Glossary
Extent Competed
Extent Competed indicates the level of competition used to award a federal contract action.
Also known as
Definition
Extent Competed is a data element in federal procurement reporting that categorizes how a contract was competed, such as full and open competition, limited competition, or no competition. This field helps identify whether multiple vendors had the opportunity to compete for an award or if the contract was directed to a specific source. The classification is based on the solicitation process and any statutory or regulatory exceptions. It is a key indicator of competitive practices in federal contracting.
Why it matters
Understanding Extent Competed is essential for analyzing competition trends, compliance with competition requirements, and identifying opportunities for new market entrants. It helps agencies, vendors, and analysts assess the openness and fairness of federal procurement processes. This information is also used to monitor agency performance and support transparency initiatives.
How it appears in FPDS
In FPDS, Extent Competed appears as a coded field on contract action records, with values such as 'Full and Open Competition', 'Not Competed', or 'Not Available for Competition'. Analysts often filter or group data by this field to examine competition rates or to identify sole source awards.
Common misunderstanding
A common misunderstanding is assuming that 'Full and Open Competition' means all vendors had an equal chance, when in reality, certain requirements or set-asides may still limit the pool of eligible competitors. Another confusion is conflating Extent Competed with the method of solicitation.
Example
For a contract awarded after a public solicitation where any qualified vendor could submit a bid, the Extent Competed would be 'Full and Open Competition'. If a contract is awarded directly to a single vendor due to unique capabilities, it would be marked as 'Not Competed'.
Use in FPDS Query
Researchers use Extent Competed in FPDS queries to filter for competed versus non-competed awards, analyze agency competition rates, or identify trends in sole source contracting.
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Related terms
Updated: Mar 17, 2026