What a recompete is and how to track one
A recompete is a federal contract that is ending and will be competed again for a follow-on contract. For a small business, recompetes are the most predictable opportunities in government contracting. The work already exists, the budget is usually already there, and you can see the incumbent, the price and the end date in public data, often a year or more before the new solicitation is posted.
Our recompete tracker lists 2,137 small business set-aside contracts whose current period of performance ends between Apr 17, 2027 and Apr 17, 2028. That includes 877 small business, 390 SDVOSB, 340 WOSB/EDWOSB, 314 8(a) and 216 HUBZone contracts.
Why recompetes matter
- Time to prepare. You can start relationship-building and teaming 12 to 18 months out instead of scrambling in a 30-day proposal window.
- Known scope and price. Award data shows what the government has been paying.
- Known competition. You know who the incumbent is and can judge whether they are strong or vulnerable.
How to find recompetes yourself
- Go to USAspending.gov Award Search and choose Contracts.
- Filter by your NAICS codes, the awarding agency and, under "Type of Set Aside", the programs you qualify for.
- Add columns for the period of performance start and end dates and sort by end date.
- Open each award to see its history: modifications, options exercised, total obligated and the parent contract vehicle.
Or skip the spreadsheet work: our tracker does this weekly and lets you filter by industry, state, agency, end date and value. Every industry page, state page and agency page has its own "coming up for recompete" section.
Read the end date carefully
The end date in public data is usually the current period of performance end. Many contracts have unexercised option periods, and agencies often extend contracts while a follow-on is being prepared. So an end date is a signal, not a guarantee. Also check agency procurement forecasts. Many agencies list upcoming follow-ons with estimated solicitation dates.
How to prepare for a recompete
- Qualify it. Is the scope truly in your lane? Can you meet the size standard and certifications? Is the value realistic for your size?
- Research the incumbent. How long have they held it? Have they grown out of the size standard? (A firm that is no longer small cannot win a small business set-aside follow-on.) Do customer reviews or protests suggest problems?
- Talk to the agency. Contact the agency's small business office (OSDBU directory) and ask about the follow-on's timing and strategy. Attend industry days.
- Watch for the sources sought. Follow-ons often start with a sources sought notice. Respond (see our sources sought guide).
- Line up teammates. If the scope is broad, find partners early (see our teaming guide).
- Prepare price and past performance. Use the obligated amounts to sanity-check your pricing.
Who usually wins?
Incumbents have an advantage, but it is not a lock, especially when the incumbent has outgrown the size standard or the agency changes the set-aside type. For example, in Engineering Services (NAICS 541330) there were 606 new set-aside awards over the last 12 months, with a median award of $335,748. See the top winners on the industry page.
A simple recompete timeline
| Time before end date | What to do |
|---|---|
| 18 months | Spot it (USAspending, our tracker, forecasts). Decide whether it fits. |
| 12 months | Meet the small business office and, where allowed, the program office. Research the incumbent and pricing. Start teaming talks. |
| 6–9 months | Watch for sources sought, RFIs and draft solicitations, and respond. Firm up teaming agreements. |
| 3–6 months | Presolicitation or solicitation. Write the proposal. |
| After award | If you lose, request a debriefing where available. It is the best free feedback you will get. |
Real timelines vary a lot. Some follow-ons are extended for a year or more, and some are moved onto multiple-award vehicles where only holders can compete.
Signals a recompete is coming
- A sources sought or RFI that mentions the current contract number or incumbent.
- An entry in the agency's procurement forecast.
- A "bridge" or short extension modification on the current contract in USAspending.
- A special notice announcing an industry day.
Check whether the set-aside might change
A follow-on does not have to keep the same set-aside. If the incumbent won under an 8(a) sole-source and has since left the program, or several HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB firms tell the agency they can do the work, the strategy can change. Under the 2025 FAR overhaul text, a requirement is automatically released from the 8(a) program when the follow-on will be set aside for HUBZone, SDVOSB or WOSB firms (GSA RFO-2025-19 summary). That makes market research responses on follow-ons especially important.
Worked example: sizing up a real recompete
Here is one contract from our recompete tracker: Outpatient Escort Services, held by RG Talent Solutions, LLC for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is coded All Other Support Services (561990), was awarded under the Small Business set-aside program, has $6,692,213 obligated so far, and its current period of performance ends Sep 29, 2027. Here is how you would work it:
- Open the award on USAspending.gov. Look at the transaction history. Regular option exercises suggest the agency is happy and the contract may run its full term. Recent short extensions can mean a follow-on is being prepared.
- Check whether it is an order under a larger vehicle. If the award has a parent contract (an IDIQ or schedule), only holders of that vehicle may be able to compete next time. That changes your strategy to teaming with a holder.
- Check the incumbent. Look the firm up in the SBA Small Business Search and on SAM.gov. Has it grown, been acquired, or left the program it won under?
- Check the size standard for 561990 with SBA's size tool, and whether you qualify for the Small Business program or could team with someone who does.
- Search SAM.gov for the contract number or key words from the description to catch any sources sought, RFI or presolicitation for the follow-on.
- Decide. Is it worth 12 months of effort? If yes, put it on your pipeline with a target date for your first agency contact.
Common recompete mistakes
- Treating the end date as the solicitation date. Solicitations typically come months earlier, and extensions push things the other way. Use the end date to start watching, not to plan your proposal date.
- Assuming the incumbent always wins, or never wins. Both are wrong. Judge each case on the incumbent's status, performance signals and any change in strategy.
- Missing a move to another vehicle. Follow-ons are sometimes placed on GSA schedules, governmentwide contracts or agency BPAs. Watch the forecast and the market research notices.
- Waiting for the RFP. By then, the requirement and the set-aside decision are mostly fixed (see the rule of two).
- Not studying the current work. The current statement of work is often attached to the original solicitation if it was posted publicly. Some firms request the current contract through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Expect pricing and proprietary details to be withheld.
Recompete prep checklist
- Contract number, incumbent, value and current end date recorded.
- Parent vehicle (if any) identified, and whether you can compete on it.
- Size standard and set-aside eligibility confirmed.
- Agency forecast checked, and small business office contacted.
- Sources sought and RFI alerts set on SAM.gov for the agency and your NAICS codes, or watched on our sources sought page.
- Teaming gaps identified, and candidates shortlisted (see our teaming guide).
- Price research done on similar awards.
- Bid/no-bid decision date set.
When you have found a few good fits, keep the pipeline full: browse all 1,234 open notices, check what closes this week and watch the 2,137 contracts coming up for recompete.
Frequently asked questions
What is a recompete in government contracting?
A recompete is the new competition for a contract whose current term is ending. The incumbent contractor can usually compete again, alongside new bidders.
How far ahead should I track a recompete?
Ideally 12 to 18 months before the current period of performance ends. That leaves time to meet the customer, respond to market research and form teams.
Does the end date on USAspending mean the contract will be recompeted?
Not always. It is usually the current period of performance end. Options, extensions or a decision to cancel or bundle the work can change the timeline.