2.  Pre-Contract Clearance CDP

a)  Pre-Initial Evaluation/Pre-Competitive Range (Award w/o Discussions)/Pre-release of Interim Ratings

Evaluation

--  Did the evaluation team follow/comply with:

---  Sections L&M of the RFP?

---  Source Selection Evaluation Guide?

---  Source Selection Plan?

--  Was there consistency and fairness in evaluating each offer against Section M (evaluation criteria)

--  Was there consistency in applying the ratings across the offerors?

--  What clarifications and/or communications, if any, were conducted?

---  Were they appropriate clarifications and/or communications?

---  Were meaningful and open communications conducted in which the offeror and government clearly understood each other's position and assumptions? (It is not sufficient to handle discussions in a way that is it only for the benefit of the government to understand the offeror's proposal.)

--  Did the evaluation team apply any standards or undisclosed evaluation criteria to their evaluation of proposals or past performance?

Documentation

--  At a minimum, were deficiencies, weaknesses, significant weaknesses, and adverse past performance described in the evaluation notices? Were assumptions addressed as appropriate or acceptable?

--  Is supporting documentation describing details of the evaluations readily available during the briefing?

Briefing Charts

--  Does the briefing tell the story of proper evaluations from receipt of proposals, through the technical, past performance and cost evaluations, through the type of clarifications and communications conducted, through formations of evaluation notices, to the initial ratings/standings?

--  Does the briefing show the evolution of discussions with each offeror?

--  Were the interim ratings reflective of achieving meaningful discussions?

--  Does the content and quality of the briefing reflect Contracting officer and SSET Chairperson(s) or equivalent review?

--  Does the briefing support the recommended competitive range (or to award without discussions)?

--  Did the briefers effectively articulate their decisions/justifications?

b)  Pre-Final Proposal Revision Request Brief

Discussions

--  Were discussions conducted IAW sections L & M?

--  Did the discussion process utilized achieve meaningful and transparent communications?

Documentation

--  Does the supporting documentation adequately describe the basis and justification for the ratings?

--  Do the Interim Ratings prior to final evaluation support the degree of discussions held with each offeror? (e.g. there is no misunderstanding by the offeror and GAO that the Contracting Officer clearly discussed the issues that resulted in the red or yellow ratings.)

Briefing Charts

--  Does the content of the briefing bring the SSA up to date from approval to establish competitive range to completion of meaningful discussions (with or without releasing of Interim Ratings)?

--  Does the briefing content confirm that meaningful discussions were conducted?

--  If interim ratings were not released prior to Final Proposal Revision request, has the Contracting Officer clearly articulated his/her rationale in the briefing charts?

--  If any offeror's proposal should no longer be in the competitive range, does the briefing support the recommendation to eliminate it from consideration for award?

--  Did the briefers effectively articulate their decisions/justifications?

c)  Pre-Source Selection Decision Brief

Documentation

--  Did the SSET complete proposal evaluation, incorporate information provided through discussions and Final Proposal Revisions IAW section M?

--  Is the Proposal Analysis Report (PAR) reflective of the evaluations and justification documents?

--  Is the Source Selection Decision Document reflective of the SSA's integrated assessment and own personal decision leading to the selection of a contractor(s)?

Briefing Charts

--  Do the briefing charts clearly summarize and justify the evaluation results?

--  If Proposal Analysis Report is not used, does the briefing contain adequate details of the evaluation results and a comparative analysis (cost/price, past performance, mission capability, proposal risk, and a source selection recommendation) of the competitive offers?

--  Can the SSA make an integrated assessment best value decision based on the information presented in the briefing?

--  Can the information in the briefing be used, as applicable, for the source selection decision document?

--  Did the briefers effectively articulate their decisions/justifications?