This is the second in a series of blogs that I will do related to the recently issued memorandum detailing the Department of Defense (DoD) Source Selection Procedures for acquisitions utilizing FAR Part 15 procedures (see the link below). The purpose of this new document is to standardize the methodology and approach that DoD uses to conduct competitively negotiated source selections. The procedures defined are effective as of July 1, 2011.

The DoD Source Selection Procedures describes two processes that may be used to develop the strategies for competitive acquisitions. The two processes are:

•    Tradeoff Source Selection Process (see FAR 15.101-1 link below). This process permits a tradeoff non-cost factors and cost/price and allows the government to make an award to other than the lowest priced proposal or make an award to other than the highest technically rated proposal in order to make a "best value" award. In addition, this procedures document details various rating approaches when evaluating proposals if using the tradeoff process.

•    Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Source Selection Process (see FAR 15.101-2 link below). The LPTA process is used when the government decides it can get the best value by making an award to the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price. The procedures document goes into details as to how the general principles of source selection can also be applied to this process.

View the presentation on DOD Source Selection Procedures from the TGIC Exchange Briefing held on 16 August 2011

/media/21586/source%20selection%20procedures%20(5-9-11%20orlando).pdf

Subpart 15.1-Source Selection Processes and Techniques

https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/Subpart%2015_1.html#wp1095855

DOD Source Selection Procedures

http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA007183-10-DPAP.pdf