This is the fourth and final blog in a series of blogs that I
will do related to the recently issued memorandum detailing the
Department of Defense (DoD) Source Selection Procedures for
acquisitions utilizing FAR Part 15 procedures (see links below).
The purpose of this new document is to standardize the methodology
and approach that DoD uses to conduct competitively negotiated
source selections. The procedures defined are effective as of July
1, 2011.
The contracting official must debrief an offeror upon receipt of
its written, timely request (See FAR 15.503 and 15.505). The
debriefing serves to assure offerors that the Government properly
evaluated their proposals and made the award determination in
accordance with the RFP. Since each offeror puts considerable
resources into preparing and submitting a proposal, fairness
dictates that the contracting official promptly debrief offerors
and explain why a proposal was excluded from the competitive range
or was successful or unsuccessful. Timely and thorough debriefings
increase competition, encourage offerors to continue to invest
resources in the Government marketplace, and enhance the
Government's relationship and credibility with industry. The
debriefing also provides feedback to offerors to assist in
improving future proposal submissions. Always request a debriefing!
Win or lose. Be prepared in order to get the most from your
debriefing. Below are examples of questions you might ask.
• Please explain the basis for the
strengths, weaknesses, or deficiencies in our proposal for each
evaluation factor and sub-factor.
• Were there any solicitation
requirements that we failed to address? If so, what were they?
• Please explain how past performance was
evaluated. What was our rating? How was that rating applied to the
source selection process?
• Was there anything not required by the
solicitation that we could have offered that might have made us
more competitive for the award?
• What were the most critical evaluation
criteria that proved to be tiebreakers in the evaluation of
proposals?
Subpart 15.1-Source Selection Processes and Techniques
https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2015_1.html#wp1095855
DOD Source Selection Procedures
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA007183-10-DPAP.pdf