2-43.8 Contract Award

The best value rationale must be documented using the Simplified Purchasing Template and included in the contract file.

Contract award must be made in accordance with the basis established in the solicitation. Before contract award, the contracting officer must determine that the price is fair and reasonable. All awards valued at $250,000 and above 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, a purchase order by the supplier. In order to ensure that both parties are fully aware of their contractual responsibilities, contracting officers should request that the successful offeror sign and return the purchase order.

Awardees can be notified using the notification of award letter, revised as necessary, contained in Section 3-1, Award Contract and Notify Suppliers.