Introduction
For government contractors, winning a competitive solicitation is the ultimate goal, but the path to an award is governed by a rigorous, structured evaluation process. Central to this process is the Source Selection Evaluation Team (SSET). Understanding how this team functions is vital for any business looking to secure federal contracts. By leveraging the intelligence tools at SamSearch, contractors can better align their proposals with the evaluation criteria that these teams prioritize.
Definition
The Source Selection Evaluation Team (SSET) is a specialized group of government personnel—often including technical experts, contract specialists, and program managers—tasked with evaluating proposals submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP). Under the guidelines of FAR Part 15 (Contracting by Negotiation), the SSET is responsible for reviewing, scoring, and documenting the strengths, weaknesses, and deficiencies of each offeror’s submission.
The SSET does not typically make the final award decision; rather, they provide a comprehensive evaluation report to the Source Selection Authority (SSA). The SSA uses the SSET’s findings to determine which proposal offers the "best value" to the government, balancing technical merit, past performance, and price.
Core Functions of the SSET:
- Technical Evaluation: Assessing whether the proposed solution meets the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).
- Risk Assessment: Identifying potential performance or cost risks associated with a contractor’s approach.
- Adjectival or Numerical Scoring: Applying the evaluation criteria defined in Section M of the solicitation to rank proposals.
- Clarification and Discussion: Assisting the Contracting Officer in conducting exchanges with offerors to resolve minor uncertainties.
Examples
- Defense Procurement: In a major weapon system acquisition, an SSET might include engineers and logistics experts who evaluate the technical feasibility and lifecycle costs of a contractor’s proposed design.
- Professional Services: For a task order under a GSA Schedule, the SSET may focus heavily on the resumes of key personnel and the contractor’s past performance record to ensure the team can handle complex agency requirements.
- IT Modernization: When an agency seeks cloud migration services, the SSET will include cybersecurity specialists to verify that the contractor’s proposed architecture meets stringent FedRAMP compliance standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who serves on an SSET?
Members are selected based on the complexity of the requirement. They are typically subject matter experts (SMEs) relevant to the solicitation, such as engineers, IT specialists, or financial analysts, supported by a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).
How does the SSET maintain fairness?
SSET members must sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and conflict-of-interest statements. They are strictly prohibited from discussing the procurement with offerors outside of formal communication channels to ensure a level playing field.
Can SSET evaluations be challenged in a protest?
Yes. If a contractor believes the SSET failed to follow the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation or acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner, they may file a bid protest. Clear, objective documentation by the SSET is the government's primary defense against such challenges.
How can SamSearch help with SSET expectations?
By analyzing historical solicitations and award data on SamSearch, contractors can identify common evaluation factors and "hot buttons" that SSETs typically focus on for specific agencies, allowing for more targeted proposal writing.
Conclusion
The SSET is the engine room of the federal procurement process. By understanding that these teams are bound by strict FAR regulations and specific evaluation criteria, contractors can draft more compliant, high-scoring proposals. Success in government contracting requires speaking the language of the SSET—ensuring your proposal clearly demonstrates how you solve the government's specific problems.
