Talking to the customer is encouraged. The FAR encourages exchanges of information among all interested parties from the earliest identification of a requirement through receipt of proposals 1, and its techniques for early exchanges include one-on-one meetings with potential offerors 2.
The solicitation changes who you talk to. General information about agency mission needs and future requirements may be disclosed at any time 3, but after release of the solicitation, the contracting officer must be the focal point of any exchange with potential offerors 4.
What one company learns, everyone gets. When specific information about a proposed acquisition that would be necessary for the preparation of proposals is disclosed to one or more potential offerors, that information must be made available to the public as soon as practicable, but no later than the next general release of information, in order to avoid creating an unfair competitive advantage 5.
Some lines are hard. The procurement integrity rules bar anyone, other than as provided by law, from knowingly obtaining contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information before award 6, and government business shall be conducted in a manner above reproach 7.
Industry days
Bids2Bank's Deadlines page tracks the dates around these exchanges, including "Questions due", the last day to send questions to the Contracting Officer 8, and site visits or pre-proposal conferences 9.
Worked example. At an industry day, a program office employee tells Contractor A privately what the budget is. Contractor A does not build its price on the remark; it asks the contracting officer whether the budget will be shared with all potential offerors.
Track questions and conference dates →
Indented paragraphs are invented worked examples. Tool links open Bids2Bank and need a free account.