3 1.1.3 Receive Proposals The CO conducts a "quick look" at the proposals to ensure all parts of the proposals were received and that the offeror’s have complied with the more administrative instructions in the Instructions to Offerors (ITO). CO 3 3 1.1.4 Conduct Initial Evaluation and Write ENs This is one of the more difficult events within the source selection process. Typically teams will review one offeror at a time in order to protect against comparing offerors to each other. The key to conducting the initial evaluation is following Sections L & M verbatim and sticking to the solicitation requirements documents. A best practice is to complete a small portion of the first offeror's evaluation in each factor and ask for ACE review of that early increment of documentation. This will help facilitate quality documentation of the record, while minimizing the amount of scrap and rework. SSEB Chair 50 3 1.1.5 Release Clarification & Communication ENs & Evaluate Responses Certain types of exchanges with the offerors may be performed prior to opening discussions. Typically these exchanges are limited to adverse past performance information or to resolve minor or clerical errors. Past Perf. Factor Chief and CO Concurrent with other Elements 3 1.1.6 Finalize Initial Evaluation Results & Competitive Range The CO writes the Competitive Range Determination and the SSEB ensures proposal evaluations, ENs, and the Initial Evaluation Briefing (IEB) charts are completed. The SSEB Chairperson will draft the SSEB Initial Report and may request an IEB dry-run with the ACE. SSEB Chair 8 3 1.1.7 Perform Legal Review CO provides access to all contract files so attorney advisor can review the IEB and supporting documentation. JAG Concurrent with other Elements 3 1.1.8 Conduct CDP 3 MIRT Review MIRT reviews evaluation, ENs, and Briefing. AFLCMC/ PZC 14
3 1.1.9 Present Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSAC (If applicable) SSEB Chair presents IEB to SSAC SSEB Chair 8 3 1.1.10 Present Initial Evaluation Briefing to SSA SSAC and SSEB present IEB to SSA SSAC Chair 4 3 Decision Point Obtain SSA Preliminary Decision SSA decides to either approve Competitive Range and go into discussions, or to proceed to contract clearance and then contract award SSA 1 2 1.2 Issue Final Proposal Revision (FPR) Request During this phase the SSEB conducts discussions with offeror(s) in the competitive range. This phase ends with a decision brief to the SSA to request the FPR. CO 109 3 1.2.1 Issue Competitive Range Notification Notify offerors excluded from the competitive range. Prepare pre-award debriefing as applicable. CO 1 3 1.2.2 Release Discussion ENs & Initial Ratings ENs & Initial Ratings are transmitted to each respective offeror remaining in the Competitive Range. CO Concurrent with other Elements 3 1.2.3 Follow-up with Offeror(s) Best practice is to meet with each offeror a day or so they get their ENs to give them a chance to ask questions - makes sure they completely understand the issues. It is advisable to extract the initial ratings information directly from the IEB slides (appropriately redacted) and provide it to each respective offeror after converting to .pdf or some other read-only file format. CO 5 3 1.2.4 Respond to ENs All offerors remaining in the competitive range will generate responses to the ENs given them. Some may have questions or need additional time before they can respond. While waiting for the EN responses, the SSEB can ensure they are ready to receive the responses by getting some just-in-time training from the ACE as a refresher on how to disposition EN responses. Offeror(s) 7