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8.1  Discussion ENs are normally prepared for all deficiencies, uncertainties, and weaknesses discovered during the evaluation.

8.16.  Proposals including an uncertainty about meeting a material performance or capability requirement will normally be rated "yellow."  Proposals including an uncertainty about potentially exceeding a material performance or capability requirement will normally be rated "green."

Unlike being non-responsive in the case of an IFB, in negotiated procurements, teams should address any shortfalls, questions, or uncertainties during discussions and provide the offeror the opportunity to satisfy the government's requirement.  It is only in cases where an award without discussions shall occur that an offeror may not have the opportunity to address such issues in order to clearly meet the government requirement.  In these cases, the teams should carefully weigh the benefit of awarding without discussions over what otherwise might be another competitive proposal if discussions were to be held and proposal revisions accepted.