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Federal glossary · Process

Economy Act

The Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) allows one federal agency to order goods/services from another. Used for interagency agreements. The servicing agency must have capability, and the ordering agency must determine it cannot fulfill the need itself.

Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.

Type
Process
Defined by
Federal Acquisition Regulation
Last reviewed
Jul 2, 2026

Reference record · Sources: Federal Acquisition Regulation · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source

Home/Glossary/Economy Act
Process

Economy Act

Also known as

EconomyAct

Definition

The Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) allows one federal agency to order goods/services from another. Used for interagency agreements. The servicing agency must have capability, and the ordering agency must determine it cannot fulfill the need itself.

Why does Economy Act matter?

is a process concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings

Where this matters in federal contracting

Economy Act is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. For example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice. Knowing where Economy Act fits in the larger acquisition arc — from market research through award through performance — helps contractors time their engagement, identify the right contracting officials, and avoid showing up too late to influence the requirement. Many proposal failures trace back to misunderstanding when Economy Act occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow Economy Act, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.

Example

Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.

Meaning in practice

Economy Act is a step in a government workflow or procurement lifecycle.

Where you’ll see it

You will see it in NOFOs, solicitations, evaluation sections, award letters, and procedural instructions. Example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice..

Common confusion

People often confuse the document that describes the process with the process itself.

What to do next

Identify the deadline, owner, and artifacts the process produces before you move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Economy Act in government contracting?▾
The Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535) allows one federal agency to order goods/services from another. Used for interagency agreements. The servicing agency must have capability, and the ordering agency must determine it cannot fulfill the need itself.
Can you give an example of Economy Act?▾
Yes. Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.
Why is Economy Act important for government contractors?▾
Economy Act is a procurement process or procedure. Understanding the federal acquisition process helps contractors submit compliant proposals and navigate the contracting lifecycle.
Where will I see Economy Act?▾
You will see it in NOFOs, solicitations, evaluation sections, award letters, and procedural instructions. Example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice..
What is Economy Act commonly confused with?▾
People often confuse the document that describes the process with the process itself.
What should I do next when I see Economy Act?▾
Identify the deadline, owner, and artifacts the process produces before you move forward.

Related terms

FAR — Federal Acquisition Regulation
bg-red-500/20 text-red-300 border-red-500/30
RFP — Request for Proposal
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
SOW — Statement of Work
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
RFI — Request for Information
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
RFQ — Request for Quotation
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
IFB — Invitation for Bid
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
PWS — Performance Work Statement
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30
SOO — Statement of Objectives
bg-teal-500/20 text-teal-300 border-teal-500/30

Related entities

Government contracting guide
Guide

Related questions

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Source trail

Economy Act page
Canonical glossary term page last reviewed 2026-07-02.
Glossary
Federal Acquisition Regulation
Official source trail.
Source

More process terms

RFIRFQIFBPWSSOOSBIRGrantProtestCUIBAAOTAContracting Officer
Source: Federal Acquisition Regulation·Last updated 2026-07-02 by Bureauify·Category: Process

What to ask next

  • What is FAR — Federal Acquisition Regulation?
  • What is RFP — Request for Proposal?
  • What is SOW — Statement of Work?
  • What is RFI — Request for Information?
  • What is RFQ — Request for Quotation?
  • What is IFB — Invitation for Bid?

What can I do?

FollowSave

Route: Orientation path

  1. 1.Discover — you are here
  2. 2.Decide — follow to monitor
  3. 3.Act — follow to monitor

Follow Economy Act

Get notified when usage of Economy Act changes in contracts or guidance.

Follow Economy Act →Search Economy Act in records

Find Economy Act-related opportunities

Search active federal contracts and solicitations related to Economy Act on Bureauify.

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  • All Industries

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  • 8(a)
  • SDVOSB
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