5.1  Overview

The following three approaches to evaluating proposals have proved successful.  Selecting the method appropriate for an acquisition depends on many factors; for example, number of proposals anticipated, available resources, funding, and SSA preferences.  

Ensure the approach selected is clearly communicated and strictly followed throughout the evaluation process.  Use only the criteria identified in the solicitation to determine technical acceptability.  ALL criteria must be passed to be considered technically acceptable.  Technical evaluators rate the proposals as "acceptable," "reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable," or "not acceptable."  Ensure the technical evaluation is properly documented.  See Attachment 5 for a sample technical evaluation checklist.

A proposal is rated "reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable" when after the initial evaluation, the rater anticipates additional information that could be provided by an offeror during discussions or through a minor proposal revision, would result in a proposal rating of acceptable ("pass").  The offeror will need to revise or further explain their proposal.  If, upon review of the new or revised information, the proposal does not meet the government's requirements, a "fail" rating may be warranted.  Reference FAR 15.306, Exchanges With Offerors After Receipt of Proposals, for an explanation of the different types of exchanges that can transpire with offerors.

Note:  An example of this would be if the government required a manual override as part of an item being purchased and while the contractor may have alluded to one, the technical team needs definite assurance that such will be provided.  Another example would be that an offeror provides a detailed description of their process for qualifying and monitoring the quality of new sources.  However, they do not discuss their process for identifying sources to be qualified as required by the subfactor. In both cases, discussions would be held to obtain the required information.

When technical proposals are not required, a proposal can be determined technically acceptable when the offeror states his/her intent to build a part or perform in accordance with the requirements in the solicitation.

See paragraph 6.0, Exchanges Between the Government and Offerors, for an explanation of how proposal weaknesses/deficiencies are identified, documented, and resolved.