What is the rule of 2 in government contracting?
If two or more small businesses can compete at fair prices, the requirement should be set aside for small business.
The Rule of Two says that if a contracting officer reasonably expects at least two responsible small businesses can compete at fair market prices, the requirement should be set aside for small business. This is one of the most powerful protections for small contractors because it turns market research into real opportunities reserved for you, not just the largest primes.
Your job is to be visible during that research so the buyer can "see" at least two qualified small firms.
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