Federal Acquisition Regulation, http://www.acquisition.gov/far/loadmainre.html
especially:

FAR Part 10, Market Research
prescribes policies and procedures for conducting market research to arrive at the most suitable approach to acquiring, distributing, and supporting supplies and services

Websites about Market Research

   A "Business Researcher's Jumpstation"
This complex website has loads of links to explore and is billed as "The Premier Business and Technology Portal and Global Community Network for E-Business, Information, Technology, and Knowledge Management recommended by Business Week, Fortune, Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Computerworld, Information Week, CIO Magazine, KM World, and, Harvard Business School Publishing."

   MIT Mechanical Engineering Resource List
This site is not just limited to mechanical engineering.

Additional Reading on Market Research:
[documents downloaded 10/23/2001]

   "A Program Manager's Guide to Realizing Marketplace Potential," by Chip Mather and Ann Costello of Acquisition Solutions®. The information in this Step Three is based heavily on this document. This usage is with the permission of Acquisition Solutions®, the publisher.

   "NASA's Market Research Guide," May 1998. Note: Includes an Appendix C on web-based market research with a detailed listing of links.

   "Market Research," Standardization Document 5 (SD-5), Department of Defense, July 1997. Also includes sources and web sites for market research information.

   "Market Research/Analysis Guide," Air Force Logistics Management Agency, August 1997. Very detailed guide. Includes section on internet resources.