CON 0074: Source Selection Course

Module 1: Source Selection Framework — FAR Part 15 and Legal Foundation

• Explain the regulatory framework governing competitive source selection under FAR Part 15.
• Identify the policy objectives and legal standards that underpin source selection decisions.
• Recognize the roles and responsibilities of key source selection personnel.
• Understand the statutory and regulatory basis for protest rights and legal challenges.

Module 2: Acquisition Strategy and Source Selection Planning

• Develop an effective acquisition strategy aligned with program requirements and market conditions.
• Select appropriate source selection procedures based on the nature and complexity of the requirement.
• Understand the components of a Source Selection Plan (SSP) and its role in the procurement.
• Identify planning considerations that influence solicitation development and evaluation design.

Module 3: Developing the Solicitation — Evaluation Factors, Subfactors, and Criteria

• Draft clear, measurable evaluation factors and subfactors appropriate to the acquisition.
• Establish evaluation criteria directly linked to the stated evaluation factors.
• Understand the relationship between solicitation requirements and source selection evaluation.
• Recognize common solicitation development pitfalls that increase protest risk.

Module 4: Organizing and Managing the Source Selection Evaluation Board (SSEB)

• Plan and organize a Source Selection Evaluation Board (SSEB) for effective operation.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of SSEB members, evaluators, and advisors.
• Apply operational practices that promote consistency, objectivity, and documentation integrity.
• Recognize ethical standards and conflicts of interest considerations relevant to SSEB activities.

Module 5: Evaluation Methodologies — LPTA, Tradeoff, and Value-Adjusted Total Evaluated Price

• Compare the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and Tradeoff source selection approaches.
• Identify factors that determine the appropriate evaluation methodology for a given acquisition.
• Apply Value-Adjusted Total Evaluated Price (VATEP) concepts where applicable.
• Understand how evaluation methodology selection affects proposal evaluation and award decisions.

Module 6: Technical, Management, Past Performance, and Cost/Price Proposal Evaluation

• Evaluate technical and management proposals against established evaluation criteria.
• Apply past performance evaluation standards in accordance with FAR requirements.
• Conduct cost and price analysis appropriate to the source selection methodology.
• Document evaluation findings, strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, and uncertainties with specificity.

Module 7: Competitive Range, Discussions, Final Proposal Revisions, and Award

• Determine competitive range and understand requirements for notification and exclusion.
• Conduct meaningful discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR Part 15.
• Manage the final proposal revision process and evaluate revised proposals.
• Apply evaluation results to support a defensible best value award decision.

Module 8: Source Selection Decision Document (SSDD), Debriefings, and Protests

• Prepare a Source Selection Decision Document (SSDD) that documents and supports the award decision.
• Understand debriefing requirements and best practices for post-award communication.
• Recognize common grounds for bid protests and strategies to mitigate protest risk.
• Apply lessons from bid protest decisions to improve source selection practices.