Conventional wisdom says that leveraging set-asides is a 4^th quarter game: anyone who relies on set-asides for contracting opportunities knows that they don’t really ramp up until the end of the fiscal year, when agencies start worrying about meeting annual set-aside goals. 2nd Quarter set-asides aren’t on most businesses’ radar.

But a slow quarter can be a gift. While other set-aside eligible businesses might sit back and relax for a few months, you’ll know better: There are over $2 billion in set-asides up for grabs from January through March.

To win those contracts, you need information. You need to know, before anyone else does, what kinds of contracts are opening up and where to target your efforts. By taking advantage of forecasts and market intelligence data, you can get a firsthand look at what set-aside contracts might offer recompete opportunities in the coming months.

In celebration of year-round set-aside leveraging, EZGovOpps analysts used their exclusive data set to offer a sneak peek at what FY 2017 2^nd quarter set-asides might be available.

Our method: How we forecast 2nd quarter set-asides

To forecast opportunities, EZGovOpps analysts used a simple, but effective method: recompetes. The EZGovOpps database allows subscribers to see data on all of the set-aside Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts ending in the 2^nd Quarter – many of these contracts will be back as recompetes, if they’re not already.

Our analysts used this database to find all set-aside IDIQs worth over $500,000 that are ending between January in March. Using those 281 contracts gave an idea of what set-aside contracting will look like in the next financial quarter.

Below, read some of the key takeaways regarding what Quarter 2 will look like for government contractors with set-aside status.

Forecast 1: Most contracting dollars will go to Small Business and 8(a) set-asides

Over half of all the contracts expiring next quarter are general Small Business set-asides. That’s great news if you’re a small business, but it also means the competition will be steeper.

The next largest piece of the pie belongs to 8(a) and 8(a) Sole Source contracts. These set-asides make up over a third of expiring contracts next quarter. If you’re eligible to compete for 8(a) contracts, keep an eye out for re-competes in the coming weeks.

Businesses looking for large set-asides in other categories – Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and businesses with Native American status especially – will have a harder time finding 2nd quarter set-asides. Those looking for HUBZone or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) are a little better off, but winning contracts will be a steeper climb.

For a more complete look at the distribution of 2nd quarter set-aside contracts, see the EZGovOpps chart below. If you want to make more charts like these to visualize opportunities, simply LiveChat one of our analysts to ask how, or sign up for a free EZGovOpps trial to visually forecast upcoming set-aside opportunities for your specific firm.

A look at upcoming 2nd quarter set-asides by category. To access more graphs like these, sign up for a free trial of EZGovOpps today.

Forecast 2: A glance at the 2^nd Quarter’s in-demand NAICS Codes

The NAICS codes with the most available set-aside contracts over $500,000 are:

• 115310 – Support Activities for Forestry
• 541611 – Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• 236220 – Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• 561210 – Facilities Support Services
• 562910 – Remediation Services

Take a look at the other top NAICS codes in the chart below:

The top NAICS codes that will be offered set-asides in the 2nd quarter.

Forecast 3: To find the most 2^nd Quarter set-asides, look to the Army

As one might expect, the most lucrative targets for contracting set-asides are Department of Defense agencies. Look to target the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the V.A. Also look to the Public Buildings Service, the National Institutes of Health, and the Forest Service for great set-aside opportunities. See the chart below for more info about which agencies are offering set-asides in the next fiscal quarter.

Agencies with the most forecast set-asides in the 2nd quarter include the Army, the Navy, and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

What’s the next step for 2^nd Quarter Set-asides?

Predicting upcoming opportunities is only the first step. Here are a few ways that EZGovOpps can help you not only find out what 2^nd Quarter set-aside contracts are available, but prepare your business to win them:

• Pull out the magnifying glass: see each expiring contract in detail, down to the task-order level. Know exactly who you’re competing against, what tasks were requested under the previous contract, and more.
• Leverage an easy-to-use “File Cabinet” system to save and track contracts, and set up alerts so that you’ll be the first to know when a new solicitation is released.
• Find potential teaming partners for upcoming set-aside competitions using our platform, then use the proprietary “Collaboration Center” to create schedules, milestones, monitor tasks, and collaborate with outside teaming partners during the proposal process.
• Leverage an enormous data set to find everything from forecasts, to previous task orders on similar projects, to associated documents and more. Search for opportunities that match your NAICS code and set-aside status, and set up alerts so you’ll know when agencies are looking for a business like yours.

The 2^nd Quarter may not have a reputation for being a set-aside goldmine, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great opportunities waiting to be grasped. Ask one of our analysts today how EZGovOpps can help your business find and win contracts next quarter.

By Libby Solomon

Don’t forget to view our full GovCon News section for more intel.