15.606-2 Evaluation
Source: FAR 15.606-2 on acquisition.gov
Unsolicited proposals must be evaluated using specific criteria and coordinated by the agency contact point to ensure fairness, consistency, and alignment with agency needs.
Overview
FAR 15.606-2 outlines the procedures for evaluating unsolicited proposals submitted to federal agencies. The regulation requires that comprehensive evaluations be coordinated by the designated agency contact point, who must ensure that each proposal is properly marked with the required legend for protection. Evaluators are instructed to assess proposals based on several key factors, including the uniqueness and merit of the approach, scientific or technical value, alignment with agency mission, offeror’s capabilities and experience, qualifications of key personnel, and the realism of proposed costs. Upon completion of the evaluation, evaluators must communicate their recommendations to the agency point of contact. This process ensures that unsolicited proposals are reviewed fairly, consistently, and in alignment with agency needs and federal requirements.
Key Rules
- Coordination and Marking
- The agency contact point must coordinate evaluations and ensure each proposal is marked with the legend required by FAR 15.609(d).
- Evaluation Factors
- Evaluators must consider innovation, technical merit, mission contribution, offeror capabilities, key personnel qualifications, and cost realism.
- Notification of Results
- Evaluators must notify the agency contact point of their recommendations after completing the evaluation.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure proper coordination and compliance with evaluation procedures.
- Contractors: Submit proposals that address the evaluation factors and provide supporting documentation.
- Agencies: Oversee the evaluation process and ensure recommendations are properly communicated and documented.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures unsolicited proposals are evaluated objectively and consistently, protecting proprietary information and aligning with agency missions. Contractors should tailor proposals to address the listed evaluation factors. Common pitfalls include failing to address all factors or not providing sufficient detail on cost realism or personnel qualifications.
(a) Comprehensive evaluations shall be coordinated by the agency contact point, who shall attach or imprint on each unsolicited proposal, circulated for evaluation, the legend required by 15.609(d). When performing a comprehensive evaluation of an unsolicited proposal, evaluators shall consider the following factors, in addition to any others appropriate for the particular proposal:
(1) Unique, innovative, and meritorious methods, approaches, or concepts demonstrated by the proposal;
(2) Overall scientific, technical, or socioeconomic merits of the proposal;
(3) Potential contribution of the effort to the agency’s specific mission;
(4) The offeror’s capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, or unique combinations of these that are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives;
(5) The qualifications, capabilities, and experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, or key personnel critical to achieving the proposal objectives; and
(6) The realism of the proposed cost.
(b) The evaluators shall notify the agency point of contact of their recommendations when the evaluation is completed.