> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.civiccontracts.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Glossary

> Government contracting terms used in Civic AI — solicitations, set-asides, NAICS, PSC, UEI, and other GovCon vocabulary explained.

This page covers terms you will see in Civic AI search results and throughout government procurement. For a longer reference with 50+ definitions, see the full glossary on our blog.

## Core terms

| Term             | Definition                                                             |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Solicitation** | A formal request for offers — RFP, RFQ, IFB, or sources sought notice  |
| **Award**        | A contract or grant obligation issued to a selected vendor             |
| **Set-aside**    | Competition limited to eligible small or socioeconomic businesses      |
| **NAICS**        | North American Industry Classification System code describing industry |
| **PSC / FSC**    | Product and service codes describing what is being purchased           |
| **UEI**          | Unique Entity ID — replaces DUNS for SAM.gov entity identification     |
| **Incumbent**    | Current contract holder, often targeted on recompetes                  |
| **Recompete**    | New solicitation to replace an expiring contract                       |

## Solicitation types

| Type                | Meaning                                                                        |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **RFP**             | Request for Proposal — typically best-value, evaluated on factors beyond price |
| **RFQ**             | Request for Quote — often simpler buys or GSA schedule orders                  |
| **IFB / ITB**       | Invitation for Bid — usually lowest-price technically acceptable               |
| **Sources Sought**  | Market research; not always a binding bid request                              |
| **Presolicitation** | Advance notice before the formal solicitation drops                            |

## Contract vehicles

| Vehicle          | Meaning                                                          |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **IDIQ**         | Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity — ordered task by task |
| **BPA**          | Blanket Purchase Agreement — simplified repeat ordering          |
| **GWAC**         | Government-Wide Acquisition Contract — multi-agency IT vehicle   |
| **GSA Schedule** | Pre-negotiated catalog pricing (Multiple Award Schedule)         |

<Card title="Full government contracting glossary" icon="book" href="https://www.civiccontracts.com/blog/government-contracting-glossary">
  50+ GovCon terms with examples on the Civic AI blog.
</Card>

<Card title="Contract vehicles 101" icon="truck" href="https://www.civiccontracts.com/blog/contract-vehicles-101">
  GSA Schedule, GWAC, IDIQ, and BPA explained in depth.
</Card>

## Related pages

* [NAICS and PSC codes](/reference/naics-psc)
* [Small business set-asides](/find-opportunities/small-business-set-asides)
* [Federal contracts](/find-opportunities/federal-contracts)