Unless other factors require the use of competitive sealed bidding, two-step sealed bidding may be used when any of the following situations exist:
There is a need to evaluate technical offers for acceptability in fulfilling the IT procurement requirements.
There is a lack of adequate specifications or when rapid changes in technology make it more advantageous to request unpriced technical proposals before making any award based on price.
To facilitate understanding of the technical offers and purchase description requirements through discussion; and, where appropriate, obtain supplemental information or permit amendments to the solicitation and technical offers.
Available specifications or purchase descriptions are not definite or complete.
Definite criteria do exist for evaluating technical proposals.
More than one technically qualified supplier is expected to be responsive.
There is sufficient lead time available to complete a two-step competitive sealed bidding procurement.
A firm-fixed-price contract or a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment is desired.
None of the following situations would preclude the use of two-step sealed bidding:
Multi-year contracting
Agency-owned facilities to be made available to the successful bidder a Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (DSBSD)-certified small business, including small businesses owned by women, minorities and service disabled veterans as well as micro businesses set-aside requirement
A first or subsequent production quantity (if hardware) is being acquired under a performance specification