14.503-1
Step one
Step One of two-step sealed bidding requires contractors to submit technical proposals without pricing, which are evaluated for acceptability before price competition begins.
Overview
FAR 14.503-1 outlines the procedures for Step One of the two-step sealed bidding process. This step focuses on soliciting and evaluating technical proposals without pricing information to determine which proposals are technically acceptable before moving to price competition in Step Two. The section details the required contents of the technical proposal request, handling and safeguarding of proposals, evaluation criteria, communication with offerors, and procedures for handling unacceptable or late proposals.
Key Rules
- Request for Technical Proposals
- Must be synopsized and include a clear description of requirements, evaluation criteria, submission deadlines, and instructions that no pricing information is to be included.
- Safeguarding and Handling Proposals
- Proposals must be protected from unauthorized disclosure, and any price information must be removed.
- Evaluation Process
- Proposals are evaluated solely on technical criteria and categorized as acceptable, reasonably susceptible of being made acceptable, or unacceptable.
- Clarification and Discussions
- The contracting officer may request additional information or hold discussions to make proposals acceptable, but only with the original submitter.
- Notification and Debriefing
- Offerors must be notified if their proposal is unacceptable, and debriefings are available upon request.
- Late Proposals and Discontinuation
- Late proposals are governed by FAR 15.208, and if the process is discontinued, all offerors must be notified in writing.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure proper synopsis, safeguard proposals, evaluate fairly, communicate with offerors, and document the process.
- Contractors: Must submit technical proposals without pricing, adhere to submission deadlines, and respond to requests for clarification if needed.
- Agencies: Must oversee compliance with the process and maintain records of all actions taken.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures a fair, competitive process by separating technical evaluation from price competition. Contractors must focus on technical merit in Step One, while contracting officers must manage the process transparently and efficiently. Common pitfalls include submitting pricing information, missing deadlines, or failing to address technical requirements.