FAR 15.302—Source selection objective.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.302 states the basic objective of source selection in negotiated procurements: to choose the proposal that represents the best value to the Government. This section is short, but it is foundational because it frames the entire source selection process under FAR Part 15, including how proposals are evaluated, compared, and ultimately selected. In practice, it means the Government is not required to award to the lowest-priced offeror unless that offer provides the best value under the solicitation’s stated evaluation scheme. The section supports the use of tradeoffs, evaluation factors, and source selection authority judgment, while also reinforcing that the selection decision must be tied to the solicitation and the Government’s needs. For contractors, it signals that winning is about more than price alone; for contracting officials, it means the record must show why the chosen proposal is the best value based on the announced criteria.
Key Rules
Best value is the objective
The source selection process exists to identify the proposal that offers the best value to the Government. Best value may reflect a combination of price, quality, technical merit, past performance, risk, and other factors identified in the solicitation.
Selection is based on proposals
The decision is made by comparing proposals received in response to the solicitation. The Government evaluates the proposals against the stated criteria and selects the one that best satisfies the Government’s needs.
Lowest price is not the default
This section does not require award to the lowest-priced proposal. A higher-priced proposal may be selected if it provides the best value under the evaluation approach established for the acquisition.
Solicitation criteria control
The best-value determination must be made using the evaluation factors and relative importance stated in the solicitation. Source selection cannot rely on unstated preferences or criteria outside the solicitation.
Source selection is a judgment process
The objective recognizes that source selection involves informed business judgment by the Government. The selection authority must weigh the evaluated strengths, weaknesses, risks, and price or cost considerations to determine which proposal is most advantageous.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer / Source Selection Authority
Ensure the source selection process is conducted to identify the proposal that represents the best value. Apply the solicitation’s evaluation scheme, document the rationale for the selection decision, and make sure the award decision is supportable and consistent with the stated criteria.
Evaluation Team / Technical Evaluators
Assess proposals against the solicitation factors and provide objective findings on strengths, weaknesses, risks, and other evaluated elements. Their role is to support the best-value decision with a clear, fact-based evaluation record.
Contractor / Offeror
Submit a proposal that demonstrates value under the stated evaluation criteria, not just competitive pricing. Address technical merit, performance history, risk, and any other factors the solicitation says will matter in the best-value decision.
Agency
Structure the acquisition and source selection approach so the Government can identify the best value. Ensure the solicitation clearly states the evaluation factors and their relative importance so offerors understand how value will be judged.
Practical Implications
Contractors should focus on the full evaluation picture, not just price, because a technically stronger or lower-risk proposal can beat a cheaper one.
Contracting officers must make sure the solicitation clearly explains what “best value” means for that acquisition; vague criteria create protest risk and weak award decisions.
The source selection record should show why the chosen proposal is better overall, especially when the award is not to the lowest-priced offeror.
A common pitfall is using unstated preferences or giving hidden weight to factors not disclosed in the solicitation.
Another frequent issue is failing to connect the evaluation findings to the final selection decision; the decision must be traceable to the announced criteria and the Government’s needs.
Official Regulatory Text
The objective of source selection is to select the proposal that represents the best value.