Source Selection Step by Step

CHAPTER 16SELECTING A RATING METHOD

Typically, when proposals are evaluated for tradeoff, they receive a score or rating of some sort, to help the contracting officer, source selection authority, or both determine the competitive range (if discussions are to be held) and select the successful contractor(s). It’s important to note, however, that the scores themselves are not binding on the contracting officer or other source selection authority but are looked upon as guides for these individuals and other source selection officials. The FAR does not refer to “scoring” per se, but instead calls the scoring process a “rating method.”

FAR 15.305(a) ...