In the area of sole-source contracts, the government uses something called an “advance contract award notice”, which is a notice that goes out to the supplier community advising that a particular contract is going to be awarded to a particular supplier. That advance contract award notice is intended to ensure that there are no other suppliers who can provide the same service, and it provides an opportunity for someone who feels they can provide the service to come forward and challenge the award or make their case.
On December 14th, 2010. See this statement in context.