A Practice Note discussing when an agency can use a local area preference, such as a local area set-aside, an evaluation preference, or a geographical restriction, to procure supplies or services. This Note addresses what options are available for local area and geographic preference, scoping the determination of the local area, challenges to the exclusion of a proposal, further restricting the preference to small businesses, transition of work to local area businesses, and challenges to an agency's decision to not use a preference.