2-26 Develop Proposal Evaluation Strategy

The proposal evaluation strategy defines the overall approach for evaluating submitted responses to the RFP. 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 its critical success factors.
• Defines the processes and proposal evaluation factors used to assess supplier proposals.

The proposal evaluation strategy shapes the project; it sets the direction of supplier selection and the subsequent contract. Supplier proposals are rejected or selected based on the evaluation. A detailed evaluation strategy, based on relevant key proposal evaluation factors, is needed to understand a supplier’s proposal and assess what the impact would be on the Postal Service if the supplier is awarded a contract. Including inappropriate proposal evaluation factors in the proposal evaluation strategy will cause problems during actual proposal evaluation.

The client and CO develop the proposal evaluation strategy, which should include the following:

• Best value definition.
• Proposal evaluation factors.
• Proposal evaluation process.