When should you pursue a federal opportunity under FAR bidding rules?

What should you check before deciding to bid?

Start with the solicitation method. According to FAR Part 14, sealed bidding requires invitations that describe the Government’s needs clearly, accurately, and completely, and it prohibits unnecessarily restrictive requirements that would unduly limit bidders. The process also requires publicizing the invitation, submitting sealed bids by the stated time and place, evaluating bids without discussions, and making award to the responsible bidder whose bid conforms to the invitation and is most advantageous. If the opportunity uses negotiated source selection instead, FAR 15.304 says the evaluation factors and significant subfactors must be tailored to the acquisition, support meaningful comparison, and reflect the key areas of importance and emphasis. Price or cost is evaluated in every source selection, with a limited DoD, NASA, and Coast Guard exception for certain multiple-award acquisitions. For a bid/no-bid decision, the strongest opportunities are the ones where the rules are clear, the evaluation factors are known, and you can compete on the stated terms without relying on discussions to fix gaps.