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Can I request a debriefing for a contract award below the simplified acquisition threshold?

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We submitted a bid for a city landscaping contract, NAICS 561730, that was a small business set-aside. The city portal listed it as an RFQ. We put in a lot of work on the pricing and our proposed schedule for the three-person crew. It was a fixed-price contract for annual grounds maintenance at a few city parks. The total value was under the simplified acquisition threshold.

We got a notice yesterday that we were not selected. I called the city's purchasing department, and they said they don't do formal debriefings for awards this small. Is that true? Can I ask for feedback on our bid even if it's below the simplified acquisition threshold?

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asked Jordan P. First-year bidder, landscaping and grounds · Jacksonville, FL · 368 rep

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You can ask for feedback on your bid, but a city is not required to provide a formal debriefing for an award below the simplified acquisition threshold or any award amount. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) governs federal procurements, and FAR 15.506 outlines the requirements for postaward debriefings on federal contracts. These rules do not apply to state and local governments.

State and local procurements operate under their own specific procurement codes and procedures. These procedures are usually outlined in the city's purchasing department vendor guide or on their procurement portal. Many local governments do not offer formal debriefings for smaller contracts. You can still reach out to the purchasing department or the contracting officer and politely request informal feedback. Sometimes they will share general reasons for the selection or point out areas where your bid could have been stronger. Focus on learning for future bids rather than trying to challenge this award.

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answered Jo R. Freelance proposal writer · Denver, CO · 651 rep

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Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

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