Full and Open Competition
Full and open competition is the default when no set-aside applies. These competitions are larger, more formal, and typically decided through a FAR Part 15 source selection with defined evaluation factors.
- Who can bid
- Any responsible source, regardless of size or status
- Authority
- FAR Part 6 and FAR Part 15
- Typical thresholds
- Standard approach above simplified acquisition thresholds when set-aside is not used
- Where to search
- SAM.gov set-aside filter
Key takeaways
- Set-asides shrink the field — your real competition is often three to eight firms, not fifty.
- Limitations on subcontracting apply: you must perform the required share of the work yourself.
- Eligibility is determined as of your initial offer including price, so certifications must be current at submission.
- Ineligible bids are protestable, and size or status protests are common in tight competitions.
How the set-aside works
Any responsible source may submit. Proposals are evaluated under either lowest price technically acceptable or a tradeoff process where non-price factors can justify a higher price. Section L governs instructions; Section M governs how you are scored.
Finding these opportunities
SAM.gov is the primary source, supplemented by agency forecasts and industry days. For large programs, draft RFPs and RFIs often precede the solicitation by months, and shaping happens there.
Competing and winning
Win by engineering the proposal against Section M rather than describing your company. Build a compliance matrix that maps every instruction to a response location, quantify past performance relevance on size, scope, and complexity, and price with a traceable basis of estimate.
FAQ
Do small businesses ever win full-and-open?
Yes, often as part of a team, and HUBZone firms carry a 10% price evaluation preference.
What is LPTA?
Lowest price technically acceptable — the lowest-priced proposal that meets minimum technical requirements wins.
How long are these procurements?
Commonly three to twelve months from solicitation to award for large programs.
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