Overview
FAR 5.404 establishes the policies and procedures for government agencies to voluntarily share unclassified, long-range acquisition forecasts with the public. This process is designed to assist industry in strategic planning and to help the government identify additional sources of supply by providing early visibility into future requirements.
Key Rules
- Release Authority: The agency head or a designee may authorize the release of estimates if it facilitates industry planning, prevents market hoarding/monopolies, and does not disclose national mobilization strategies.
- Mandatory Disclaimers: Every release must explicitly state that the estimate is based on the best available information, is non-binding on the government, and that no further details will be provided until a formal synopsis or solicitation is issued.
- Simultaneous Disclosure: To ensure fairness, information must be publicized as widely as possible and to all interested parties at the same time.
- Required Content: Releases must include the Contracting Officer’s contact information, item descriptions, estimated quantities, and the expected timeframe for the acquisition (e.g., fiscal year or quarter).
- Internal Coordination: Before release, the information must be coordinated with small business, public information, and public relations personnel to ensure compliance with socio-economic and communication policies.
- Updates: Any modifications to an original estimate must be publicized as soon as possible using the same distribution methods as the initial release.
Practical Implications
- Strategic Planning: Contractors can use these long-range estimates to align their internal resources, R&D budgets, and supply chain partnerships long before a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) is released.
- Market Research & Competition: Agencies use these releases as a proactive market research tool to stimulate interest and increase competition, particularly by notifying small businesses of potential set-aside opportunities early in the acquisition lifecycle.