How many days must a sole-source noncommercial supply item be publicized prior to the issuance of a solicitation?

The correct answer is 15 days because, under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), a sole-source noncommercial supply item must be publicly announced for a minimum of 15 days before issuing a solicitation. This requirement is in place to ensure transparency and fairness in the procurement process, allowing potential offerors the opportunity to express interest or present alternatives before the agency proceeds with the solicitation. The 15-day publicizing period serves as a mechanism to promote competition and allows the public to be informed about government contracting opportunities, which can ultimately lead to better value for taxpayers.

In practice, this means that agencies must take care to adequately publicize the intent to procure these items in order to comply with both statutory requirements and best practices in procurement. The other options listed do not align with this specific timeframe established in the FAR for sole-source noncommercial supply items.