Source & Authority Information
- •FAR Subpart 15.5 - Preaward, Award, and Postaward Notifications(accessed 2026-01-15)
Understanding Your Debriefing Rights
Requesting and Scheduling Debriefings
Preparing for the Debriefing
- 1Review Evaluation Criteria
Study the solicitation evaluation factors and subfactors. Note the stated importance and weighting of each factor. Prepare questions about how each factor was evaluated for your proposal.
- 2Analyze Your Proposal
Re-read your submitted proposal with fresh eyes. Identify sections where you felt your response was particularly strong or potentially weak. Note any areas of uncertainty or last-minute changes.
- 3Develop Questions
Prepare specific questions about your evaluation. Focus on understanding ratings, weaknesses, and significant discriminators. Avoid yes/no questions in favor of open-ended inquiries that encourage detailed responses.
- 4Assign Team Roles
Designate who will ask questions in each area. Assign someone to take detailed notes. Consider who will lead the discussion and maintain professional tone throughout.
- 5Review Protest Considerations
While the primary goal is learning, be aware of protest timelines and requirements. Note any information that might indicate evaluation errors requiring further review.
Questions to Ask During Debriefings
- What were the primary strengths of our proposal that contributed positively to our evaluation?
- What were the significant weaknesses or deficiencies identified in our technical approach?
- How did our understanding of requirements compare to the winning offeror?
- What aspects of our past performance evaluation affected our rating?
- How did our pricing compare to other offerors and the government estimate?
- What specific improvements would have strengthened our proposal in each evaluation area?
- Were there any compliance issues or missing elements in our submission?
- How did the oral presentation, if applicable, affect overall evaluation?
