M.3_BASIS_FOR_AWARD.docx

M.3 BASIS FOR AWARD

Unless all offers are rejected, award will be made to the responsible Offeror whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is determined to be the best overall value, price and other factors considered. Within the best value continuum, the Government will employ a trade-off analysis of cost or price and non-cost factors (FAR 15.101-1) in evaluating the proposals submitted. Offerors must satisfy the requirements described in the performance criteria outlined in the Statement of Objectives (SOO), as well as other RFP requirements. While the Offerors are encouraged to address all items in the Statement of Objectives for full consideration, the BEP may consider proposals that offer a substantially innovative, secure and notable solution to less than all of the objectives so long as the main focus is heavily representative of the SOO section 3.1.1 (Optical waveguide characteristics) and 3.1.2 (Intaglio printed application).

The determination of best value shall be based on a tradeoff process utilizing a comparative assessment of the proposal against the factors set forth above. In determining which proposal provides the best value to the Government, Technical Factor is significantly more important than Past Performance, Small Business Subcontracting Plan and Cost/Price.. Past Performance is more important than Cost/Price. When combined, Technical, Past Performance and Small Business Subcontracting Plan are significantly more important than Cost/Price. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of an unacceptable offer.

Based upon the results of the integrated assessment of the technical, past performance, small business subcontracting plan and cost/price proposals, the Government may make an award to other than the lowest-priced offeror or the offeror with the highest technical score if the source selection official determines that to do so would result in the best value to the Government.