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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23 of 172 terms matching "VA"
Department of Veterans Affairs
A major buyer of healthcare, construction, and IT, with strong veteran-owned set-aside programs.
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 Veterans Affairs
A major buyer of healthcare, construction, and IT, with strong veteran-owned set-aside programs.
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.
Best Value Tradeoff
An evaluation method where the government can pay more for a better technical solution, past performance, or lower risk.
When you see it
In Section M, where the relative importance of factors versus price is stated.
Do you need it
Read the relative-importance language carefully. It tells you where to invest your effort.
Where it comes from
FAR Subpart 15.1.
Related terms
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business
A WOSB whose owners also meet economic disadvantage criteria, eligible for a narrower set of set-asides.
When you see it
On EDWOSB-specific set-asides.
Do you need it
Only if you meet both the ownership and the economic criteria.
Where it comes from
SBA certification.
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.
Past Performance Information Retrieval System
The retrieval side of the performance data. It was where evaluators pulled CPARS ratings; it has been retired and folded into CPARS.gov.
When you see it
In older solicitations and templates that still reference it.
Do you need it
Nothing to do. Treat references to it as references to CPARS.
Where it comes from
Retired; functions absorbed into CPARS.
Related terms
Small Disadvantaged Business
A small business at least 51 percent owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
When you see it
In agency goaling and subcontracting plans.
Do you need it
It is a self-certified status unless you are in the 8(a) program.
Where it comes from
SBA.
8(a) Business Development Program
A nine-year SBA development program for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. Participants can receive sole source and set-aside awards.
When you see it
On set-aside solicitations and in sole source awards up to specific thresholds.
Do you need it
Only if you qualify. It is the most powerful certification if you use it with a plan.
Where it comes from
SBA certification.
Solicitation Amendment
An official change to a solicitation. It can change the due date, the requirements, the evaluation criteria, or anything else.
When you see it
Any time before proposals are due. Often several per solicitation.
Do you need it
You must acknowledge every amendment in your proposal. Failing to acknowledge one can make your proposal unawardable.
Where it comes from
Contracting officer, posted on SAM.gov as SF-30.
Basic Ordering Agreement
A written instrument of understanding that sets terms in advance for future orders, without committing the government to buy anything.
When you see it
In DoD supply and repair buying.
Do you need it
It can shorten the path to orders, but it is not a contract until an order is placed.
Where it comes from
FAR 16.703.
Cost Plus Award Fee
Cost reimbursement where part of the fee is earned based on subjective performance evaluations.
When you see it
On long-running service programs with award fee boards.
Do you need it
Requires strong performance reporting discipline.
Where it comes from
FAR 16.305.
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
Davis-Bacon Act
Prevailing wage requirements for federal construction contracts above a threshold.
When you see it
On construction and renovation work.
Do you need it
If you do federal construction, yes. Certified payrolls are required.
Where it comes from
Department of Labor, FAR Subpart 22.4.
Debriefing
The government's explanation of how your proposal was evaluated and why you did or did not win.
When you see it
After award notification, if you request it within the required window (usually three days).
Do you need it
Always request one, win or lose. It is the cheapest proposal training available and it preserves protest rights.
Where it comes from
FAR 15.505 and 15.506.
Related terms
Delivery Order
The supplies equivalent of a task order: an order for products under an existing IDIQ.
When you see it
On product buys under a vehicle.
Do you need it
Same as task orders. This is where the revenue is.
Where it comes from
FAR Subpart 16.5.
Related terms
Procurement Forecast
An agency's published list of anticipated contract actions for the coming year, including estimated value and set-aside intent.
When you see it
On agency OSDBU pages and in the government-wide forecast tool.
Do you need it
This is where capture starts. Forecast entries are 6 to 18 months ahead of the solicitation.
Where it comes from
Agency OSDBUs.
Related terms
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable
An evaluation method where every acceptable proposal is compared on price alone. Cheapest acceptable wins.
When you see it
In Section M of commodity-like solicitations.
Do you need it
Do not write a premium technical solution for an LPTA. Write to acceptable, then price to win.
Where it comes from
FAR Part 15.
Related terms
NATO Commercial and Government Entity Code
The CAGE code equivalent for entities located outside the United States.
When you see it
When a non-U.S. entity registers in SAM.gov or joins a team as a foreign sub.
Do you need it
Only if your entity is based outside the United States.
Where it comes from
NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA).
Organizational Conflict of Interest
A situation where your other work gives you an unfair competitive advantage or impairs your objectivity, such as writing requirements and then bidding on them.
When you see it
In solicitation representations and in mitigation plans required before award.
Do you need it
You must disclose potential OCIs and often submit a mitigation plan. An unmitigated OCI can disqualify you.
Where it comes from
FAR Subpart 9.5.
Past Performance
Evidence of how well you performed similar work before, usually evaluated on relevance, recency, and quality.
When you see it
As a scored evaluation factor in Section M of nearly every RFP.
Do you need it
New contractors can often use commercial or subcontract past performance. Neutral is not disqualifying by rule.
Where it comes from
FAR Subpart 15.305.
Request for Proposal
A solicitation asking for a full proposal, usually including a technical approach, management plan, past performance, and price. Award is typically based on best value, not just low price.
When you see it
On larger or more complex requirements posted on SAM.gov.
Do you need it
You respond to it. Read Sections L and M first: they tell you what to submit and how you will be scored.
Where it comes from
Issued by the contracting office under FAR Part 15 (negotiated procurement).
Service Contract Act
Requires contractors on covered service contracts to pay prevailing wages and fringe benefits set by Department of Labor wage determinations.
When you see it
On service contracts with a wage determination attached to the solicitation.
Do you need it
If it applies, you must price to the wage determination. Ignoring it is a common and expensive mistake.
Where it comes from
Department of Labor, implemented via FAR Subpart 22.10.
U.S. Navy
Navy and Marine Corps buying commands including NAVSEA, NAVAIR, and NAVFAC.
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.
Women-Owned Small Business
A federal contracting program for small businesses at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women, with a subset for economically disadvantaged owners (EDWOSB).
When you see it
On WOSB and EDWOSB set-asides in eligible NAICS codes.
Do you need it
Certification through SBA is required to receive set-aside awards under the program.
Where it comes from
SBA certification (or an approved third-party certifier).
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