Source Selection Authority(SSA)
The government official with the final authority to select the winning offeror in a negotiated procurement.
Overview
The Source Selection Authority (SSA) is the designated official who makes the final award decision in a negotiated procurement. The SSA reviews the evaluation team's findings, considers the competitive range determination and evaluation reports, and selects the contractor that best meets the government's needs. The SSA may be the same person as the PCO or a more senior official.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The SSA's decision is the culmination of the source selection process. While the SSA relies on the evaluation team's analysis, they have discretion to make the award decision. Understanding who holds SSA authority — and the factors they must consider — helps contractors tailor proposals to decision-maker priorities. SSA decisions can be protested to GAO or the Court of Federal Claims.
Key Details
- Designation: Named in the source selection plan; often the PCO or a senior acquisition official.
- Duties: Reviews evaluation, ensures compliance with the solicitation, selects winner, documents decision.
- Discretion: Must document rationale, especially when selecting other than the lowest-priced offer (best value).
- Debriefing: The SSA's decision and rationale are typically discussed in post-award debriefings.
- Protest: SSA decisions are subject to bid protest on grounds of improper evaluation or procedure.
Related Terms
- Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO)
- Best Value
- Competitive Range
- Debriefing
More Acquisition Terms
A payment method where the government transfers funds electronically to contractor bank accounts.
A 1994 law that simplified federal procurement by raising thresholds, reducing paperwork, and promoting commercial item acquisition.
The predecessor to SAM.gov; the legacy system where federal solicitations were posted (replaced by beta.SAM.gov).
A formal review gate in the acquisition process where senior leadership decides whether a program may proceed to the next phase, requires changes, or should be terminated.
Written narrative responses that describe a candidate or contractor capability in specific areas, historically used in federal hiring and some proposal evaluations.
Goods and services used to maintain, repair, and operate facilities and equipment — a major category of government procurement.
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