34.005-2 Mission-oriented solicitation
Source: FAR 34.005-2 on acquisition.gov
Mission-oriented solicitations must be broadly publicized, focus on mission capabilities rather than specific solutions, and require an Earned Value Management System for performance tracking.
Overview
FAR 34.005-2 outlines the requirements for mission-oriented solicitations, emphasizing broad dissemination, transparency, and flexibility in the acquisition process. The regulation aims to ensure that solicitations for mission-oriented acquisitions are accessible to a wide range of potential offerors and that the requirements focus on mission capabilities rather than specific solutions. It also encourages industry feedback prior to finalizing the solicitation and mandates the use of Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) for tracking performance.
Key Rules
- Advance Notification and Broad Dissemination
- Contracting officers should widely publicize the acquisition, including through the Governmentwide point of entry, and notify a diverse range of potential sources, such as small businesses, research institutions, and, when appropriate, foreign sources.
- Presolicitation Engagement
- When appropriate, hold presolicitation conferences and/or circulate draft solicitations for industry comment, revising the solicitation as needed based on feedback.
- Content of Final Solicitation
- The solicitation must describe mission capabilities, outline objectives and constraints, provide access to relevant Government data, include selection requirements, allow offerors to propose their own technical solutions, and require an EVMS compliant with EIA-748.
- Minimizing Specifications
- Solicitations should avoid referencing or mandating Government specifications or standards unless specifically approved by agency procedures.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure broad notification, facilitate industry engagement, incorporate feedback, and structure solicitations to focus on mission needs and flexibility.
- Contractors: Should review solicitations carefully, propose innovative solutions, and ensure compliance with EVMS requirements if applicable.
- Agencies: Oversee adherence to procedures, especially regarding the use of specifications and standards, and ensure transparency and competition.
Practical Implications
- This section promotes competition and innovation by encouraging broad participation and flexible technical approaches. It helps prevent overly prescriptive requirements that could limit solutions. Common pitfalls include failing to publicize widely, not engaging industry early, or mandating unnecessary specifications.
(a) Before issuing the solicitation, whenever practicable and consistent with agency procedures, the contracting officer should take the actions outlined in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2):
(1) Advance notification of the acquisition should be given the widest practicable dissemination, including publicizing through the Governmentwide point of entry (see subpart 5.2) and should be sent to as wide a selection of potential sources as practicable, including smaller and newer firms, Government laboratories, federally funded research and development centers, educational institutions and other not-for-profit organizations, and, if it would be beneficial and is not prohibited, foreign sources.
(2) If appropriate, hold a presolicitation conference (see 15.201) and/or send copies of the proposed solicitation to all prospective offerors for their comments. After evaluation of these comments, the solicitation should be revised, if appropriate.
(b) The contracting officer shall send the final solicitation to all prospective offerors. It shall-
(1) Describe the nature of the need in terms of mission capabilities required, without reference to any specific systems to satisfy the need;
(2) Indicate, and explain when appropriate, the schedule, capability, and cost objectives and any known constraints in the acquisition;
(3) Provide, or indicate how access can be obtained to, all Government data related to the acquisition;
(4) Include selection requirements consistent with the acquisition strategy; and
(5) Clearly state that each offeror is free to propose its own technical approach, main design features, subsystems, and alternatives to schedule, cost, and capability goals.
(6) Require the use of an Earned Value Management System that complies with the guidelines of Electronic Industries Alliance Standard 748 (EIA-748) (current version at time of solicitation). See 34.201 for earned value management systems and reporting requirements.
(c) To the extent practicable, the solicitation shall not reference or mandate Government specifications or standards, unless the agency is mandating a subsystem or other component as approved under agency procedure.