Recently several agencies have applied Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to new contract starts and requests for proposals (RFP). One form of solicitation is called Streamlined Source Selection. This paper explores the costs, benefits and problems associated with the Streamlined Source Selection approach from a contractor point of view. Is the source selection process improved? Is the feedback from industry really used by the agencies? Is the government evaluation process more equitable, easier, better or cheaper with this streamlined approach? Are the total pre-award costs reduced, increased or merely shifted from one place to another? Are contracts awarded more quickly? Does the specification better represent what is needed or what will be produced or both? Is the resulting contract of higher quality? Does the government get a better bargain? Are contracts completed more quickly or with fewer changes or fewer cost problems? In short, are the expected TQM benefits obtained?
Streamlined Source Selection or Write Your Own Spec!
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