BB-202 - Event Cycle 3: Solicitation, Evaluation, and Award.

Step 1: Solicitation distribution, amendment, and cancellation:

a.  Are solicitation lists established and maintained when electronic commerce techniques are not employed?

b.  Is the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) being reviewed after opening of bids, or receipt of proposals (FAR 9.405(d)(1))?

Step 2: Bid opening and proposal closing:

a.  Are bids received prior to bid opening kept secure in a locked bid box or safe (FAR 14.401(a))?

b.  Are the withdrawals of bids before the exact time set for opening bids accomplished according to FAR requirements (FAR 14.303(b))?

c.  Are bid opening postponements limited to only justifiable situations (FAR 14.402-3(a))?

d.  Do bid opening officers follow bid opening rules and procedures (FAR 14.402)?

e.  Are procedures followed on the receipt and handling of proposals and quotations (FAR 15.207)?

f.  Are procedures followed on the disclosure and use of information in the proposals (FAR 3.104-4)?

Step 3: Responsiveness and certifications.

a.  Are only those bids that comply in all material respects with the Invitation for Bids (IFB) considered for award (FAR 14.301)?

b.  Are appropriate certifications and representations required by the solicitation provided by the offeror prior to award?

Step 4: Mistakes and protest resolution.

Do contracting officers consider, resolve, or forward, as appropriate, all protests filed that relate to either their solicitations or procedures (FAR 33.102)?

Step 5: Technical Evaluation.

Are the technical factors developed specifically for each acquisition, i.e. , technical approach, management approach, experience, and personnel qualifications?

Step 6: Price or Cost evaluation.

a.  Is the relative importance between price or cost and the non-price/cost factors reflected in both the solicitation and weights or priority statements in the source selection plan?

b.  Is price or cost evaluated in every source selection (FAR 15.304(c)(1))?

Step 7: Past Performance Evaluation:

Is past performance being evaluated as appropriate, or the file documented by the contracting officer (FAR 15.304(c)(3))?

Step 8: Responsibility determination, certification of competency and verification of EPLS and CCR.

a.  Do contracting officers place the required written determination of nonresponsibility in the contract file when rejecting prospective offerors as nonresponsible (FAR 9.105-2(a))?

b.  Is the EPLS being verified prior to awarding contracts to prospective contractors (FAR 9.405(d)(4))? Is the DoD Termination List Available at https://www.ppirs.gov being verified prior to award?

c.  Are appropriate verifications of the contractors' registration in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) completed prior to award of contracts (FAR 4.1103)?

Step 9:  Approvals, congressional notices, and business clearances prior to award.

a.  Do the contract files reflect the obtainment of appropriate award approvals and signature authorities?

b.  Are public announcements and the release of contract award information in compliance with regulatory requirements (FAR 5.303, DFARS 205.303, and AFARS 5105.303)?

c.  Do the contracting officers determine price to be fair and reasonable in accordance with the applicable FAR Parts 12, 13, 14 and/or 15?

Step 10: Contract distribution, synopsis, and notice of award.

a.  Are contract awards synopsized through GPE (ASFI) (FAR 5.301)?

b.  Are steps taken to ensure that the notice of award is received in a timely manner, particularly where the successful offeror must "mobilize" subcontractors and equipment?