes if your contract specifies it. Register early.
Where it comes from
U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Internal Revenue Service
A large buyer of IT modernization and support services within Treasury.
When you see it
In solicitation headers, forecasts, and outreach events. Knowing which component inside the agency actually buys what you sell is the real work.
Do you need it
If this agency buys what you sell, start with their small business office. They publish forecasts, host outreach, and will take a capability briefing.
Where it comes from
Federal agency. Small business support runs through their OSDBU or equivalent office.
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
The office at each federal agency responsible for small business policy, outreach, and advocacy inside that agency.
When you see it
When you research how an agency buys and who to talk to. Most OSDBUs publish forecasts and host outreach events.
Do you need it
Start here at every target agency. Their pages are listed in the agency section of this decoder.
Where it comes from
Required by the Small Business Act at most federal agencies.
Rule of Two
If the contracting officer reasonably expects offers from at least two capable small businesses at fair market prices, the requirement must be set aside for small business.
When you see it
In set-aside decisions and in protests about them.
Do you need it
It is why responding to sources sought notices matters. Your response can help create the two.
Where it comes from
FAR 19.502-2.
Related terms
Simplified Acquisition Threshold
The dollar ceiling under which agencies can use streamlined purchasing procedures. Buys under it are generally reserved for small business.
When you see it
On small, fast-moving buys, often quoted rather than proposed.
Do you need it
Knowing it helps you target buys where competition is lighter and the paperwork is smaller.
Where it comes from
Set in FAR Part 2 and adjusted periodically for inflation.
Subline Item Number
A subdivision of a CLIN used to break out different funding sources, delivery dates, or components under the same line item.
When you see it
On contracts funded by multiple appropriations or with phased deliveries.
Do you need it
Invoice at the SLIN level when the contract requires it.
Where it comes from
FAR Subpart 4.10.
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