Source: http://www.wifcon.com/discussion/index.php?/topic/4492-gsa-under-sat-lpta/
Timestamp: 2020-05-30 05:32:22
Document Index: 557015420

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 14', 'art 8', 'art 14', 'art 12', 'art 14', 'art 8', 'art 15']

GSA - Under SAT - LPTA - For Beginners Only - The Wifcon Forums and Blogs
By ContractingPeoplesHatred, August 7, 2018 in For Beginners Only
A RFQ was posted under GSA e-buy for less than SAT but more then micro. Evaluation criteria was LPTA and specifically stated that "Basis of award will be lowest price". Four quotes came back at the same price and were all found technically acceptable. What would be your next step?
Thank you for the response. The case you cited relied upon using FAR Part 14 procedures. As this acquisition is using FAR Part 8 which explicitly states that FAR Part 14 do not apply I don't see how that case resolves my issue. I am going to ask for revised pricing but It is not looking good.
If you reread the decision, you'll see that GAO disagreed with the ACE, and determined that this was not, in fact, a sealed bidding acquisition. Instead, GAO determined that this acquisition actually used FAR subpart 12.6 procedures, which allows for more latitude in their evaluation. All that said, I agree that FAR part 14 does not apply to acquisitions using FAR part 8. Still, the GAO decision does indicate that GAO has upheld use of the equal low bids portion of FAR 14 in acquisitions that used FAR part 15 procedures. It certainly seems like a reasonable procedure, and absent any smoking gun FAR citation, I don't see any other, more reasonable solution, assuming you already asked for a discount and there remains a tie.
I assume you considered FAR 8.405-5(d)
Though I suspect that receiving four equal quotes means that a large business manufacturer quotes the same prices to each of their resellers or otherwise dictates pricing.
Edited August 7, 2018 by RightSaidFed
concur on asking for discount
2 hours ago, ContractingPeoplesHatred said:
RightSaidFed, Thanks for pointing to FAR 8.405-5(d) -- I wasn't previously aware of that. Professional discussion is good.
Original Poster (I cannot use the screen name), In light of the above, I'll adjust my advice--
Step 1. Ask each of the four for a discount. See FAR 8.405-4. Not "revised pricing," but discount. This might solve your problem. If not, go to Step 2.
Step 2. Consider FAR 8.405-5(d). This might solve your problem. If not, go to Step 3.
Step 3. Re-read (and really read!) https://www.gao.gov/decisions/bidpro/402519.htm. This definitely will solve your problem.