Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Source Selection Process

In the context of the Buy-Quiet Process Roadmap, the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable option requires the Contracting Officer to select the lowest priced product from among three that meet or exceed the technical requirements. The Requestor provides the Contracting Officer with three acceptable sources, and the Contracting Officer makes the selection and awards a contract. This approach is used when product-specific noise emission data is available for three or more products that all meet the baseline noise emission requirements but the purchase price exceeds the micropurchase threshold. A specification must be prepared, and shop/field verification are required. No consideration or credit is given for noise emissions that are lower than the criterion.

The Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Process is cited in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as the appropriate source selection approach when three or more technically acceptable proposals are received.

From FAR 15.101-2 Lowest price technically acceptable source selection process

• The lowest price technically acceptable source selection process is appropriate when best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price.
• When using the lowest price technically acceptable process, the following apply:
  • The evaluation factors and significant subfactors that establish the requirements of acceptability shall be set forth in the solicitation. Solicitations shall specify that award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for non-cost factors. If the contracting officer documents the file pursuant to 15.304(c)(3)(iii) , past performance need not be an evaluation factor in lowest price technically acceptable source selections. If the contracting officer elects to consider past performance as an evaluation factor, it shall be evaluated in accordance with 15.305 . However, the comparative assessment in 15.305(a)(2)(i) does not apply. If the contracting officer determines that a small business’ past performance is not acceptable, the matter shall be referred to the Small Business Administration for a Certificate of Competency determination, in accordance with the procedures contained in Subpart 19.6 and 15 U.S.C. 637(b)(7) .
  • Tradeoffs are not permitted.
  • Proposals are evaluated for acceptability but not ranked using the non-cost/price factors.
  • Exchanges may occur (see 15.306 ).