Adequate price competition is achieved when:

Adequate price competition is achieved when:

• A. Two or more responsible offerors submit priced offers that satisfy requirements
• B. Only one offer is received
• C. The price is the lowest among all offers
• D. The government lacks requirements

Answer: (A)

Adequate price competition means there are at least two qualified, responsible offerors who submit priced offers that meet the agency’s requirements. Having more than one legitimate offer allows the government to compare prices and other factors, ensuring competition drives a fair, reasonable price and a capable performance outcome. If only a single offer is received, there isn’t real competition, regardless of how low that price might be. Merely having the lowest price among offers does not by itself establish adequate competition—the presence of multiple valid offers is what matters. And if the government has no requirements, there is nothing to bid on, so competition cannot occur.

Adequate price competition means there are at least two qualified, responsible offerors who submit priced offers that meet the agency’s requirements. Having more than one legitimate offer allows the government to compare prices and other factors, ensuring competition drives a fair, reasonable price and a capable performance outcome. If only a single offer is received, there isn’t real competition, regardless of how low that price might be. Merely having the lowest price among offers does not by itself establish adequate competition—the presence of multiple valid offers is what matters. And if the government has no requirements, there is nothing to bid on, so competition cannot occur.