ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the potential promises, and cautions the readers about ineffective versus effective implementation of advance contract planning, ethical contracting, competition, socioeconomic contracting, development of a request for proposals (RFP), and management of pre-proposal communications. A truly effective evaluation process is contingent upon effective implementation of the earlier processes in the contracting cycle that are intended to result in a well-planned RFP to solicit proposals from qualified contractors in a full and open competitive environment. The objective of the proposal evaluation is to carefully review all the proposals to select the contractor that best meets the criteria and provides the optimal combination of price (or life cycle cost) and the other criteria stated in the RFP. Weighted criteria emphasize the qualities of the contractors with the best qualifications for the functions that have the greatest importance to the agency. The total weighed score approach to evaluating proposals introduces an element of objectivity into the evaluation of otherwise subjective criteria.
