15.302
Source selection objective
Source selection must focus on awarding to the proposal that delivers the best value to the government, not just the lowest price.
Overview
FAR 15.302 establishes that the primary goal of source selection in negotiated procurements is to choose the proposal offering the best value to the government. This section underlines that source selection is not solely about the lowest price, but rather about a comprehensive evaluation of proposals to determine which one provides the optimal combination of price, quality, and other relevant factors. The regulation guides contracting professionals to focus on overall value, considering both cost and technical merit, in their evaluation and award decisions. This principle applies to all negotiated acquisitions conducted under FAR Part 15 procedures.
Key Rules
- Best Value Selection
- The source selection process must aim to identify the proposal that offers the best value to the government, balancing price and other evaluation criteria.
- Comprehensive Evaluation
- Evaluations should consider all stated factors and subfactors in the solicitation, not just price.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure the evaluation process is structured to identify the best value proposal and that all evaluation criteria are applied as stated in the solicitation.
- Contractors: Prepare proposals that clearly demonstrate value in terms of both price and non-price factors.
- Agencies: Oversee that source selection decisions are justified and documented based on best value principles.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to ensure government acquisitions achieve the best possible outcome, not just the lowest cost.
- It impacts daily contracting by requiring a balanced approach to proposal evaluation.
- Common pitfalls include overemphasizing price or failing to document how best value was determined.