The contracting officer must evaluate all offers in accordance with the evaluation factors. Contract award must be made in accordance with the basis established in the solicitation that defines best value for the purchase. The contracting officer must review and confirm the selected offeror’s eligibility for award on SAM.gov and on the Postal Service’s Decline to Accept or Consider Proposals List and determine that the price is fair and reasonable. The best value rationale must be documented using the Simplified Purchasing Template and included in the contract file. All awards must be reviewed and approved as discussed in Section 2-41, Obtain Selected Reviews and Approvals.
When written solicitations are used, the contract award is made by execution of a contract by both parties. When oral solicitations are used, the contract award is made by written acceptance of, or performance against the contract, by the supplier. To ensure that both parties are fully aware of their contractual responsibilities, contracting officers should request that the successful offeror sign and return the contract.
Awardees can be notified using the notification of award letter, revised as necessary, contained in Section 3-1, Award Contract and Notify Suppliers.
