Procedures for solicitation, evaluation, and award
Contracting officers must apply commercial acquisition policies alongside the appropriate solicitation and award procedures, using streamlined and simplified methods where eligible, and ensure compliance with LPTA criteria when applicable.
Overview
FAR 12.203 outlines the procedures contracting officers must follow when soliciting, evaluating, and awarding contracts for commercial products and services. It requires the use of commercial acquisition policies in conjunction with the appropriate solicitation and award procedures from FAR Parts 13 (Simplified Acquisition), 14 (Sealed Bidding), or 15 (Negotiation), depending on the acquisition type and value. The section also allows for streamlined solicitation procedures (FAR 12.603) and the use of simplified procedures for certain acquisitions up to $7.5 million ($15 million for specific cases under 13.500(c)). Additionally, it mandates that contracting officers ensure compliance with the criteria for the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) source selection process as specified in FAR 15.101-2(c).