What should the solicitation describe regarding past performance?

What should the solicitation describe regarding past performance?

• A. Only offerors with relevant performance history will be evaluated
• B. The approach for evaluating past performance, including evaluating offerors with no relevant history, and allow identification of past or current contracts for similar efforts
• C. Past performance is not considered
• D. Only positive past performance data is used

Answer: (B)

In a FAR Part 15 solicitation, the past performance evaluation approach must be described. The solicitation should spell out how past performance will be assessed, including the data sources, the criteria for rating or scoring, and how those findings will influence the overall decision. Importantly, it should address offerors with little or no relevant history, explaining how their potential will be evaluated despite limited past performance. It should also authorize the identification and consideration of past or current contracts for similar efforts, so evaluators can compare relevant experience and determine risk. This framing ensures a fair, transparent process where past performance informs risk assessment, rather than excluding new entrants or relying only on positive data. It aligns with standard practice that past performance can affect the outcome even when history is sparse or mixed, and that all offerors should be given a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate capability.

In a FAR Part 15 solicitation, the past performance evaluation approach must be described. The solicitation should spell out how past performance will be assessed, including the data sources, the criteria for rating or scoring, and how those findings will influence the overall decision. Importantly, it should address offerors with little or no relevant history, explaining how their potential will be evaluated despite limited past performance. It should also authorize the identification and consideration of past or current contracts for similar efforts, so evaluators can compare relevant experience and determine risk.

This framing ensures a fair, transparent process where past performance informs risk assessment, rather than excluding new entrants or relying only on positive data. It aligns with standard practice that past performance can affect the outcome even when history is sparse or mixed, and that all offerors should be given a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate capability.