Overview
This section establishes the administrative framework for the final stages of the sealed bidding process, ranging from the initial receipt of bids to the formal awarding of a contract. It serves as the roadmap for how agencies must legally process and evaluate submitted bids to ensure transparency and fairness.
Key Rules
- Bid Management: Defines the standard procedures for the receipt, secure handling, and physical opening of submitted bids.
- Disposition of Bids: Dictates how bids are categorized and processed after opening, including those that are rejected.
- Error Resolution: Provides the regulatory basis for identifying and correcting mistakes in bids discovered before award.
- Award Criteria: Sets the stage for the legal transition from a responsive and responsible bid to a binding federal contract.
Practical Implications
- Integrity of Process: Contracting officers must adhere strictly to these procedures to prevent bid protests and ensure that no bidder receives an unfair advantage during the opening or correction phase.
- Clerical Protections: The subpart provides a vital mechanism for bidders to correct "clear and convincing" clerical errors, protecting them from being bound to commercially unviable prices due to simple mistakes.