Opinion ID: 1036021
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Technical Evaluation Process

Text: The technical factors listed in the 2011 Solicitation were (1) mandatory documentation, (2) aircraft performance, (3) safety/risk management (“safety/risk”), (4) past performance, and (5) organizational experience. The 2011 Solicitation emphasized that these non-price factors “when combined, [were] significantly more important than price in the award decision.” J.A. 20264 (emphasis in original). The following language in the 2011 Solicitation explained how the Forest Service would evaluate technical proposals: Mandatory Documentation is a pass/fail factor. The Government will first determine whether a proposal has met the Mandatory Documentation requirements. If it has not, it will be eliminated from further consideration. If the Mandatory Documentation requirements are satisfied, the Gov- ernment will next determine whether Aircraft Performance is acceptable (pass) or unacceptable (fail). Proposals that pass will next receive qualitative evaluations for Aircraft Performance and for each of the remaining three technical evalua- tion factors. J.A. 20262.