Proposal Development

DoD Source Selection Procedures

The Department of Defense (DoD) Source Selection Procedures were established to standardize the methodology and approach the DoD used to conduct competitive negotiated source selections. It outlines a common set of principles and procedures for conducting such acquisitions.

DoD Source Selection Procedures Goal

The goal of the source selection procedure is to ensure the Department’s source selection process delivers quality, timely products and services to the Warfighter and the Nation at the best value for the taxpayer.

The DoD Source Selection Procedures State: [1]

  • Mandatory for all competitive acquisitions utilizing FAR Part 15 procedures
  • Source Selection Authority (SSA) shall be an individual other than the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO) for >$100M
  • Source Selection Advisory Council (SSAC) required >$100M
  • SSAC is required to provide written comparative analysis of proposals and award recommendations to the SSA
  • Required use of standardized rating criteria for the “technical” and “past performance” factors
  • Required use of standardized rating criteria for the “technical” and “past performance” factors
  • Standardized Lowest Price Technically Acceptable process rating criteria
  • Prescribed Source Selection Plan format
  • SSA makes a determination for discussions
  • Provides guidance on the use of Non‐Government advisors
  • Program Management/Requirements Office roles and responsibilities
  • Use of a draft RFP is highly recommended on all acquisitions
  • Cost, Quality, and Past Performance shall be evaluated in every source selection (Note: “Past performance need not be evaluated if the contracting officer, with the PM’s concurrence if a PM is assigned, documents the reason it is not an appropriate evaluation factor in accordance with FAR 15.304(c)(3)(iii).”)
  • Written Narrative Report required by the Source Evaluation Board for the SSA and SSAC

Document: DoD Source Selection Procedures – 1 Apr 2016

When DoD Source Selection Procedures Not Required

These procedures ARE NOT required for the following acquisitions: [1]

  • Competitions where the only evaluated factor is price
  • Basic research and acquisitions where Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) are used in accordance with FAR Part 35 to solicit proposals and award contracts,
  • Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR), and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) acquisitions solicited and awarded in accordance with 15 United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 638.
  • Architect-engineer services solicited and awarded in accordance with FAR Part 36,
  • FAR Part 12 Streamlined Acquisitions
  • Acquisitions using simplified acquisition procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13 (including Part 12 acquisitions using Part 13 procedures),
  • Orders under multiple-award contracts – Fair Opportunity (FAR 16.505 (b)(1))
  • Acquisitions using FAR subpart 8.4.
  • Past performance need not be evaluated if the contracting officer, with the PM’s concurrence if a PM is assigned, documents the reason it is not an appropriate evaluation factor in accordance with FAR 15.304(c)(3)(iii).

AcqLinks and References:

Updated: 1/22/2022

Rank: G3

Leave a Reply