1.2  Why Use This Guide and Template?

This guide and template were written to help you write Air Force solicitations that better define and communicate the basis for the integrated assessment and the determination of best value in our formal source selections--those conducted in accordance with Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) 5315.3 Source Selection.  "Best value" encompasses a range of selection techniques that allow the Government to make an award decision based on those criteria deemed most important to assure the successful and affordable satisfaction of the mission requirement(s).  Through this continuum, the relative importance of cost or price and other factors varies(See FAR 15.101.).  This guide and template will help you to refine and focus your evaluation factors and basis for award in formal source selections, identify the relative priorities for tradeoffs, and, when necessary, provide clear statements for the treatment of desired features or capabilities that exceed a solicitation's requirements.  In addition, this guide will help you identify the relative priorities of acquisition costs, life-cycle costs, and, when necessary, budget constraints.

Note:  For acquisition requirements unique to the A-76 program, refer to Air Force Instruction (AFI) 38-203, Commercial Activities Program.