When shall contracting officers solicit sealed bids?

Contracting officers are required to solicit sealed bids primarily when the award decision will be based on price-related factors. This approach is common in situations where the specifications of the required goods or services are clear, and the competition is established, making it appropriate to evaluate bids primarily on price. Sealed bidding facilitates a straightforward and transparent process, ensuring that the lowest-priced conforming bid is recognized.

In this context, the emphasis is on obtaining competitive offers, where all bids are submitted in sealed envelopes, ensuring confidentiality and fairness in the bidding process. The system also supports the need for clear and concise evaluation criteria, allowing contracting officers to focus on price as a key determinant for award decisions.

The other choices highlight scenarios that do not align with the characteristics of sealed bidding. For instance, time restrictions might suggest a rapid procurement process that doesn’t accommodate the formalities of sealed bids. Expecting fewer bids is not a prerequisite for sealed bidding since it thrives on competition, while the need for negotiations typically indicates a more flexible and engaging procurement method such as competitive proposals, rather than a strict sealed bidding process.