What should I expect during a post-award debriefing for a federal contract?

Question

My firm recently submitted a proposal for a federal contract, a competitive 8(a) set-aside for administrative staffing under NAICS 561110. We received notification last week that we weren't selected. I immediately requested a [postaward debriefing](https://govcon.forum/glossary/debrief/) within the three-day window, as outlined in FAR 15.506(a)(1). This is our first time getting to this stage on a federal opportunity, though we've had a few state awards. I'm trying to figure out what information the [contracting officer](https://govcon.forum/glossary/contracting-officer/) will share. What should I expect to learn about our proposal's strengths and weaknesses, and how can I prepare to make the most of this meeting?

Dana K. · Answer

During a postaward debriefing for a federal contract, you should expect to learn specific information about your proposal's evaluation, including its strengths and weaknesses, as outlined in FAR 15.506(a)(2). The contracting officer will discuss the agency's evaluation of your proposal, including the significant weaknesses or deficiencies identified, and your overall ranking. You will also learn the overall evaluated price of the successful offeror and the overall ranking of all offerors. However, the debriefing will not disclose the names of other offerors or proprietary information about them. For state awards, the process and information shared can vary significantly, as each state has its own procurement codes and portal guidelines. To prepare, review your submitted proposal thoroughly and have questions ready about specific sections or scores. Focus on understanding the feedback to improve future submissions, rather than debating the award decision.

What should I expect during a post-award debriefing for a federal contract?

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What should I expect during a post-award debriefing for a federal contract?

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