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What Is a Recompete?

Definition: A recompete is a new competition for work an agency already buys, usually held as the current contract's base and option periods run out. "Recompete" is common usage, not a FAR-defined term. The agency plans the new buy, does market research again, and may change the scope, contract type, or set-aside decision.

Término en español: recompetencia de contrato (recompete). Resumen: es una nueva licitación para un trabajo que la agencia ya compra, normalmente cuando termina el contrato vigente. El contratista actual se llama contratista titular (incumbente). La agencia vuelve a hacer estudios de mercado y puede cambiar el alcance o la reserva para pequeñas empresas.

Key facts - "Recompete" is not defined in the FAR. The rules behind it are acquisition planning (FAR Part 7), market research (FAR Part 10), and options (FAR Subpart 17.2). - Unless agency procedures approve otherwise, the base and option periods of a services contract generally may not exceed 5 years in total (FAR 17.204(e)); some contract types and statutes differ. - The Option to Extend Services clause lets the government extend services more than once, but for no more than 6 months in total (FAR 52.217-8). - Award data with period-of-performance dates is public on USAspending.gov, and many agencies publish procurement forecasts. - The FAR is being rewritten (the "Revolutionary FAR Overhaul"). Section numbers above are from the current FAR; check the FAR overhaul page.

How does a contract reach recompete?

1. Base period. Many service contracts start with a one-year base period.
2. Option periods. The agency may exercise options, often one year at a time.
3. End of the period of performance. When the last option runs out, the agency needs a new contract to keep the service going.
4. Extension or bridge, if needed. If the new contract is not ready, the agency may use a bridge contract. GAO defines a bridge contract as an extension of the existing contract beyond its period of performance (for example, under FAR 52.217-8, up to 6 months total) or a new, short-term sole-source contract to the incumbent, used to avoid a lapse in service (GAO-16-15). The FAR does not formally define the term.
5. New acquisition. The agency plans the buy, does market research (often a sources sought notice), and issues a solicitation.

How is a recompete different from a new requirement?

A new requirement is work the agency has not bought before. A recompete is work already being performed, so there is an incumbent (the current contractor), a history of performance, and often public award data showing the past contract's dates and scope. The agency can still change the work: combine contracts, split them, change the NAICS code, or change the set-aside.

What is an incumbent contractor?

The incumbent is the company performing the current contract. It knows the site and the customer, which can be an advantage. But a recompete is a fresh competition: every offeror, including the incumbent, is evaluated on the new solicitation's factors. Challengers compete on their own approach, staffing, price, and past performance, not by criticizing the incumbent.

Can a recompete become a small business set-aside?

Yes, or the reverse. Because the agency does market research again, the rule of two applies fresh. If enough capable small businesses respond to market research, the recompete may be set aside for small businesses even if the last contract was not. If too few respond, a past set-aside may open to full and open competition. That is why sources sought responses matter on recompetes.

How do you find upcoming recompetes early?

• USAspending.gov: search awards by agency, NAICS code, or place of performance, and look at the period-of-performance end dates.
• Agency procurement forecasts: many agencies list planned buys, including follow-on contracts.
• SAM.gov notices: sources sought and presolicitation notices often appear months before a solicitation. Save searches by NAICS code.
• Your own tracker: list contracts in your trade and area with their end dates. F2M Consulting LLC, Alexandria, VA keeps its own recompete tracker of period-of-performance end dates as part of its business development.

For trade businesses

Janitorial, grounds maintenance, snow removal, and facility contracts come up for recompete regularly, often every few years. A small landscaping or janitorial firm can prepare as a prime on a small business set-aside, or offer itself as a subcontractor to the incumbent or to a challenger. Either way, start a year or more ahead: build your capability statement, document similar jobs, and watch for the sources sought notice.

For agencies and prime contractors

A recompete is a transition risk. Agencies plan for continuity of service, transition-in and transition-out periods, and the handoff of records and staff. Primes planning a pursuit should line up teaming partners and past performance early, before the solicitation narrows the window.

Common mistakes

• Waiting for the solicitation instead of watching end dates and sources sought notices.
• Assuming the new contract will have the same scope or set-aside as the old one.
• Ignoring the incumbent's workforce and site knowledge when planning staffing.
• Disparaging the incumbent instead of explaining your own approach.

How F2M helps

F2M Consulting LLC, Alexandria, VA provides contract management and bid strategy for trade businesses in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia: landscaping, janitorial, construction, transportation, and restoration. We help owners get bid-ready, read solicitations, organize registrations and compliance documents (OSHA, licensing), and plan subcontracting with prime contractors, with your crew doing the work. English or Spanish. F2M also supports agencies and primes with contract transition and recompete readiness through program management, and helps trade firms track end dates and prepare to compete or team on recompetes in their trade.

Request a briefing · Program management for federal and state agencies · Contract management and bid strategy for trade businesses

FAQ

What is a recompete in government contracting?

A recompete is a new competition for work an agency already buys, usually held as the current contract's base and option periods run out. It is common usage, not a FAR-defined term. The agency does market research again and may change the scope or set-aside.

What is an incumbent contractor?

The incumbent is the company performing the current contract. It knows the site and the customer, but in a recompete every offeror, including the incumbent, is evaluated against the new solicitation's factors.

How do I find contracts that are coming up for recompete?

Search USAspending.gov by agency, NAICS code, or location and check period-of-performance end dates. Also review agency procurement forecasts and save SAM.gov searches for sources sought and presolicitation notices in your NAICS codes.

Can a recompete become a small business set-aside?

Yes. The agency does market research again, so the rule of two applies fresh. If enough capable small businesses respond, the recompete may be set aside for small businesses. If too few respond, it may open to full and open competition.

What is a bridge contract?

A bridge contract is a short-term way to keep services running when the follow-on contract isn't ready in time. It is either an extension of the current contract (for example, under the option-to-extend-services clause, FAR 52.217-8, up to 6 months total) or a new short-term sole-source contract to the incumbent. The FAR does not formally define the term; this definition comes from GAO.

Related terms

• Sources sought notice
• Small business set-aside
• Teaming agreement
• Past performance
• RFI vs RFQ vs RFP

Official sources

• FAR Part 7, Acquisition Planning: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-7
• FAR Part 10, Market Research: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-10
• FAR Subpart 17.2, Options: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/subpart-17.2
• FAR 17.204, Contracts (option period limits): https://www.acquisition.gov/far/17.204
• FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.217-8
• GAO-16-15, Sole Source Contracting: Defining and Tracking Bridge Contracts: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-16-15
• USAspending.gov: https://www.usaspending.gov
• Agency procurement forecasts: https://www.acquisition.gov/procurement-forecasts
• FAR Overhaul: https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul

Educational information only, from F2M Consulting LLC, Alexandria, VA, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source. Last reviewed: Oct 19, 2026 by Franklin F. Montano, PMP, CEO and Founder, F2M Consulting LLC, Alexandria, VA.

About the author: Franklin F. Montano, PMP, CEO and Founder, F2M Consulting LLC, Alexandria, VA. Retired Army Officer, Former Pentagon Senior Program Manager (DoD), and disabled veteran. Bilingual in English and Spanish.

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