FAR 15.605—Content of unsolicited proposals.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.605 explains what an unsolicited proposal should include so an agency can evaluate it objectively and promptly. It covers the basic identifying information about the offeror, the technical description of the proposed effort, and the supporting business information needed to judge price, schedule, contract type, duration, past performance, facilities, and any special issues such as proprietary data, organizational conflicts of interest, security clearances, environmental impacts, and prior agency contacts. The section also requires enough contact information for evaluation or negotiation and a signature from someone authorized to bind the offeror. In practice, this rule is about making sure an unsolicited proposal is complete enough to be considered seriously and not rejected or delayed because key facts are missing. It helps agencies compare the proposal against their mission needs and helps contractors present a package that is credible, reviewable, and legally actionable.
Key Rules
Include basic offeror data
The proposal should identify the offeror, its address, and its type of organization, such as profit, nonprofit, educational, or small business. It must also include the names and phone numbers of technical and business contacts, the submission date, and the signature of an authorized person who can contractually obligate the offeror.
Identify proprietary material
Any proprietary data that is to be used only for evaluation purposes must be clearly identified. This helps the agency handle sensitive information appropriately during review and negotiation.
Disclose other recipients
The proposal should state whether it has been submitted to other Federal, State, or local agencies or to other parties, or whether those parties are funding the effort. This disclosure helps the agency understand duplication, coordination, and potential conflicts.
Provide a clear technical case
The technical section must include a concise title and abstract, a reasonably complete discussion of the objectives, method of approach, extent of effort, anticipated results, and how the work supports the agency’s mission. It should also identify key personnel, including alternates, and describe any support needed from the Government.
Support the business evaluation
The proposal should include a proposed price or total estimated cost in enough detail for meaningful evaluation, the period of validity, the preferred contract type, and the proposed duration of effort. It should also describe the organization, relevant experience, past performance, and facilities to be used.
Address special considerations
If applicable, the proposal should include statements about organizational conflicts of interest, security clearances, and environmental impacts. These issues can affect whether the agency can consider the proposal and how it would be structured if accepted.
List prior agency contacts
The proposal should identify the names and phone numbers of agency technical or other points of contact already approached about the proposal. This helps the agency understand the proposal’s history and avoid confusion or duplicate communications.
Responsibilities
Offeror
Prepare an unsolicited proposal that includes the required basic, technical, and supporting information in enough detail for objective and timely review. The offeror must clearly identify proprietary information, disclose prior submissions or funding relationships, and provide a valid period, preferred contract type, and cost information.
Authorized Representative of the Offeror
Sign the proposal and ensure the submission can legally bind the organization if the proposal leads to negotiations or award.
Agency Evaluators
Use the submitted information to assess the proposal’s technical merit, mission relevance, cost reasonableness, and any special issues such as conflicts of interest, security, or environmental impacts.
Agency Technical or Other Contacts
Serve as points of reference already contacted by the offeror and help ensure the agency has a clear record of prior discussions related to the proposal.
Practical Implications
A complete unsolicited proposal is much more likely to receive a meaningful review; missing cost, mission, or contact information can slow or derail consideration.
The abstract and mission-support discussion are critical because agencies are looking for a clear connection between the proposed effort and their needs, not just a good idea.
Offerors should be careful to identify proprietary data and any prior submissions elsewhere, since unclear markings or incomplete disclosure can create handling and evaluation problems.
The proposed price, validity period, and preferred contract type matter because agencies need enough detail to decide whether the idea is actionable and under what contracting approach.
Failure to include an authorized signature or accurate contact information can create threshold problems and may prevent the agency from treating the submission as a serious proposal.
Official Regulatory Text
Unsolicited proposals should contain the following information to permit consideration in an objective and timely manner: (a) Basic information including- (1) Offeror’s name and address and type of organization; e.g., profit, nonprofit, educational, small business; (2) Names and telephone numbers of technical and business personnel to be contacted for evaluation or negotiation purposes; (3) Identification of proprietary data to be used only for evaluation purposes; (4) Names of other Federal, State, or local agencies or parties receiving the proposal or funding the proposed effort; (5) Date of submission; and (6) Signature of a person authorized to represent and contractually obligate the offeror. (b) Technical information including- (1) Concise title and abstract (approximately 200 words) of the proposed effort; (2) A reasonably complete discussion stating the objectives of the effort or activity, the method of approach and extent of effort to be employed, the nature and extent of the anticipated results, and the manner in which the work will help to support accomplishment of the agency’s mission; (3) Names and biographical information on the offeror’s key personnel who would be involved, including alternates; and (4) Type of support needed from the agency; e.g., Government property or personnel resources. (c) Supporting information including- (1) Proposed price or total estimated cost for the effort in sufficient detail for meaningful evaluation; (2) Period of time for which the proposal is valid (a 6-month minimum is suggested); (3) Type of contract preferred; (4) Proposed duration of effort; (5) Brief description of the organization, previous experience, relevant past performance, and facilities to be used; (6) Other statements, if applicable, about organizational conflicts of interest, security clearances, and environmental impacts; and (7) The names and telephone numbers of agency technical or other agency points of contact already contacted regarding the proposal.