11.801
Preaward in-use evaluation
Preaward in-use evaluations of supplies are permitted without a separate test plan if offerors are notified in the solicitation, and results may be used to evaluate proposals.
Overview
FAR 11.801 addresses the use of preaward in-use evaluations for supplies during the government procurement process. It allows agencies to evaluate supplies under actual or comparable operating conditions before awarding a contract, as long as offerors are notified of this evaluation method in the solicitation. The results from these in-use evaluations can be used to rate proposals, determine technical acceptability, or otherwise inform the evaluation process, in accordance with FAR 15.305. This approach can streamline the evaluation process by eliminating the need for a separate test plan, provided transparency is maintained with offerors.
Key Rules
- Notification Requirement
- Offerors must be informed in the solicitation if in-use evaluations will be conducted without a separate test plan.
- Use of Evaluation Results
- Results from in-use evaluations may be used to rate proposals, assess technical acceptability, or otherwise evaluate offers.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure offerors are properly notified in the solicitation and that evaluation results are used in accordance with FAR 15.305.
- Contractors: Should be prepared for their supplies to be evaluated under in-use conditions and understand how results may impact proposal ratings.
- Agencies: Must maintain transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.
Practical Implications
- This section provides flexibility in evaluating supplies by allowing real-world testing without additional test plans, saving time and resources.
- Contractors should carefully review solicitations for notification of in-use evaluations and ensure their products are ready for such testing.
- Failure to notify offerors or improper use of evaluation results could lead to protests or challenges.