An analysis of contracts awarded in the face of negative preaward survey recommendation

Abstract

The purpose of this Thesis is to examine the Department of Defense Preaward Survey process and assess its effectiveness as a source selection and risk management tool. This is accomplished by identifying the primary causes of negative Preaward Survey recommendations, determining how Procuring Contracting Officers use this information in source selection and examining the Department of Defense's experience with contracts awarded in the face of a Negative Preaward Survey. The data for this research were gathered by reviewing Preaward Survey files and interviewing contract administration office personnel at Defense Contract Management Command (DCMC) and Defense Logistics Agency Headquarters. Personnel from various buying activities throughout the Department of Defense were also interviewed. This thesis concludes that the Department of Defense Preaward Survey process is operating at a reasonable level of efficiency and effectiveness, but that improvements could be made to its use as a source selection and risk management tool. This conclusion is based upon finding that Preaward Survey information is being utilized effectively for contractor responsibility determinations. However, it was noted that Preaward Surveys are not always useful to facilitate source selection decisions and that Preaward Surveys are not being fully utilized as a risk management tool during preaward and post-award contract management. In addition, this thesis presents ten recommendations for further improvements to the Preaward Survey process.