Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
15 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> NOR C-1R0I.I N <br /> The competitive negotiation procurement process is conducted through a <br /> formal Request for Proposals (RFP). This method of procurement is generally <br /> used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids and are <br /> commonly used to procure professional services. The competitive negotiation <br /> method of procurement is appropriate when the following conditions exist: <br /> 1. A complete, adequate, and realistic specification or purchase description <br /> is not available; <br /> 2. Two or more responsible offerors are willing and able to compete <br /> effectively for the award; <br /> 3. The selection of the successful offeror requires consideration of factors <br /> other than price; and <br /> 4. Discussions with offerors are anticipated to be needed. <br /> For a competitive negotiation procurement, either a fixed price or cost <br /> reimbursable type contract may be awarded. Each RFP will include a <br /> description of the factors, in addition to price, by which proposals will be <br /> evaluated. The RFP must be advertised in a newspaper and electronically on <br /> OPT's website at least seven (7) days prior to the evaluation of any <br /> proposals. Evaluation factors and sub-factors will be listed in order of their <br /> relative importance. Prior to the receipt of proposals, OPT and Orange <br /> County procurement staff will establish the method by which technical and <br /> price evaluations of the proposals received will be conducted and one or <br /> more awardees selected. The evaluation process shall be confidential, and <br /> technical evaluations shall be conducted prior to distribution of pricing <br /> proposals to ensure that non-technical considerations do not affect technical <br /> evaluations. <br /> Unless the technical and price evaluators agree that only one proposer is <br /> capable of receiving an award, discussions and negotiations shall be <br /> conducted with all proposers found to be so capable. Award will be made to <br /> the responsible firm whose proposal is most advantageous to OPT, price and <br /> all other factors considered. Award may be made either to the proposer <br /> whose technically acceptable proposal offers the lowest price or to the <br /> proposer whose proposal offers the "best value" to OPT, defined as the <br /> greatest business value based upon an analysis of a tradeoff of qualitative <br /> technical factors and price/cost to identify the best combination of technical <br /> 13 <br />