FAR 5.207—Preparation and transmittal of synopses.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 5.207 explains how contracting officers prepare and transmit synopses to the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE), which is the public-facing notice system used to promote competition and transparency in federal procurement. This section covers the required synopsis data elements, the technical transmittal method through SAM.gov, the required content and level of detail for the description of supplies or services, special description rules for simplified acquisitions over $25,000 up to the simplified acquisition threshold, architect-engineer and other specialized projects, trade agreement notices, noncompetitive action notices, solicitation availability and electronic response information, technical data sourcing, set-aside identification, the use of classification codes for supplies and services, and optional notices of solicitation cancellation or indefinite suspension. In practice, the rule is meant to ensure that potential offerors receive enough information to decide whether to compete, while also preventing synopses from being written so narrowly that they restrict competition. It also standardizes how agencies communicate acquisition opportunities and special statutory or regulatory conditions, such as small business set-asides and trade agreement coverage. For contracting officers, this section is a drafting and posting checklist; for contractors, it is a roadmap to understand what information should appear in a synopsis and what it means for competition and eligibility.
Key Rules
Required synopsis data
Each synopsis sent to the GPE must include the listed data elements, as applicable, such as action code, dates, contracting office information, subject, solicitation number, response date, contact point, award information, description, place of performance, and set-aside status. The point is to make the notice complete enough for public identification and tracking of the action.
Use SAM.gov transmittal format
Synopses must be transmitted in accordance with the interface description available through SAM.gov. This means agencies must follow the current electronic formatting and submission requirements rather than using an ad hoc method.
Description must be clear and nonrestrictive
The description of supplies or services must be concise, understandable, and not unnecessarily restrictive of competition. It should help a prospective offeror decide whether to request the solicitation, not lock the requirement into an overly narrow or brand-biased presentation.
Include relevant description details
As appropriate, the description should identify items such as NSN, specifications and qualification requirements, manufacturer and part numbers, size or functional characteristics, predominant material, quantity and options, unit of issue, destination, delivery schedule, contract duration, and sustainable acquisition requirements. For certain actions, it must also include award procedure and anticipated award date or special project details.
Special rules for simplified acquisitions
For proposed contract actions estimated above $25,000 but not above the simplified acquisition threshold, the synopsis must describe the award procedure to be used and the anticipated award date. This gives vendors a practical sense of how the buy will be competed and when award may occur.
Architect-engineer and special project synopses
For architect-engineer projects and other actions where product or service codes do not adequately describe the work, the synopsis must provide brief details on location, scope, cost range and limitations, contract type, estimated start and completion dates, and significant evaluation factors. This ensures the public can understand the project even when standard codes are insufficient.
Trade agreement notices
If the solicitation will include certain Buy American or trade agreements clauses, the synopsis must include the prescribed notice about Free Trade Agreements or WTO GPA coverage. These notices alert vendors that trade agreement rules may affect the acquisition.
Noncompetitive action disclosure
For noncompetitive contract actions, including those at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, the synopsis must identify the intended source and state the reason for the lack of competition. This supports transparency and explains why the action is not open to full competition.
All responsible sources statement
Except when using the sole source authority at 6.302-1, the synopsis must state that all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation that will be considered. When using 6.302-1 sole source authority, the statement is modified to allow capability statements, proposals, or quotations from responsible sources.
How to obtain the solicitation
If the solicitation will not be made available through the GPE, the synopsis must explain how interested parties can obtain it. If electronic data interchange will be used, the synopsis must provide the information needed to access and respond electronically.
Technical data source identification
If technical data needed to respond will not be included with the solicitation, the synopsis must identify the Government source from which that data may be obtained. This prevents vendors from being unable to compete because they do not know where to get essential information.
Set-aside identification
When the acquisition is a total or partial small business set-aside, or a local area set-aside, the contracting officer must identify the set-aside type in both the synopsis and the solicitation. This is essential for vendor eligibility and market targeting.
Use approved classification codes
Contracting officers must use one of the classification codes identified in SAM.gov to describe services or supplies in synopses. Standardized codes improve searchability and consistency across public notices.
Cancellation notices are permitted
Contracting officers may publish notices of solicitation cancellations or indefinite suspensions of proposed contract actions in the GPE. This provides a formal way to inform the market that an opportunity is no longer active.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Prepare the synopsis with all applicable required data elements, ensure the description is clear and not unnecessarily restrictive, include any required trade agreement, noncompetitive, solicitation-access, technical-data, and set-aside notices, use the proper classification code, and transmit the synopsis through SAM.gov in the required format.
Agency
Maintain compliance with the GPE/SAM.gov interface requirements and ensure internal acquisition procedures support accurate, timely public synopses and any cancellation or suspension notices.
Prospective Offerors
Review the synopsis to determine whether to request the solicitation, assess eligibility based on set-aside or trade agreement notices, and submit bids, proposals, quotations, or capability statements as allowed by the notice.
Governmentwide Point of Entry / SAM.gov
Receive and display synopses and related notices in the prescribed electronic format so the public can access acquisition opportunities and related information.
Practical Implications
A synopsis is often the first public notice of a procurement, so errors in dates, contact information, set-aside status, or solicitation access can suppress competition or create confusion.
The description must be informative without being restrictive; overly specific brand language, missing qualification information, or incomplete delivery details can lead to protests or reduced vendor interest.
For simplified acquisitions over $25,000 up to the simplified acquisition threshold, vendors need the award method and anticipated award date, so omitting those details can make the notice less useful and less compliant.
Trade agreement notices matter because they signal whether foreign products or construction materials may be subject to special statutory treatment; forgetting the required notice can misstate the acquisition’s legal framework.
If the solicitation or technical data will not be posted in the GPE, the synopsis must clearly tell vendors where and how to get them; otherwise, the agency may unintentionally exclude capable sources from competing.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Content . Each synopsis transmitted to the GPE must address the following data elements, as applicable: (1) Action Code. (2) Date. (3) Year. (4) Contracting Office ZIP Code. (5) Product or Service Code. (6) Contracting Office Address. (7) Subject. (8) Proposed Solicitation Number. (9) Closing Response Date. (10) Contact Point or Contracting Officer. (11) Contract Award and Solicitation Number. (12) Contract Award Dollar Amount. (13) Line Item Number. (14) Contract Award Date. (15) Contractor. (16) Description. (17) Place of Contract Performance. (18) Set-aside Status. (b) Transmittal . Transmissions to the GPE must be in accordance with the interface description available via the Internet at https://www.sam.gov . (c) General format for "Description ." Prepare a clear and concise description of the supplies or services that is not unnecessarily restrictive of competition and will allow a prospective offeror to make an informed business judgment as to whether a copy of the solicitation should be requested including the following, as appropriate: (1) National Stock Number (NSN) if assigned. (2) Specification and whether an offeror, its product, or service must meet a qualification requirement in order to be eligible for award, and identification of the office from which additional information about the qualification requirement may be obtained (see subpart 9.2 ). (3) Manufacturer, including part number, drawing number, etc. (4) Size, dimensions, or other form, fit or functional description. (5) Predominant material of manufacture. (6) Quantity, including any options for additional quantities. (7) Unit of issue. (8) Destination information. (9) Delivery schedule. (10) Duration of the contract period. (11) Sustainable acquisition requirements, such as a description of high-performance sustainable building practices required, if for design, construction, renovation, repair, or deconstruction (see part 23 and 36.104 ). (12) For a proposed contract action in an amount estimated to be greater than $25,000 but not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, enter- (i) A description of the procedures to be used in awarding the contract ( e.g., request for oral or written quotation or solicitation); and (ii) The anticipated award date. (13) For Architect-Engineer projects and other projects for which the product or service codes are insufficient, provide brief details with respect to: location, scope of services required, cost range and limitations, type of contract, estimated starting and completion dates, and any significant evaluation factors. (14) (i) If the solicitation will include the FAR clause at 52.225-3 , Buy American-Free Trade Agreements-Israeli Trade Act, or an equivalent agency clause, insert the following notice in the synopsis: "One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to Free Trade Agreements." (ii) If the solicitation will include the FAR clause at 52.225-5 , Trade Agreements, or an equivalent agency clause, insert the following notice in the synopsis: "One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements." (iii) If the solicitation will include the FAR clause at 52.225-11 , Buy American-Construction Materials under Trade Agreements, 52.225-23 , Required Use of American Iron, Steel, and Manufactured Goods-Buy American Statute-Construction Materials under Trade Agreements, or an equivalent agency clause, insert the following notice in the synopsis: "One or more of the items under this acquisition is subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements." (15) In the case of noncompetitive contract actions (including those that do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold), identify the intended source and insert a statement of the reason justifying the lack of competition. (16) (i) Except when using the sole source authority at 6.302-1 , insert a statement that all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation which shall be considered by the agency. (ii) When using the sole source authority at 6.302-1 , insert a statement that all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. (17) If solicitations synopsized through the GPE will not be made available through the GPE, provide information on how to obtain the solicitation. (18) If the solicitation will be made available to interested parties through electronic data interchange, provide any information necessary to obtain and respond to the solicitation electronically. (19) If the technical data required to respond to the solicitation will not be furnished as part of such solicitation, identify the source in the Government, such as https://www.sam.gov , from which the technical data may be obtained. (d) Set-asides . When the proposed acquisition provides for a total or partial small business program set-aside, or when the proposed acquisition provides for a local area set-aside (see subpart 26.2 ), the contracting officer shall identify the type of set-aside in the synopsis and in the solicitation. (e) Codes to be used in Synopses to identify services or supplies . Contracting officers must use one of the classification codes identified at https://www.sam.gov to identify services or supplies in synopses. (f) Notice of solicitation cancellation . Contracting officers may publish notices of solicitation cancellations (or indefinite suspensions) of proposed contract actions in the GPE.