**[TECHNICAL EVALUATION GUIDELINES (TEG) TEMPLATE]{.underline}**

***\[Use this template when drafting Attachment (2) to the Technical
Evaluation Request - See ADIP No. 85-2. The Contracting Officer shall
customize this document to address the particular circumstances of the
procurement in question, especially the applicable solicitation
instructions/criteria -- NOTE: [Sections VI and VII are provided as
SAMPLES only]{.underline}. Ensure each page of the TEG is marked "SOURCE
SELECTION INFORMATION-See FAR 3.104".\]***

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Cover Page

**TECHNICAL EVALUATION GUIDELINES (TEG)**

**FOR SOLICITATION NO. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**(Receipt of Guidelines by Technical Evaluation Team Members)**

By my signature[^1] below, I acknowledge my review and understanding of
the *[(insert number of pages]{.underline})* page guideline contained in
the TEG provided for the solicitation identified above.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*(Insert Name and Office Code of Chairperson) (Date)*

Technical Evaluation Team Member No. 1

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*(Insert Name and Office Code of Team Member) (Date)*

Technical Evaluation Team Member No.2

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*(Insert Name and Office Code of Team Member) (Date)*

Technical Evaluation Team Member No. 3

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*(Insert Name and Office Code of Team Member) (Date)*

Technical Evaluation Team Member No. 4

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

*(Insert Name and Office Code of Team Member) (Date)*

Technical Evaluation Team Member No. 5

***[REMINDER]{.underline}: Each Team member is required to sign the
cover page and the Team Chairperson shall forward the fully executed
cover page to the Contracting Officer.***

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 1 of \_\_\_\_

**[TECHNICAL EVALUATION GUIDELINES (TEG) FOR]{.underline}**

**[SOLICITATION NO.
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}**

**(PREPARED BY *[Insert Name of Contracting Officer]{.underline}*,
CONTRACTING OFFICER, DTS- \_\_\_\_\_)**

I.  **[PURPOSE]{.underline}**. This document provides the technical
    evaluation criteria and the evaluation process to be used in
    evaluating the Volpe Center's solicitation cited above. This
    guideline is prepared in accordance with the solicitation
    instructions and evaluation criteria and consistent with the TSC
    Order 4200.9A titled "Guidelines for Conducting the Evaluation of
    Solicited Technical Proposals" and the Federal Acquisition
    Regulations (FAR) Part 15, and the Transportation Acquisition Manual
    (TAM) Chapter 1215.

> ***It is imperative that the proposals be evaluated strictly in
> accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation,
> following the evaluation and scoring methodology established in the
> Technical Evaluation Plan. The solicitation announces to competitors
> the basis, including the evaluation criteria and their relative
> importance, upon which the successful offeror(s) will be chosen. In
> order for the evaluation of proposals received in response to the
> solicitation to be legally valid, the evaluation must be conducted in
> accordance with the criteria stated in the solicitation.***

**II. [BACKGROUND]{.underline}**. *Describe the following under this
heading*:

a)  *Product or services being acquired, including identification of the
    sponsoring agency and the Volpe Center Division responsible for
    initiating the Procurement Request (PR);*

b)  *Anticipated contract type, including applicable FAR citations; and*

c)  *Type of award anticipated, that is, single or multiple award.*

**III. [TECHNICAL EVALUATION TEAM]{.underline}**.

a)  The Volpe Center Technical Evaluation Team (TET) identified for this
    solicitation is composed of the following individuals who
    collectively represent the technical requirements reflected in the
    solicitation's Statement of Work:

> **[Name]{.underline}** *(Identify the Chairperson)* **[Office
> Code]{.underline}**
>
> **1.**
>
> **2.**
>
> **3.**
>
> **4.**
>
> **5.**

b)  Among these individuals, *[(cite quantity)]{.underline}* members are
    assigned to Volpe Center Divisions other

> than the Division responsible for initiating the solicitation. Also,
> the Chairperson is a *[(cite Grade)]{.underline}* as required by the
> Volpe Center directive cited above. In addition, [(*cite name and
> Office Code of the Contracting Officer*]{.underline}) is assigned as
> the Contracting Officer for this solicitation to ensure the TET is
> made aware of and abides by the solicitation requirements and the
> applicable acquisition regulations.

IV. **[SECURITY]{.underline}**.

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a)  **Proposal Security.** Because the proposals are source selection
    information, they shall be secured, when unattended, by the
    responsible TET member. Day to day proposal security shall be the
    responsibility of all TET members.

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 2 of \_\_\_\_

b)  **Rules of Conduct.** Proposal Evaluators and Source Selection
    personnel, other than the Contracting Officer, shall not discuss
    contractual matters such as the solicitation status, proposals (to
    include number or identity of offerors), discussions, and
    negotiations and award of contracts with prospective offerors or any
    other individuals who are not participants in the evaluation
    process. All information contained in proposals, or pertaining to
    the selection process, is sensitive. During the period between the
    receipt of proposals and notification by the Contracting Officer
    that an award has been made, all TET members shall ensure that:

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1.  Details of the acquisition activities are not made known, wholly or
    in part, to anyone other than authorized evaluators and source
    selection personnel. Make sure that the contents of a proposal are
    not discussed within earshot of personnel who have no official need
    to know the contents (including both Government and Contractor
    personnel).

2.  Any attempt by an offeror to alter a technical proposal already
    submitted shall be referred to the Contracting Officer.

3.  No information is provided to an individual offeror which may
    improve their position to the disadvantage of a competitor.

4.  There shall be no contact with any offeror unless approved by the
    Contracting Officer.

5.  The evaluation is not done in an area where outsiders, or Government
    personnel who do not require access to the proposal, move around and
    have opportunity to read any part of the proposal. If an outsider
    (includes On-site Contractor personnel) enters a private office
    where the proposal is being worked on, the proposal should be
    covered or placed in a drawer until the outsider leaves.

6.  All waste paper containing proposal or evaluation notes or data
    shall be disposed of in a separate waste file in the technical
    evaluation area. If a computer is used to prepare evaluation
    documentation, then every attempt should be made to save information
    on a disk rather than on the computer hard drive. All material shall
    be disposed of by the TET Chairperson at the conclusion of the
    source selection. Unclassified documents, records, and reports
    associated with the selection process shall be marked "SOURCE
    SELECTION SENSITIVE."

7.  No TET member may reproduce any part of an offeror's proposal
    without permission of the Contracting Officer. All copies of
    proposals must be returned to the Contracting Officer/Specialist
    upon notification of award for proper disposition. Proposals should
    be hand carried to the Contracting Officer/Specialist with all
    identifier information properly concealed.

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V.  **[TECHNICAL EVALUATION PROCESS MILESTONES]{.underline}.** The
    Contracting Officer has met with the TET Chairperson to address the
    technical evaluation criteria. The TET Chairperson has reviewed the
    solicitation and agrees with the technical evaluation criteria and
    their weights. Outlined below are the milestones and planned/actual
    due dates related to the Technical Evaluation process:

> **[Milestones]{.underline}** **[Due Date]{.underline}**

1.  Determination of the Evaluation Criteria and their weights

2.  Evaluation of each Offeror's Past Performance Information

3.  Evaluation of each Offeror's Staffing Qualifications/Resumes

4.  Evaluation of each Offeror's Oral/Hypothetical Presentations

5.  Each TET member completes its evaluation score worksheets

6.  TET summarizes its evaluation score worksheets

7.  Based upon TET scoring, the TET ranks the Offerors

8.  TET prepares & forwards to the CO the technical evaluation report

9.  Debrief unsuccessful Offerors and/or Management

> Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 3 of \_\_\_\_

VI. **[TECHNCIAL EVALUATION PROCESS.]{.underline}** (***The following
    [SAMPLE TEXT]{.underline} is provided to [assist you]{.underline} in
    drafting this section of the template. Customize this section to
    reflect the evaluation criteria and methodology specified in the
    solicitation in question, including the applicable technical
    evaluation plan.)***

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a)  Prior to commencing the evaluation of the proposal(s), each TET
    member **[must]{.underline}** read the solicitation especially
    Sections C, L and M. The proposal(s) shall be evaluated in
    **[strict]{.underline}** accordance with the technical evaluation
    criteria addressed in Sections L and M of the solicitation.

b)  The following summarizes the process for evaluating each Offeror's
    technical proposal.

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1)  Each TET member shall read all proposals in their entirety and
    conduct his or her own independent assessment of each offeror's
    conformance with the evaluation criteria.

2)  Each TET member shall use the evaluation scoring sheets contained in
    the evaluation plan and attached as appendices to these guidelines.
    The score sheets cannot introduce a completely new element or
    evaluation criteria. Evaluation criteria cannot be modified without
    a formal amendment to the Request For Proposals (RFP).

3)  Each TET member will read and assign a score for each element and/or
    sub-element contained in the evaluation score sheet, determine the
    adjectival rating for the proposal evaluation factor, multiply the
    numerical value assigned to that adjectival value by the weight
    assigned to that evaluation factor or sub-factor to arrive at its
    numerical value.

4)  In addition to the worksheets for each proposal, each TET member
    shall provide a detailed narrative which justifies the numerical
    scoring. Both strengths and weaknesses should be discussed and,
    naturally, the comments should be consistent with the numerical
    score and adjectival ratings.

5)  After all TET members have completed their technical evaluation,
    they normally: (i) meet as a group under the direction of the TET
    Chairperson to discuss individual evaluations; and (ii) arrive at a
    written consensus report which includes the technical ranking of
    proposals including specific technical comments for each proposal.

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VII. [**TECHNICAL EVALUATION** **CRITERIA**]{.underline}**. (*The
     following [SAMPLE TEXT]{.underline} is provided to [assist
     you]{.underline} in drafting this section of the template. Please
     ensure you describe the evaluation criteria/instructions specified
     in the solicitation in question, including the applicable technical
     evaluation plan. [DO NOT COPY THE TEXT OF THIS SECTION AS IT IS
     ONLY A SAMPLE.]{.underline})***

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a)  For this solicitation, each of the three technical evaluation
    criteria are given an equal weight, and the sub-criteria under each
    are also weighted equally. The three technical evaluation criteria
    are:

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1)  Past Performance

2)  Staffing

3)  Technical Understanding and Management Approach (Oral Presentation)

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b)  The TET shall use a score ranging from 0 to 100 to represent the
    strengths, weaknesses, and probability of deficiency to be
    corrected, for each of the technical evaluation criteria. In
    addition, there is a corresponding narrative definition for the
    ratings of Exceptional, Acceptable, Marginal and Unacceptable. The
    definition of the ratings and their corresponding scores are listed
    below:

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 4 of \_\_\_\_

> **Rating Definition Score**
>
> Exceptional Exceeds evaluation standards; has high 85-100
>
> probability of satisfying the requirement;
>
> and has no significant weakness.
>
> Acceptable Meets evaluation standards; has good 70-84
>
> probability of satisfying the requirement;
>
> and any weakness can be readily corrected.
>
> Marginal Fails to meet evaluation standards; or has 60-69
>
> low probability of satisfying the require-
>
> ment; or has significant deficiencies but
>
> correctable.
>
> Unacceptable Fails to meet a minimum requirement; and Below
>
> deficiency requires a major revision to the 60
>
> proposal to make it correct.

c)  Each TET member shall use a standard worksheet designed to address
    each of the technical evaluation criterion being evaluated. Each TET
    member will include detailed narratives in the worksheet to
    specifically mention the strengths and deficiencies in support of
    the rating given. When each TET member has completed his/her
    evaluation, each TET member's scoring worksheet shall be integrated
    into a TET's evaluation sheet to rank each Offeror.

d)  A complete set of worksheets is included in the Appendix, and
    directions on how to evaluate each of these technical evaluation
    criteria is further explained below.

> 1\) **Past Performance**.

(a) The Volpe Center's Acquisition Management Division has issued with
    the solicitation, a standard "Past Performance Evaluation Form,"
    VNTSC F 4200.7, with instructions for a third party of the Offeror's
    choice to complete and return for evaluation. The five sub-factors
    included in the past performance report are:

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(1) Quality of Product/Service

(2) Cost Control

(3) Timeliness of Performance

(4) Business Relations

(5) Overall Satisfaction Rating

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(b) The rating criteria for the above sub-factors are provided in the
    instructions, and the numeric scores used in the past performance
    report are between 0 (Unsatisfactory) and 4 (Exceptional). If there
    is any reason to question the validity of the report, the TET will
    further check the offeror's references independent of the given
    reports.

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 5 of \_\_\_\_

(c) Section L of the solicitation requested that each Offeror select no
    more than five contracts that it considered most relevant in
    demonstrating its ability to perform the proposed effort. After the
    TET determines the relevancy of the reports received, each TET
    member will enter the score for these relevant contracts directly to
    the worksheet (Refer to the Appendix A worksheet). On the worksheet,
    an average score of these reports is automatically calculated, which
    is then converted to a weighted score carrying one-third of the
    total weight. If fewer than five (5) Past Performance Reports are
    received, a true average will be calculated based upon the number of
    reports received and no penalty shall be given for fewer than
    five (5) reports. Each TET member will determine whether each
    Offeror's Past Performance Reports submitted is relevant to the
    requirements of the SOW. For purposes of determining relevance
    evaluators shall consider: (1) relationship of past performance to
    the statement of work; (2) currency of past performance (i.e.,
    ongoing or completed within past 3 years; and (3) value of past
    performance effort (i.e., contract value equal or over \$500K). The
    Contracting Officer will determine the final Past Performance rating
    based on this relevance determination.

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2)  **Staffing**.

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(a) The success of the contract depends heavily on the staffing
    qualification required by the solicitation's Statement of Work. This
    evaluation criteria covers the qualifications of the Senior
    Instructional Designer/Program Manager and Instructional Designer
    identified in the solicitation as key personnel, as well as the
    depth and breadth of the other technical staff. Section L of the
    solicitation requested that each Offeror submit, at a minimum, seven
    resumes. The experience and education requirements of each labor
    category is described in the solicitation's statement of work and
    the TET will use it as a baseline for evaluation of offers. The
    resumes will form the basis of this evaluation.

(b) Each TET member will evaluate the resumes received from each Offeror
    and enter a score to the worksheet (Refer to the Appendix B
    worksheet). If an insufficient number of resumes are received, a
    zero score will be given to the missing portion of the resume. In
    the end, and averaged and weighted score per TET member as well as
    any narrative adjectival rating shall be provided.

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3)  **Technical Understanding And Management Approach (Oral
    Presentation).**

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(a) Instead of submitting lengthy written material for evaluation, an
    oral presentation will be evaluated for this criterion. A one (1)
    hour presentation demonstrating the Offeror's technical
    understanding and management approach to conduct the contract
    effectively will be evaluated. In addition, each Offeror is required
    to explain the approach it would use in carrying out a hypothetical
    task order (Refer to the Appendix B worksheet).

(b) The degree of satisfaction of their answers in the technical and
    management areas shall be scored onto the worksheet by each TET
    member. The Government may request clarification of any points
    arising from the Offeror's presentation which are unclear. At the
    conclusion of the completed oral presentations and clarifications,
    if any, an averaged and weighted score per TET member along with any
    narrative adjectival rating shall be provided.

Attachment (2) to

Technical Evaluation Request dated \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Page 6 of \_\_\_\_

VIII. **[TET CONSENSUS AND REPORT.]{.underline}**

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a)  After the oral presentation, each TET member will complete the
    Appendix C worksheet, together with any narrative adjectival ratings
    for each Offeror. Each of the TET member's scores shall be
    integrated into the team's consensus score for each Offeror. As soon
    as the scoring process is completed, a session will be called with
    all TET members present to reach a

> consensus for the technical evaluation scoring. Once a consensus is
> reached, the technical evaluation report shall be generated.

b)  A standard technical evaluation report shall be prepared and signed
    by each TET member. Using the format prescribed in Attachment A of
    TSC 4200.9A, the report shall summarize: (1) the basis of the
    evaluation; (2) the ranking of the Offerors; (3) strengths and
    weaknesses of each proposal; and (4) the TET activities that
    resolved any disagreements among its members and charted scores.

c)  This technical evaluation report should be completed on or before
    [\_*(Insert date)*]{.underline} and submitted to the Contracting
    Officer for a anticipated contract award date of *[(Insert
    date)]{.underline}*. The TET will then be available to answer any
    questions and/or participate in the debriefing process.

d)  Ensure that Department of Transportation (DOT) forms DOT F 4220.35,
    Cover Page Source Selection Information, and DOT F 4220.36, Cover
    Page Proprietary Information, are used as cover sheets to the
    technical evaluation report. Copies of these forms are available on
    the internet at \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

APPENDICES *(Complete as applicable to the procurement in question.)*

A)  WORKSHEET OF PAST PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

B)  WORKSHEET OF STAFFING AND TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGEMENT
    APPROACH EVALUATIONS

C)  WORKSHEET OF TET SCORES AND THE RANKING OF OFFERORS

[^1]: ***Add or delete signature lines as appropriate based on the
    number of members identified for the Technical Evaluation Team
    assigned to the procurement.***