1. Phases of the Contracting Process
Pre-Award
Requirements
Definition
Pre-Solicitation & Planning
Solicitation
Evaluation
Award
Post Award
Market Research
IPT
Requests for Information/ Sources Sought Notices
Determine Rough Orders of Magnitude
Industry Days/ One-on-One/ Technical Interchange
Site Visits
Market Research
Acquisition Strategy
ARP Development
Socioeconomic approval
Synopsis
Information Security/ Privacy Issues
Forecast
IPT
Pre-solicitation Conferences
Document Development
Release to Public
Amendments
Protest
Pre-proposal conferences
Review EPLS
Technical Evaluation
Contract Specialist Review of Contractor Submission
Cost/Price Evaluation/Audit
Negotiation/ Discussions
Review of Subcontracting Requirements
Responsibility Determination/ EEO
Reviews
Congressional Notification
Review EPLS
Signatures
Contract Distribution
Protests
Post-Award Conferences
Debriefings
Modifications
Disputes
Claims
Warranty
Technical Surveillance
Exercise Options
Closeout
SCRIPT:
These are the main phases of the contracting process. The information contained in the Acquisition Requirements Package (ARP) provided by the requiring activity (customer) plays a key role throughout each of the phases of the contracting process.
Requirements Definition and Pre-Solicitation and Planning Phases—These are the first steps in the contracting process. During these phases, we are building the foundation for the contract that will be awarded for your requirement. You play a key role in these phases, as this is when you conduct market research on your requirement and document the results in the Market Research Worksheet. You also develop the documentation for the Acquisition Requirements Package (ARP), which includes the Performance Work Statement or Product Description, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, and draft Evaluation Plan. You also define and document Information Security/Privacy issues during this phase. If an Integrated Product Team (IPT) is required, this is when you should initiate the first meeting. Based on the documentation you provide, you and the TAC contracting team will collaboratively develop an acquisition strategy for the requirement.
NOTES:
Review slide.
Script continued on following page.
TAC Overview 13
TAC Overview

2. Phases of the Contracting Process
Continued
SCRIPT:
The ARP documents will be utilized throughout the contracting process. If the foundation is rocky (i.e., the ARP documents including market research documentation is not clear and complete), we may experience problems during the other phases of the contracting process, possibly leading to delay in solicitation issuance and contract award and even protests or contractor disputes later on. That is why we spend so much time and effort during these phases.
Solicitation Phase—During the Solicitation Phase, the Contract Specialist will draft the solicitation, which will include the Performance Work Statement or product description that you provided in the Acquisition Requirements Package (ARP). The Contract Specialist will issue the solicitation. Your input may be required during this phase, if there are questions about technical requirements. We may have to issue an amendment, if changes to the solicitation are needed. Contractors may submit protests at this time if they have an objection to the solicitation. This could happen if the technical requirements are not clearly laid out or if we unduly restrict competition.
Evaluation Phase—During the Evaluation Phase, you will be requested to conduct a technical evaluation to assess how well the offerors meet the requirements in the Performance Work Statement or Product Description. If the requirement is for services, the evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the approach delineated in the Evaluation Plan that you provided as part of the ARP. We may use the IGCE to assess the offerors’ understanding of the requirement. The Contracting Officer will also use the IGCE to conduct price analysis, which aids in the determination of price reasonableness.
Award Phase—During the Award Phase, the Contract Specialist will draft the award document and submit it for legal and TAC Division Chief reviews, as required, prior to signature. The PWS and product description provided in the ARP during the Pre-Solicitation and Planning Phase are part of the contract. The Contracting Officer appoints a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) to provide surveillance on service contracts in accordance with the Quality Assurance Plan.
Solicitation
Closeout
Market Research
Acquisition Strategy
ARP Development
Socioeconomic approval
Synopsis
Information Security/ Privacy Issues
Forecast
IPT
Pre-solicitation Conferences
Document Development
Release to Public
Amendments
Protest
Pre-proposal conferences
Reviews
Congressional Notification
Review EPLS
Signatures
Contract Distribution
Protests
Post-Award Conferences
Debriefings
Modifications
Disputes
Claims
Warranty
Technical Surveillance
Exercise Options
Pre-Solicitation & Planning
Evaluation
Award
Post Award
Market Research
Requests for Information/ Sources Sought Notices
Determine Rough Orders of Magnitude
Industry Days/ One-on-One/ Technical Interchange
Site Visits
Requirements
Definition
Technical Evaluation
Contract Specialist Review of Contractor Submission
Cost/Price Evaluation/Audit
Negotiation/ Discussions
Review of Subcontracting Requirements
Responsibility Determination/ EEO
Pre-Award
TAC Overview
TAC Overview

3. Phases of the Contracting Process
Continued
SCRIPT:
Post-Award Phase—During the Post-Award Phase, the Contracting Officer may conduct a Post-Award Conference (required when the contract is $5 million or more) to review the contract including the PWS, product description, and QASP with the contractor. The COTR will track contractor performance in accordance with the QASP. If changes to the contract during contract performance are required, then the Contracting Officer will issue a modification to the contract. If the change impacts the PWS or product description, you may be contacted to help revise these documents. The contractor may submit a protest at contract award or even a claim or dispute during performance, which may adversely affect delivery of required services or products or cost the Government additional money.
So you see that the documents that you provide as part of the ARP play a key role throughout the phases of the contracting process. That is why we spend so much time in the Requirements Definition and Pre-Solicitation and Planning Phases to make sure they accurately reflect your requirements and provide a clear description of performance requirements to the contractor.
Let’s take a few moments to determine where certain examples fit into the phases.     
NOTES:
Emphasize role of CO vs. COTR.
Conduct Phases exercise. (Directions on following page.)
Solicitation
Closeout
Market Research
Acquisition Strategy
ARP Development
Socioeconomic approval
Synopsis
Information Security/ Privacy Issues
Forecast
IPT
Pre-solicitation Conferences
Document Development
Release to Public
Amendments
Protest
Pre-proposal conferences
Reviews
Congressional Notification
Review EPLS
Signatures
Contract Distribution
Protests
Post-Award Conferences
Debriefings
Modifications
Disputes
Claims
Warranty
Technical Surveillance
Exercise Options
Pre-Solicitation & Planning
Evaluation
Award
Post Award
Market Research
Requests for Information/ Sources Sought Notices
Determine Rough Orders of Magnitude
Industry Days/ One-on-One/ Technical Interchange
Site Visits
Requirements
Definition
Technical Evaluation
Contract Specialist Review of Contractor Submission
Cost/Price Evaluation/Audit
Negotiation/ Discussions
Review of Subcontracting Requirements
Responsibility Determination/ EEO
Pre-Award
TAC Overview
TAC Overview