When can offerors excluded from the competitive range request a debriefing?

Offerors excluded from the competitive range can request a debriefing before the award of the contract. This is important because the debriefing provides valuable feedback about the evaluation process and the reasons for their exclusion. It helps the offerors understand how their proposals were viewed in comparison to those that were included in the competitive range, allowing them to improve their future submissions.

Requesting a debriefing after the award or contract finalization may limit the feedback an offeror can receive, as the decisions are already made, and the competitive dynamics have shifted. Furthermore, requesting a debriefing within 30 days of exclusion might not align with the timeline established by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines, which emphasize that debriefings should occur before a contract is awarded to help maintain transparency and fairness in the procurement process.