35.016
Broad agency announcement
FAR 35.016 enables agencies to use Broad Agency Announcements for flexible, competitive acquisition of innovative research and development, requiring clear public notice, defined evaluation criteria, and peer review.
Overview
FAR 35.016 establishes the procedures for using Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) in acquiring basic and applied research, as well as certain types of development not tied to specific systems or hardware. BAAs are intended for scientific study and experimentation to advance knowledge or technology, rather than for procuring specific products. Agencies may use BAAs when they expect to receive diverse, meaningful proposals with different technical or scientific approaches.
Key Rules
- BAA Content Requirements
- The BAA must describe the agency’s research interests, selection criteria and their importance, evaluation methods, proposal submission period, and instructions for proposal preparation and submission.
- Publicizing BAAs
- BAAs must be publicized via the Governmentwide point of entry (GPE) at least annually, and may also be published in scientific or technical journals if authorized.
- Proposal Evaluation
- Proposals are evaluated using peer or scientific review based on criteria in the BAA, with written evaluations required for each proposal. Proposals are not compared against each other.
- Selection Basis
- Selection is primarily based on technical merit, relevance to agency programs, and available funding, with cost realism and reasonableness considered as appropriate.
- Synopsis Requirement
- No separate synopsis under FAR 5.2 is required for individual contract actions resulting from BAAs; the BAA notice itself fulfills this requirement.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure BAAs are properly structured, publicized, and that proposals are evaluated and selected per the regulation.
- Contractors: Submit proposals in accordance with BAA instructions and criteria.
- Agencies: Oversee the BAA process, ensure compliance with publication and evaluation requirements, and maintain documentation.
Practical Implications
- BAAs provide a flexible method for agencies to solicit innovative research and development ideas.
- Contractors must pay close attention to the specific instructions and criteria in each BAA.
- Failure to follow BAA requirements can result in proposals not being considered. Agencies must ensure transparency and fairness in the evaluation process.