2-26 Develop Proposal Evaluation Strategy

The proposal evaluation strategy defines the overall approach for evaluating proposals. The proposal evaluation strategy:

• Forms the general framework to establish the value sought in the purchase.
• Sets the direction for the overall evaluation process.
• Specifies the priorities for the project and
• Defines the processes and proposal evaluation factors used to assess supplier proposals.

The proposal evaluation strategy shapes the purchase by setting the direction of supplier evaluation and selection. A detailed evaluation strategy, based on evaluation factors, is needed to understand a supplier's proposal and assess the potential impact on the Postal Service if the supplier is awarded a contract. The evaluation factors in the proposal evaluation strategy should be tailored to the purchase: if simplified purchasing procedures will be used, a streamlined proposal evaluation process should be used (see Section 2-43, Simplified Purchasing for more information). The purchase/SCM team develops the proposal evaluation strategy, which should address the following:

• The definition of best value for the particular purchase.
• Evaluation factors.
• Proposal evaluation process.

Best value and evaluation factors are discussed in this section. For information about the proposal evaluation process, see Section 2-31, Implement Proposal Evaluation Strategy.