BidSparq Research · updated October 5, 2026
The Wired Contract Report
Every contractor suspects it: some government bids are written for a vendor who's already been chosen. We analyzed the language of 45,051 open U.S. government solicitations to measure how often the text itself gives it away.
This report in 5 minutes: the three signals, the worst categories, and the 30 second check. New data video every Monday on our YouTube channel.
The four signals we measured
Share of open solicitations whose text contains each signal. The headline figure counts the three “strong” signals and excludes thin scope of work.
- 7,116 RFPsBrand-name lock (no “or equal”)15.8%
- 1,439 RFPsIntent-to-award / sole-source language3.2%
- 3,042 RFPsCompetitor-specific language6.8%
- 4,176 RFPsThin / vague scope of work9.3%
The most-wired categories
Share of open solicitations with a strong wired signal, by procurement category.
- 6,044 RFPsEquipment52.1%
- 933 RFPsSoftware39.7%
- 5,535 RFPsCommodities34.3%
- 988 RFPsIT Services25.7%
- 3,936 RFPsMaintenance20.6%
- 266 RFPsSecurity17.7%
- 728 RFPsEducation Services10.4%
- 225 RFPsStaffing7.6%
- 1,064 RFPsHealthcare Services6.8%
- 375 RFPsFood Services6.4%
- 7,067 RFPsProfessional Services6.1%
- 446 RFPsTransportation5.4%
The most-wired states
Share with a strong wired signal, by place of solicitation (min. 150 RFPs).
- 1,809 RFPsOH53.0%
- 422 RFPsOK35.5%
- 1,817 RFPsPA34.4%
- 5,513 RFPsVA33.9%
- 247 RFPsNM27.5%
- 450 RFPsDC22.0%
- 752 RFPsSC21.9%
- 1,408 RFPsMD20.5%
- 389 RFPsAL19.5%
- 1,351 RFPsWA19.3%
- 1,213 RFPsIL16.2%
- 258 RFPsME15.9%
Read this before you cite us
These are signals, not proof. A brand-name specification is sometimes entirely legitimate: an agency may genuinely need an OEM part for compatibility, which is exactly why equipment shows the highest rate. What the signals tell you is where competition may be limited and a bid is worth a closer look before you spend 80 hours on a proposal. They are a starting point for scrutiny, not an accusation.
Spot a wired contract before you bid
BidSparq scores every active RFP for these signals automatically: so you don't waste a week writing a proposal for a contract that's already been decided. Want to learn the tells yourself? Read our field guide.
Methodology
BidSparq analyzed the language of 45,051 currently-open U.S. government solicitations (federal, state, and local) using an AI classifier that flags four signals associated with pre-favored, incumbent-friendly procurements: brand-name specifications without an “or equal” clause, intent-to-award / sole-source language, language tailored to a specific competitor, and an unusually thin scope of work. The headline figure counts the three “strong” signals and excludes thin scope (vague ≠ wired). IMPORTANT: these are signals, not proof of wrongdoing: a brand-name spec is sometimes legitimate (e.g. OEM compatibility in equipment), which is exactly why equipment shows the highest rate. The signals surface where competition may be limited and warrant a closer look. Analysis covers the AI-enriched subset of open solicitations in BidSparq; the dataset refreshes as new solicitations are ingested and re-analyzed.
Verify this yourself
The solicitations behind these signals are public. Read any of them yourself and judge the language.
- BidSparq's live solicitation directory: the open bids these counts are drawn from, browsable without an account.
- SAM.gov contract opportunities: the federal notices BidSparq tracks, at the source.
Data as of October 5, 2026. © BidSparq. Cite as “BidSparq Wired Contract Report.”
Key stats from this report
Each answered on its own page with the current figure, source, and sample size.
See our data in your Google results
This page updates weekly. Add BidSparq as a preferred source and Google will surface our fresh procurement data more prominently in your Search and AI results.
Add BidSparq as a preferred source on Google