Government Contracting Officers use SBCX to invite vendors to submit subcontracting plans as part of contract awards. As a vendor, you will receive an email when a request is assigned to you.
You can upload your plan directly through SBCX and track its review progress in real time.
What You'll Learn
- How to access and submit a subcontracting plan in SBCX
- What to expect during the review process
- How to respond if the Contracting Officer (CO) requests clarification after the deadline
- Answers to common questions about rules, deadlines, and plan ownership
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Finding Subcontracting Plans
2. Understanding Subcontracting Plan Reviews
3. Completing Subcontracting Plans
6. Responding to Clarification Requests
8. SBCX Subcontracting Plan FAQ
1. Finding Subcontracting Plans
The Subcontracting Plan feature is located in the Industry Information section next to Manage My Business for logged-in users.
All users must register for SBCX before logging in.
Figure 1. SBCX Industry Information menu highlighting the Subcontracting Plan review button for a logged-in business user
The Subcontracting Plan Review page displays the subcontracting plans available to you:
- Click the title link to view details.
- Publicly available plans display only the Summary.
- Use the Search Subcontracting Plans section to find public plans that have not been started.
- If you cannot find the plan, contact the CO for a direct link or invitation.
Figure 2. Search Subcontracting Plans section
2. Understanding Subcontracting Plan Reviews
Each subcontracting plan request includes project information entered by the HHS Contracting Officer.
Tips:
- The calculation method may be Total Contract Value or Eligible Subcontracting Dollars.
- Only authorized users should click Create Subcontracting Plan — doing so makes you the plan owner.
- If a plan is already owned by another user, you will not be able to complete it.
- For invited plans, only invited users can submit. The CO can send updated invitations before the deadline.
Figure 3. Confirmation prompt shown to the user who clicks “Create Subcontracting Plan” to confirm ownership
Other review tabs include:
- Subcontracting Goals – Enter subcontracting requirements.
- Documents – Upload, view, or delete supporting documents.
- Notes – Communicate with the CO and SBS (available only for in-progress plans).
3. Completing Subcontracting Plans
The completion process depends on the plan type.
Steps:
- Select the subcontracting plan type and eligible subcontracting dollars.
- If required, enter the period of performance and pricing information.
- Provide subcontracting goal data — the Proposed Subcontracting Dollars must equal the Eligible Subcontracting Dollars before you can proceed.
- Identify the Subcontracting Program Administrator and their duties.
- For commercial plans, upload supporting documentation.
- Describe efforts to include small businesses and acknowledge assurances.
- Certify completion and compliance, then submit before the deadline.
Images of each step:
Figure 4. Step 1 of Subcontracting Plan showing selection of plan type and eligible dollars
Figure 5. Entry screen for pricing information including period of performance and amount
Figure 6. Subcontracting goal data checklist showing required fields and validation messages
Figure 7. Breakdown section for socioeconomic categories
Figure 8. Section to identify the Subcontracting Program Administrator and their responsibilities
Figure 9. Final certification and submission step allowing save or submit
Figure 10. PDF view of submitted subcontracting plan available for printing and records
Important:
- Use Save for Later if you are not ready to submit.
- You can request a preliminary review by using the Notes tab before submitting.
- Once submitted, the plan cannot be modified unless returned for clarification.
- A PDF copy is available after submission.
4. Rules & Deadlines
- All users must register before accessing the system.
- Vendors must access the plan from their invited account.
- No changes are allowed after submission, unless the CO returns the plan for clarification.
- Plans cannot be submitted after the deadline.
5. The Evaluation Process
After submission, the subcontracting plan is reviewed in this order:
- Evaluation CO
- Evaluation SBS
- Evaluation SBA PCR
You can track the plan’s evaluation and approval status in SBCX.
The CO may return the plan with a clarification request at any stage.
Figure 11. Subcontracting plan evaluation progress dashboard showing statuses for CO, SBS, and SBA PCR
6. Responding to Clarification Requests
Even after the submission deadline, the CO may return the plan for clarification.
If this happens:
- You’ll receive an SBCX notification
- The plan status will show Clarification Requested
- Navigate to the request and upload an updated version or provide comments
Click Submit Plan to return the revised version.
Your original submission date is preserved. Responding to clarifications does not affect your compliance unless the deadline has lapsed without any response.
7. Tracking Plan Status
Use the My Subcontracting Plans page to monitor each plan’s status:
8. SBCX Subcontracting Plan FAQ
Registration & Access
Q: Do I need to register before I can submit a subcontracting plan?
Yes. All users must register for SBCX before logging in and accessing the Subcontracting Plan Review page.
Q: I received an invitation to complete a subcontracting plan. Where do I find it?
Log in to your SBCX account and go to the Subcontracting Plan Review page. Invited plans appear under My Plans. Only invited users can submit the plan.
Q: Can I access a subcontracting plan that another user from my company already started?
No. Only the user who clicks Create Subcontracting Plan becomes the plan owner and can complete it. SBCX disables the Next button or hides the plan for other users. Contact us if the owner needs to be changed.
Finding & Starting a Plan
Q: I can’t find the subcontracting plan I need. What should I do?
Check both the My Plans tab and the Search Subcontracting Plans section for publicly available plans. If you still can’t find it, ask the Contracting Officer (CO) for a direct link or an invitation.
Completing the Plan
Q: Who should start a subcontracting plan?
Only users with authority to submit on behalf of the business should start the plan.
Q: Can I make changes after submitting my plan?
No. Once submitted, you cannot change the plan. You can only revise it if the CO issues a clarification request and returns it to you.
Q: How can I work on my plan before submitting it?
Use Save for Later to make edits before submission. You can also use the Notes tab to ask the CO for a preliminary review before you submit.
Q: What if my subcontracting dollar amounts don’t match?
The Proposed Subcontracting Dollars must match the Eligible Subcontracting Dollars exactly. SBCX won’t let you proceed until they match.
Deadlines & Clarifications
Q: Can I submit a plan after the deadline?
No. SBCX does not allow submissions after the deadline.
Q: Can the CO request changes after the deadline?
Yes. The CO can return your subcontracting plan for revision by issuing a clarification request, even after the submission deadline.
Evaluation Process
Q: Who reviews my subcontracting plan?
Plans are reviewed in this order:
Evaluation CO
Evaluation SBS
Evaluation SBA PCR
Q: How can I track my plan’s status?
You can monitor evaluation and approval status in the Subcontracting Plan Review page after submission.
Communication
Q: How do I communicate with the CO or SBS during the review?
Use the Notes feature in your subcontracting plan. This option is available only for plans that are In Progress.
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