Source Selection

What is Source Selection? Source Selection is the process of conducting competitive negotiations. Source Selection allows the Government to assess the offer’s ability to meet the Government’s needs and evaluate the relative merits of competing proposals.

When is Source Selection Applicable? It applies to negotiated contracting when: it is based on cost/price competition between proposals that meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation, or competition involving an evaluation/comparison of other factors including cost/price. The objective is to select the proposal that represents the best value to the Government.

Source Selection Techniques: An agency can obtain best value in negotiated acquisitions by using the approach that is best suitable to the specific circumstances of the acquisition. Tradeoff Process – appropriate when it may be in the best interest of the Government to consider award to other then the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. Lowest Price technically acceptable – appropriate when best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price.

Preparing Proposals 1. Review the Request for Proposal and Evaluation Factors carefully. 2. Determine whether or not your firm has the required experience to be successful in the technical evaluation. 3. Review requirements closely and respond to all requested technical and pricing information. 4. Ask questions!!

1. Review the Evaluation Factors. Especially note the selection criteria/ minimum standards. Is the RFP Best Value or Low Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)? If Best Value, the RFP should state whether technical factors, when combined, are: a. Significantly more important than cost or price; b. Approximately equal to cost or price; or c. Significantly less important than cost or price If LPTA, it is only necessary to meet the minimum technical standards stated.

2. Determine whether or not your firm has the required experience to be successful in the technical evaluation. Review the similar project description Review requirements for key personnel Minimum requirements are listed.

Evaluation Factor examples II.C.Technical Proposal The Technical Proposal shall include the information requested below for the non-price factors described in Section VI. (1) Evaluation Factor 1 - Past Performance and Experience on Similar Projects This factor considers the past performance of the Offeror. The Offeror shall submit references for comparable projects substantially completed within the last eight (8) years. The Government also reserves the right to use other government data available in its assessment of the offeror.

The Offeror must demonstrate successful experience as a General Construction (GC) Contractor responsible for the construction of at least two (2) “similarly complex” projects substantially completed within the past eight (8) years. A similarly complex project is defined as a project that is comparable in nature, type, and complexity as defined by all of the following characteristics: the project involved new building construction and/or the renovation of a comparably sized structure; the project was performed in an occupied and functioning office building; The project included noise and dust control The total project construction cost at award of the construction contract(s) was a minimum of $2,500,000.

( 2) Evaluation Factor 2 – Staffing Plan The Offeror shall provide the following: A Staffing Plan. The Staffing Plan shall be provided in both narrative and chart format (e.g., organizational structure) to describe and depict all of the following: (1) the Offeror’s overall management structure; (2) the Offeror’s management structure for this project; and, (3) major trade subcontractors (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing). II.D.Proposal Format 1. Provide 2 originals of the Price Proposal. 2. Provide 1 original and 2 copies of the Technical Proposal except provide only 1 copy of the Reference Forms. 3. The page limit for the Technical Proposal is ten (10) exclusive of the GC Reference

3. Review requirements closely and respond to all requested technical and pricing information. Are there page limitations or specific instructions for assembly of the proposal? Have all aspects of the RFP been addressed? Review all evaluation factors. Have all minimum standards been met? Can standards be exceeded by your firm?

4. Ask Questions All inquiries should go to the Contracting Officer, not to the technical staff. Is the similar project description clear? Are the technical evaluation factors/ requirements clear?