What is sole source procurement?

Sole source means the government awards a contract to a single vendor without competing the work openly. It is the exception, not the rule — federal acquisition law starts from a presumption of full and open competition.

Sole-source awards are allowed in narrow situations: only one vendor can do the work, an urgent need leaves no time for competition, certain small-business set-asides (like SDVOSB and 8(a)) permit sole-source below dollar thresholds, or the contracting officer documents a justification. Each path requires written justification and review.