Question 1

What is the best-value continuum in source selection?

Accepted Answer

The best-value continuum is the range of source selection approaches an agency may use in negotiated acquisitions. An agency can obtain best value by using any one or a combination of these approaches, from lowest-price-technically-acceptable at one end to a full tradeoff process at the other. [Source: FAR 15.101, Best value continuum (acquisition.gov) — "An agency can obtain best value in negotiated acquisitions by using any one or a combination of source selection approaches." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.101]

Question 2

What is the tradeoff process and when is it appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The tradeoff process is appropriate when it may be in the Government’s best interest to consider award to other than the lowest-priced offeror. It permits tradeoffs among cost or price and non-cost factors and allows the Government to accept other than the lowest-priced proposal. [Source: FAR 15.101-1, Tradeoff process (acquisition.gov) — "This process permits tradeoffs among cost or price and non-cost factors and allows the Government to accept other than the lowest priced proposal." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.101-1]

Question 3

What is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and how does it differ from tradeoff?

Accepted Answer

LPTA is appropriate when best value is expected from the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price. Unlike the tradeoff process, tradeoffs are not permitted under LPTA — proposals are evaluated for acceptability but not ranked using the non-cost/price factors, and award goes to the lowest-priced acceptable offer. [Source: FAR 15.101-2, Lowest price technically acceptable (acquisition.gov) — "Tradeoffs are not permitted. Proposals are evaluated for acceptability but not ranked using the non-cost/price factors." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.101-2]

Question 4

Must price or cost be evaluated in every source selection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Price or cost to the Government shall be evaluated in every source selection. [Source: FAR 15.304, Evaluation factors and significant subfactors (acquisition.gov) — "Price or cost to the Government shall be evaluated in every source selection." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.304]

Question 5

Must quality be addressed in every source selection?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Quality of the product or service shall be addressed in every source selection through consideration of one or more non-cost evaluation factors, such as past performance, compliance with requirements, technical excellence, management capability, or personnel qualifications. [Source: FAR 15.304, Evaluation factors and significant subfactors (acquisition.gov) — "Quality of the product or service shall be addressed in every source selection through consideration of one or more non-cost evaluation factors." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.304]

Question 6

Is past performance an evaluation factor in negotiated competitive acquisitions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Past performance shall be evaluated in all source selections for negotiated competitive acquisitions, except in limited circumstances set out in the FAR. [Source: FAR 15.304, Evaluation factors and significant subfactors (acquisition.gov) — "Past performance, except as set forth in paragraph (c)(3)(iii) ... shall be evaluated in all source selections for negotiated competitive acquisitions." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.304]

Question 7

What is the competitive range?

Accepted Answer

Based on the evaluation of each proposal against all evaluation criteria, the contracting officer establishes a competitive range comprised of all of the most highly rated proposals, unless the range is further reduced for purposes of efficiency. [Source: FAR 15.306, Exchanges with offerors after receipt of proposals (acquisition.gov) — "establish a competitive range comprised of all of the most highly rated proposals." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.306]

Question 8

Who conducts discussions with offerors, and with whom?

Accepted Answer

When discussions are conducted, they are held after establishment of the competitive range and are conducted by the contracting officer with each offeror within the competitive range. The primary objective is to maximize the Government’s ability to obtain best value. [Source: FAR 15.306, Exchanges with offerors after receipt of proposals (acquisition.gov) — "conducted by the contracting officer with each offeror within the competitive range." https://www.acquisition.gov/far/15.306]

Source Selection & Best Value (FAR Part 15)

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