BGOV Contracting Brief: ‘Lowest Price’ Evaluations Face Scrutiny

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Lawmakers are prepared to vote on a bill that would kick off an investigation into potential national security risks posed by use of the “lowest price technically acceptable” contract award evaluation standard, a procurement mechanism Bloomberg Government data shows hit a record of $61.4 billion in fiscal 2023.

The measure (H.R. 5528) calls for Office of Management and Budget analysis of Federal Acquisition Regulation clause 15.101–2, the LPTA rule.

The concern over security risks are whether LPTA discourages innovative bidders, ...