CFCM Source Selection 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which FAR provision requires that evaluation factors and their relative importance be stated in the solicitation?
- FAR 52.212-1
- FAR 15.304(d) (Correct answer)
- FAR 13.106-1
- FAR 36.602-1
Correct answer: FAR 15.304(d)
FAR 15.304(d) mandates that the solicitation state all evaluation factors and subfactors, along with their relative importance, so offerors can tailor their proposals.
Question 2: A proposal that takes exception to a material solicitation requirement is generally considered:
- Acceptable if the offeror explains the rationale in the proposal
- Unacceptable because it fails to conform to the solicitation's terms (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if the price offered is sufficiently low to offset the exception
- Acceptable pending clarification from the contracting officer
Correct answer: Unacceptable because it fails to conform to the solicitation's terms
Proposals that take exception to material requirements are technically unacceptable and cannot be considered for award without amendment of the solicitation.
Question 3: What is the role of the Source Selection Advisory Council (SSAC) in large or complex acquisitions?
- To replace the SSEB and conduct all evaluations directly
- To review the SSEB's findings and provide an independent recommendation to the SSA (Correct answer)
- To approve the solicitation before it is released to industry
- To audit the contracting officer's price negotiation memorandum
Correct answer: To review the SSEB's findings and provide an independent recommendation to the SSA
The SSAC provides a senior-level review of the SSEB's evaluation findings and typically prepares a comparative analysis and recommendation for the SSA's final decision.
Question 4: Under FAR 15.508, within what timeframe must the contracting officer offer a post-award debriefing to an unsuccessful offeror who requests one?
- Within 30 days of award
- Within 5 days of receiving a timely request, or as soon as practicable (Correct answer)
- Within 10 business days of award
- At the contracting officer's discretion with no statutory deadline
Correct answer: Within 5 days of receiving a timely request, or as soon as practicable
FAR 15.508 requires the contracting officer to debrief unsuccessful offerors within 5 days of receiving a timely request for a post-award debriefing.
Question 5: Which source selection scenario is most appropriate for using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology?
- Development of a new weapons system with evolving requirements
- Acquisition of standardized commercial janitorial supplies with well-defined specifications (Correct answer)
- A research and development contract requiring innovative solutions
- A complex IT modernization effort with high performance risk
Correct answer: Acquisition of standardized commercial janitorial supplies with well-defined specifications
LPTA is best suited for well-defined, low-risk requirements where paying a premium for superior quality offers no meaningful benefit to the government.
Question 6: What is 'cost realism analysis' and when is it typically required?
- A comparison of proposed prices to market indices; required for all negotiated contracts
- An evaluation to determine whether proposed costs reflect a clear understanding of the work; typically required for cost-reimbursement contracts (Correct answer)
- A review of an offeror's accounting system; required before any cost-type award
- An analysis of subcontractor prices; required only when subcontracts exceed $1 million
Correct answer: An evaluation to determine whether proposed costs reflect a clear understanding of the work; typically required for cost-reimbursement contracts
Cost realism analysis, required by FAR 15.404-1(d) for cost-reimbursement contracts, assesses whether proposed costs are realistic and consistent with the technical proposal.
Question 7: During source selection, which action by an evaluator would constitute an improper 'technical transfusion'?
- Sharing evaluation criteria among SSEB members
- Disclosing a higher-rated offeror's technical approach to a lower-rated competitor during discussions (Correct answer)
- Discussing proposal strengths at an SSEB consensus meeting
- Forwarding evaluation worksheets to the SSA for review
Correct answer: Disclosing a higher-rated offeror's technical approach to a lower-rated competitor during discussions
Technical transfusion—revealing one offeror's technical solution to another during discussions—is prohibited by FAR 15.306(e) because it misappropriates proprietary information.
CFCM Source Selection 5
Which FAR provision requires that evaluation factors and their relative importance be stated in the solicitation?