Basis_for_Award.docx

BASIS FOR AWARD

Cost/Technical Trade Off Analysis: In determining overall cost to the government for evaluation and selection purposes, the price proposed by an offeror who provides acceptable innovative technical approach, and or provides benefits/betterments within the cost objective may be afforded greater consideration than an offeror who proposes a lower price for basic requirements. Price evaluation will consider reasonableness, realistic and affordable prices associated with the offeror’s overall technical proposal solution. After the proposal compliance analysis and technical evaluations are complete, the Government will then consider the price in connection with the technical evaluation and the contractor’s past performance to determine the proposal offering the most advantage to the government. The Government will compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of the technical proposals and compare prices to provide a risk assessment of the contractor’s ability to perform at the proposed price/cost. The tradeoff analysis will be conducted upon completion of the quality/price evaluations of final proposal revisions, if communications/discussions are necessary, or after evaluation of initial offers if discussions are not conducted. Some trade-off considerations are usually part of the process in determining which firms will be included in the competitive range for discussions, if discussions are necessary. Offerors are reminded that the Government intends to award without discussions, but will hold discussions if needed.

The Government will award a firm fixed-price contract to that responsible offeror whose proposal, conforming to the offering/solicitation, is fair and reasonable, and has been determined to be most advantageous to the Government when non-cost factors (technical and past performance), price, and other factors considered. The non-cost factors are significantly more important than price. As technical ratings and relative advantages and disadvantages become less distinct, differences in price between proposals are of increased importance in determining the most advantageous proposal. Conversely, as differences in price become less distinct, differences in ratings and relative advantages and disadvantages between proposals are of increased importance to the determination.

The Government reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer. The right is also reserved to reject any and all offers. The basis of award will be a conforming offer, the price or cost of which may or may not be the lowest.

Offerors are reminded to include their best technical and price terms in their initial offer and not to automatically assume that they will have an opportunity to participate in discussions or be asked to submit a revised offer. The Government may make award of a conforming proposal without discussions, if deemed to be within the best interests of the Government.