15.606-1 Receipt and initial review
Source: FAR 15.606-1 on acquisition.gov
Agencies must screen unsolicited proposals against specific criteria before evaluation, and promptly notify offerors of acceptance or rejection with reasons.
Overview
FAR 15.606-1 outlines the procedures agencies must follow when receiving and initially reviewing unsolicited proposals. The agency contact point is responsible for determining whether the proposal meets specific criteria before a comprehensive evaluation is initiated. These criteria include verifying the proposal's validity, relevance to agency needs and mission, sufficiency of technical and cost information, merit, proper authorization, and compliance with marking requirements. If the proposal meets all requirements, the agency must acknowledge receipt and process it. If not, the agency must promptly notify the offeror in writing, explaining the reasons for rejection and the proposal's disposition.
Key Rules
- Initial Screening of Unsolicited Proposals
- The agency contact point must verify that the proposal meets seven specific criteria before proceeding to a full evaluation.
- Prompt Acknowledgment or Rejection
- Proposals meeting requirements are acknowledged and processed; those that do not are rejected with written explanation to the offeror.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure proposals are screened for compliance with all listed criteria before evaluation.
- Contractors: Submit proposals that are complete, authorized, and properly marked, with sufficient technical and cost information.
- Agencies: Provide timely written feedback to offerors regarding acceptance or rejection and next steps.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures only valid, relevant, and complete unsolicited proposals are considered, saving agency resources and providing clarity to offerors.
- Contractors should carefully review submission requirements to avoid rejection.
- Common pitfalls include missing information, lack of proper authorization, or failure to comply with marking requirements.
(a) Before initiating a comprehensive evaluation, the agency contact point shall determine if the proposal-
(1) Is a valid unsolicited proposal, meeting the requirements of 15.603(c);
(2) Is suitable for submission in response to an existing agency requirement (see 15.602);
(3) Is related to the agency mission;
(4) Contains sufficient technical information and cost-related or price-related information for evaluation;
(5) Has overall scientific, technical, or socioeconomic merit;
(6) Has been approved by a responsible official or other representative authorized to obligate the offeror contractually; and
(7) Complies with the marking requirements of 15.609.
(b) If the proposal meets these requirements, the contact point shall promptly acknowledge receipt and process the proposal.
(c) If a proposal is rejected because the proposal does not meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection, the agency contact point shall promptly inform the offeror of the reasons for rejection in writing and of the proposed disposition of the unsolicited proposal.