2.3  Overview of Section M

Guidance for the solicitation provisions can be found in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and its supplements.  If you have a question regarding which provisions apply to your acquisition, talk with your Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE) or Contract Policy/Clearance office.  Note that the SSA is responsible for making the integrated assessment and best value decision.  It is important to recognize that the lowest-priced offer does not automatically "win" - the proposal that represents the best value is the "winner."  In many circumstances where the requirement is clearly definable and the risk of unsuccessful performance is minimal, "best value" may equate to the lowest-priced offer from a responsible source.  In situations where the requirement is less definitive, substantial development work is required, or the risk of unsuccessful performance is greater, technical or past performance considerations play important roles in the best value source selection decision.