Overview
This section establishes the applicability of Subpart 15.3, defining it as the regulatory framework governing the policies and procedures for evaluating and selecting contractors in competitive negotiated procurements.
Key Rules
- Applicability: The rules are limited to "negotiated" acquisitions rather than sealed bidding.
- Competition Requirement: These procedures apply specifically to "competitive" environments where multiple sources are vying for the contract.
- Procedural Authority: It serves as the formal foundation for the source selection process, including the evaluation of proposals and the decision-making criteria for contract awards.
Practical Implications
- This subpart provides the legal basis for the trade-off process and the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) source selection methods.
- Contracting officers and evaluation boards must adhere to these procedures to ensure a fair and transparent competition, thereby minimizing the risk of successful bid protests.