Best Value
A procurement approach where the government selects the offer that provides the greatest overall benefit, considering factors beyond just price.
Overview
Best value is a source selection methodology where the government evaluates proposals based on a combination of technical merit, past performance, management approach, and price — rather than simply choosing the cheapest option. The goal is to award the contract to the offeror that delivers the greatest overall benefit to the government.
Why It Matters in GovCon
Understanding whether a solicitation uses best value or lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) criteria fundamentally changes how you write your proposal. In best value competitions, investing in a compelling technical approach and demonstrating strong past performance can justify a higher price and still win.
Key Details
- Evaluation Factors: Agencies define specific criteria (technical approach, staffing plan, past performance, price) and their relative importance in the solicitation.
- Tradeoff Process: The government may select a higher-priced proposal if the technical superiority justifies the additional cost.
- Source Selection Authority (SSA): A designated official makes the final award decision based on the evaluation team's findings.
- Documentation: Agencies must document the rationale for their selection, especially when choosing other than the lowest-priced offer.
How GovCon Data Can Help
GovCon Data's AI proposal generator helps you craft stronger technical volumes tailored to best value criteria. The opportunity analysis tools also highlight evaluation factors so you can prioritize what matters most to the agency.
Related Terms
- Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA)
- Source Selection
- Past Performance
- Request for Proposal (RFP)
More Solicitations Terms
The group of offerors selected by the government as having a reasonable chance of being awarded the contract, based on initial proposal evaluations.
A solicitation method where the government awards a contract to the lowest-priced responsive, responsible bidder through sealed bidding.
A source selection method where the contract is awarded to the lowest-priced offeror whose proposal meets all technical requirements.
A document that describes required contract outcomes and performance standards rather than prescribing how the work should be done.
A pre-solicitation document where the government seeks industry input on requirements, capabilities, and market conditions before issuing a formal solicitation.
A formal solicitation document inviting contractors to submit proposals that will be evaluated on technical merit, past performance, and price.
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