Budget Estimate Submission (BES)
A Budget Estimate Submission (BES) is the formal process by which federal agencies prepare and submit their budget requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the upcoming fiscal year.
What Is Budget Estimate Submission?
A Budget Estimate Submission (BES) is the formal process by which federal agencies prepare and submit their budget requests to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the upcoming fiscal year.
BES is a central part of the federal budget formulation cycle. It determines what funding agencies request — and ultimately what programs and contracts may be funded.
Where BES Fits in the Federal Budget Process
The federal budget process generally follows this sequence:
Agencies develop internal budget proposals
Agencies submit Budget Estimate Submissions (BES) to OMB
OMB reviews and adjusts agency requests
The President submits a consolidated budget to Congress
Congress authorizes and appropriates funds
The BES phase occurs before the President's Budget is finalized.
Key Components of a BES
Program Funding Requests: Proposed funding levels for each initiative submitted by the agency.
Budget Justifications: Narrative explanations supporting the requested funds and program objectives.
Cost Projections: Detailed estimates of expenses required to execute funded programs.
Performance Data: Evidence of program effectiveness used to justify continued or increased funding.
Prioritization: Ranking of programs based on strategic importance and mission alignment.
Governing Laws and Policies
The BES process is shaped by several foundational statutes and policies:
Budget and Accounting Act of 1921
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
OMB Circular A-11
OMB Circular A-11 provides detailed instructions for how agencies prepare and format their submissions.
Why BES Matters in Government Contracting
Although BES is an internal government budgeting process, it directly affects contractors because:
It signals future funding priorities
It shapes program growth or reductions
It identifies emerging initiatives
It influences long-term acquisition strategies
For example, if the Department of Defense increases funding requests for cybersecurity programs in its BES, contractors in that sector can anticipate increased opportunity in future solicitations.
Experienced government contractors analyze BES-related materials to forecast market demand, identify growth programs, align business development strategy, anticipate recompetes, and engage early with program offices.
Common Misconceptions About BES
BES equals approved funding.
BES reflects requested funding. Congress must authorize and appropriate funds before programs receive budget authority.
Contractors can directly submit to BES.
Only federal agencies submit BES documents to OMB.
BES guarantees contract awards.
Even funded programs must still go through proper acquisition processes governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is BES submitted?
Typically during the executive branch budget formulation cycle, often 12–18 months before the fiscal year begins.
Is BES public?
Elements of the final President's Budget become public. Internal BES drafts are not typically public.
Can small businesses benefit from understanding BES?
Yes. Early awareness of funding priorities can improve positioning and teaming strategies.
Does every agency submit a BES?
Yes. Federal executive agencies submit budget estimates to OMB annually.
Related Government Contracting Topics
Federal Budget Cycle: The annual process through which the executive branch formulates and Congress enacts the federal budget.
Authorization vs. Appropriation: Authorization establishes programs; appropriation provides the actual funding authority.
President's Budget: The consolidated budget proposal submitted by the President to Congress after OMB review of agency BES submissions.
Program Objective Memorandum (POM): The DoD equivalent of BES, used to plan and prioritize defense funding across the Future Years Defense Program.
Strategic Capture Planning: The process of aligning business development efforts with anticipated government funding priorities identified through budget analysis.