3.5  Page Limitations

Page limitations can be effective in focusing the offeror and evaluator on the key discriminators.  The solicitation should state that the evaluators will read only up to the maximum number of pages specified.  For paper copies, remove pages in excess of the maximum number from the back of the proposal and return them to the offeror as soon as practicable so that they are not evaluated.  Consult your legal office/advisor prior to returning any removed pages.

NOTE:  Since page and format limitations can be subject to abuse and arbitrary limitations, legal advice should be obtained concerning whether there is an unfair competitive advantage before rejecting a proposal for exceeding page or format limitations (for example, rejecting a proposal based on page count which includes the cover sheet and table of contents and where omitting these pages from the page count results in the proposal's acceptability).

A 200-page limit is usually sufficient for the Mission Capability volume.  However, you must set the limit based on the complexity of the acquisition and your Mission Capability subfactors.

Rather than an overall page limitation on the past performance volume, consider a page limit on each instance of performance experience reported (e.g. 1-2 page limit per citation, etc.).  You may also wish to limit the number of instances of performance experience (citations) an offeror may report.  Consider limiting the number of past performance citations rather than placing a page limit on the volume.

Place page limits on all other proposal volumes whenever possible and goals when page limits cannot be applied.  The amount of information offerors are required to submit must be consistent with the page limits and goals established.

Also, limit the number of pages for responses to Evaluation Notices (ENs). The solicitation should state that limits will be set for responses to ENs.  Such limits, which should be fair to all offerors, but may not be the same for all offerors, will preclude offerors submitting major proposal revisions under the guise of responding to ENs (because the appropriate limit will depend on the content of each EN).  Identify reasonable page limits in the letter transmitting the ENs to the offeror. These limits, however, must not impact the requirement to conduct meaningful exchanges.

Spell out how past performance citations for IDIQ contracts are to be handled in terms of whether each delivery order must be considered as a separate citation or if the entire IDIQ contract, including all associated delivery orders as included.  The former is recommended.