h.  How does the PAR differ from the Decision Briefing?

(1)  FAR 15.308 requires a source selection decision based on a comparative assessment of proposals against all source selection criteria in the solicitation. The SSET, and SSAC if applicable, provide this comparative assessment. One method of providing this comparative assessment is through the source selection decision briefings. MP5315.3, paragraph 6.1, requires a decision briefing when the SSA is other than the Contracting Officer. There are two opportunities for decision briefings. The first chance for a decision briefing is after initial evaluations are complete. At that time the SSET present the results of their evaluation to the SSA and recommends either establishment of a competitive range and entry into discussions or award without discussions. If the SSA chooses to authorize discussions instead of awarding without discussions, the second decision brief will take place after completion of discussions, FPRs, and final evaluation of proposals.

(2)  The initial briefing to the SSA provides the complete results of the SSET's initial evaluation of all proposals including a comparative assessment of ratings for all offerors against all evaluation criteria. Based on this assessment, the SSET can recommend that the SSA establish a competitive range to eliminate some offerors from the competition, approve the release of Evaluation Notices (EN), and authorize discussions with offerors remaining in the competitive range. If possible, based on the initial assessment, the SSET has the alternative of recommending an award without discussions.

(3)  If the SSA authorizes discussions, the final briefing presents the SSET's final evaluation results based on discussions and evaluation of FPRs submitted by offerors in the competitive range. The final briefing documents the evaluation through a comparative assessment of the ratings of all offerors in the competitive range against the evaluation criteria. At this time, the SSAC (if used) or the SSET presents a source selection recommendation for the SSA's consideration.  The SSA makes an award decision based on this comparative assessment.

(4)  The PAR includes a comparative assessment, as mentioned above, of all proposals against the solicitation evaluation criteria. The main difference between the PAR and the decision briefings is that the PAR is in narrative format with the opportunity for a more detailed, comprehensive analysis of each proposal. The decision briefings provide the assessment in an abbreviated, bullet format on briefing charts. Notes on the briefing charts supplement the bullets, but usually not in great detail. As a result, the PAR is very important because of the detailed evaluation narrative it provides to the SSA.