Federal glossary · Process
The Nonmanufacturer Rule (FAR 19.505) allows a small business that does not manufacture a product to supply it under a small business set-aside if: the product is manufactured by a small business, the small business provides the end item of a small business manufacturer, and there are no more than 500 employees. SBA can waive this rule when no small business manufacturers exist.
Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.
Reference record · Sources: Federal Acquisition Regulation · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Also known as
The Nonmanufacturer Rule (FAR 19.505) allows a small business that does not manufacture a product to supply it under a small business set-aside if: the product is manufactured by a small business, the small business provides the end item of a small business manufacturer, and there are no more than 500 employees. SBA can waive this rule when no small business manufacturers exist.
is a process concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
Nonmanufacturer Rule is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. For example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice. Knowing where Nonmanufacturer Rule 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 Nonmanufacturer Rule occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow Nonmanufacturer Rule, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.
Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.
Meaning in practice
Nonmanufacturer Rule 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.
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