Best Value Source Selection Using Tradeoffs

Overview

Learn how to appropriately use the tradeoff approach to yield a best-value acquisition. You will practice the strategy of achieving best value in negotiated procurements using the tradeoff process by analyzing source selection cases and applying your learning to real-world scenarios that will make your next acquisition a success.

Who Attends

This course is designed for members of an acquisition team who expect to participate in a tradeoff source selection.

Course Level: Intermediate
CLP: 16 | CPE: 16
Duration: 2 Days

Price: $ 1339.00 Course prices shown here do not include a credit card surcharge. Payments by ACH, EFT, or check do not include the surcharge and are offered at a lower price. At checkout, you may choose a payment method that avoids the credit card surcharge.
A 3% credit card surcharge will be applied.

Course Details

FAQs Technology Requirements

For Groups

Volume Discounts (5+ Seats) Private Group Training Icon

Private Group Training

Available Dates

Guaranteed to Run are designated with a

August 27 - August 28, 2026

Class ID: 261074006

Virtual

10 AM - 6 PM EST

November 16 - November 17, 2026

Class ID: 261074008

Virtual

9 AM - 5 PM EST

December 21 - December 22, 2026

Class ID: 261074009

Virtual

9 AM - 5 PM EST

Learning Objectives

Use the tradeoff method to select the best value offer for award

Additional Features

Learn More

Course Activities

Course Topics

Introduction to Best Value Source Selection Using Tradeoffs

Best Value
Basic Buying Processes
Comparison of Federal Government Processes
Policy Background for Obtaining Best Value
Rules for Obtaining Best Value
Summary
Exercise: Are Tradeoffs Appropriate?

Acquisition Planning

Acquisition Planning Process
Deciding When the Tradeoff Process Is Appropriate
Organizing for Source Selection
Summary
Exercise: The More You Know

Selecting Evaluation Factors

Responsibility for the Source Selection Plan
Latitude in Selecting Evaluation Factors and Significant Subfactors
Ground Rules for Selecting Factors
Scoring Methods for the Tradeoff Process
Preparing the RFP
Evaluating Proposals Pursuant to the RFP
Summary
Exercise: Evaluation Factors for the Ash-Laden Lake
Exercise: Case Study: Key Personnel
Exercise: Case Study: Mark-Up Alone

Evaluating Technical and Cost Proposals

Proposal Parts
Complex Requirements
Organizing for Proposal Evaluation
Proposal Evaluation Board Nominations
Instructing the Proposal Evaluation Board
Standard Formats
Proposal Evaluation Board Process
Cost Proposals
Cost Realism Analysis and Probable Cost
Summary
Exercise: Case Study: No Score Change on Reeval
Exercise: Case Study: Only the Most Competitive to Present

Exchanges Other than Negotiations

Notification of Intent in the RFP
Clarifications
Negotiations
Summary
Exercise: Clarifications or Negotiations?
Exercise: Case Study: Equality?

Establishing the Competitive Range and Holding Negotiations

Establishing the Competitive Range
Holding Competitive Negotiations
Proposal Revisions
Summary
Exercise: Establishing the Competitive Range
Exercise: Misleading Negotiations?
Exercise: Unequal Negotiations?
Exercise: Case Study: One is a Lonely Number
Exercise: Case Study: The Canceled RFP
Exercise: Case Study: More Misleading Negotiations?

Selecting a Contractor for Award

Discretionary Power
Rationality and Consistency
Treating Cost in Tradeoff Source Selection
Cost-Reimbursement Contracting
Documentation
Independence of the Source Selection Authority
The Source Selection Decision
Summary
Exercise: Selecting a Contractor for Award
Exercise: The Lower Priced Award
Exercise: Case Study: The High Cost Award
Exercise: Case Study: Unstated Factors?
Exercise: Case Study: Evaluation of Final Proposals

Notifications and Debriefings

Notifications
Debriefings
Summary

Protests

Definition of a Protest
Forums for Protest
Impact of Protests
Eligibility and Timeliness
Remedies
Summary

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COURSE

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Explore a more structured source selection approach for your high-dollar value, complex, or critical acquisitions to help ensure the organizational outcomes you’re looking for. You will gain the knowl...

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Best Value Source Selection Using Tradeoffs

Overview

Who Attends

For Groups

Available Dates

Learning Objectives

Additional Features

Credits

This course is part of the following Management Concepts Certificate Programs:

Core Courses

Elective Courses

Prerequisites:

Mandatory

Suggested

Course Activities

Course Topics