In government contracting, timing can make or break your success.

Every year, thousands of federal contracts quietly expire, and many of them are re-awarded to new vendors. But if you’re not watching closely, you’ll miss the early signs—and the chance to step in while the window is still open.

That’s why tracking recompetes and expiring contracts should be a top priority for any contractor serious about growing in the government space. And that’s exactly where FedBiz365 excels.

FedBiz365 doesn’t just show you what’s active now. It helps you look ahead, identify which contracts are winding down, and uncover opportunities to displace incumbents before your competition even knows what’s coming.

In this article, we’ll break down how recompetes work, why they’re such a valuable entry point, and how FedBiz365 equips you with the insights to act early, build relationships, and win more business.

What Are Recompetes, and Why Should You Care?

A recompete happens when a government contract is about to expire, and the agency puts the work back out for bid. Sometimes it’s the exact same scope of work. Sometimes it’s modified or expanded. Either way, it’s a chance to compete for a contract that already exists and is likely to continue receiving funding.

These are some of the most strategic opportunities in federal contracting because:

The agency already knows they need the service
Funding is often secured or historically reliable
There’s a paper trail – past performance, pricing, and vendor history to analyze
The incumbent isn’t always guaranteed to win again

If you can spot these opportunities in advance and position yourself as a viable (or even better) alternative, you can often win without starting from scratch.

But spotting recompetes takes more than checking SAM.gov once a week.

The Challenge with Free Tools

Public resources like SAM.gov and FPDS offer some recompete data—but only if you know exactly what to look for and how to interpret it.

Unfortunately, many contractors fall into one of these traps:

They find the opportunity too late
They don’t realize it’s a recompete
They can’t see who the incumbent is or what they charged
They waste time chasing contracts that don’t align with their strengths

By the time an RFP is released, your window to influence the decision has already closed. That’s where FedBiz365 gives you a decisive edge.

Learn More About The FedBiz365 Subscription

How FedBiz365 Helps You Track Expiring Contracts and Recompetes

FedBiz365 was built to help government contractors plan ahead, act early, and win smarter.

Here’s how it helps you stay ahead of the recompete curve:

1. Proactive Expiration Alerts

FedBiz365 flags contracts that are approaching their end dates, helping you anticipate opportunities months in advance. You can filter by:

Contract end date
Agency
NAICS or PSC code
Award size
Set-aside status
Incumbent vendor

With this information, you can start your outreach well before the RFP drops, giving you time to build relationships and shape your proposal strategy.

2. Incumbent Intelligence

Want to know who currently holds the contract? FedBiz365 provides complete profiles on incumbent vendors, including:

Award value
Period of performance
Contract vehicle
Contact details (when available)

You can analyze their past performance and pricing strategy to determine if you can offer a more competitive or valuable solution.

3. Historical Award Analysis

Use historical data to understand how the agency has bought this service in the past. FedBiz365 shows you:

How often they recompete contracts
Trends in scope, pricing, and vendor selection
Whether they’ve stuck with incumbents or changed vendors frequently

This context can help you prioritize opportunities where the agency may be looking for a new solution or vendor.

4. Forecasting Future Opportunities

FedBiz365 combines historical data with predictive analytics to help you forecast upcoming opportunities that haven’t yet been announced.

This includes:

Expected recompetes
Contracts at risk of transition
Trends that indicate growth or new funding in key sectors

It’s a forward-looking approach that keeps you ahead of the RFP cycle.

Why the Early Bird Wins in GovCon

The earlier you engage, the more you can do:

Understand the agency’s evolving needs
Build relationships with key decision-makers
Offer solutions before the specs are finalized
Establish your value long before the competition shows up

By the time the RFP hits SAM.gov, agencies have often already made informal decisions about which vendors they trust, who they’ve heard from, and what kind of proposal they expect.

When you use FedBiz365 to track expiring contracts and start outreach early, you have a much better shot at being one of those trusted names.

Finding the Right Opportunities for Your Business

Not every recompete is the right fit. FedBiz365 helps you avoid wasting time by letting you filter, sort, and prioritize based on what matters to you:

Past performance requirements
Contract size
Socioeconomic set-asides
Geographic location
Specific agency relationships

You can build a pipeline filled with opportunities that match your capabilities—and stop chasing contracts that don’t fit.

Real-Life Scenario: Seizing the Window Before It Closes

Let’s say you provide cybersecurity services to mid-sized agencies. Using FedBiz365, you:

Search for contracts expiring in the next 9 months
Narrow it to those in your NAICS code with a history of recompeting
Find a $5M contract at a federal agency where you have contacts
Identify the incumbent and analyze their past pricing
Begin outreach to the agency’s contracting officer with insights and value propositions

Now, when the RFP is finally posted, you’ve already:

Had meaningful conversations with the buyer
Positioned your firm as a trusted alternative
Tailored your proposal based on known agency pain points

You’re not starting from square one—you’re finishing a game you’ve already been playing.

More Than Just Data: Tools to Help You Engage

FedBiz365 is designed for action, not just analysis. Once you identify a recompete opportunity, you can:

Save it to your pipeline for tracking and collaboration
Assign tasks to your team
Get alerts as the opportunity develops
Access buyer contact details for early engagement

You can even pair FedBiz365 with FedBiz Access services like:

Engagement Coaching: Learn how to connect with buyers and communicate effectively
The Federal Connections Package: Launch targeted outreach campaigns that put your capability statement in the right hands

Don’t Let Another Opportunity Slip By

Contracts don’t last forever—but your business growth can.

By using FedBiz365 to track recompetes and expiring contracts, you can:

Get ahead of your competition
Identify opportunities that align with your strengths
Engage earlier and build trust with agency buyers
Submit proposals that reflect insight, value, and preparation

This is what it means to move from reactive to strategic in government contracting.

Ready to Start Winning More Through Recompetes?

For over 24 years, FedBiz Access has helped contractors succeed in the government marketplace. Whether you’re a small business looking for your first win or a seasoned prime seeking growth, our tools and expertise can help you get there.

FedBiz365 gives you the real-time data, predictive insights, and buyer connections you need to track and act on expiring contracts—before the window closes.

Learn More about FedBiz365

Want to talk strategy? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a FedBiz Specialist today.

Let’s make sure your next big win doesn’t pass you by.