BRAND NAME OR EQUAL

1. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Comparative Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-2 (b)(3).

Additional information pertaining to Comparative Evaluation below:

What Comparative Evaluation is:

• It is the direct comparison of one quotation/offer with another in a uniform and fair manner to determine which quote/offer provides the Government what it needs, where and when as identified in the RFQ
• It is an assessment of which response is the “best” as a whole
• Once one quotation/offer is found acceptable, it is compared side by side to the remaining ones, and the “best” one is chosen

What Comparative Evaluation is not:

• It does not individually evaluate quote/offers against specified evaluation factors

• It does not assign a rating using a color, numerical, or other rating methodology
• It does not require additional evaluation to determine if minimal advantage is worth a minimal or normal price difference, but not prohibited
• It is not a low price technically acceptable (LPTA) or trade-off process

  (b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

  (c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.