What You Need to Know About Debriefings

To ensure you learn how to write more successful proposals, Request a Debrief.

A debriefing can be a valuable opportunity on many levels; understanding agency's evaluation and source selection decision process as well as understanding what must be done to ensure the next proposal is written better to support the agency needs. The tips below help contractors to maximize the amount and value of the information obtained at a debriefing and to better position for the next proposal submittal.

1)   Always request debriefing, even if you are an awardee

2)   Submit your request in writing as soon as you receive the award

3)   Accept the first appropriate date offered

4)   If you are not awarded do not elect to defer your debriefing until after award

5)   Know what information the agency is required to disclose at debriefing before you attend the debrief 

6)   Prepare Questions in advance

7)   If you’re not the awardee leave your legal counsel out of the debrief

8)   Prepare to listen

9)   Take good notes

10) Do not be controversial 

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that supports Debriefing.

15.505  Preaward debriefing of offerors. 
Offerors excluded from the competitive range or otherwise excluded from the competition before award may request a debriefing before award (10 U.S.C. 2305(b)(6)(A) and 41 U.S.C. 253b(f) - (h)).

(a)(1) The offeror may request a preaward debriefing by submitting a written request for debriefing to the contracting officer within 3 days after receipt of the notice of exclusion from the competition.

FAR 13.106-3 (d)

(d) Request for information. If a supplier requests information on an award that was based on factors other than price alone, a brief explanation of the basis for the contract award decision shall be provided (see 15.503(b)(2)).

15.506  Postaward debriefing of offerors. 
(a)(1) An offeror, upon its written request received by the agency within 3 days after the date on which that offeror has received notification of contract award in accordance with15.503(b), shall be debriefed and furnished the basis for the selection decision and contract award.
(2) To the maximum extent practicable, the debriefing should occur within 5 days after receipt of the written request. Offerors that requested a postaward debriefing in lieu of a preaward debriefing, or whose debriefing was delayed for compelling reasons beyond contract award, also should be debriefed within this time period.