1604 PRESOLICITATION NOTICES AND CONFERENCES

1604.1 Presolicitation notices and conferences may be used as preliminary steps in procurements by CSP in order to accomplish any of the following:

1. (a) Develop or identify interested sources;
2. (b) Request preliminary information based on a general description of the goods or services involved;
3. (c) Explain complicated specifications and requirements to interested sources; or
4. (d) Aid prospective contractors in later submitting proposals without undue expenditure of effort, time, and money.

1604.2 If presolicitation notices are used, the contracting officer shall prepare and issue each notice to potential sources and shall publicize the notice in a newspaper of general circulation and any trade publication deemed appropriate by the Director.

1604.3 A presolicitation notice shall include the following:

1. (a) A description of the information to be furnished in the response;
2. (b) An indication whether the notice will be followed by a conference and a formal solicitation; and
3. (c) A request that parties interested in the contemplated procurement respond by a specified date.

1604.4 In complex procurements, the presolicitation notice may request information pertaining to management, engineering, and production capabilities.

1604.5 The contracting officer shall furnish copies of the solicitation to all those responding affirmatively to the presolicitation notice and to other prospective contractors upon their request.

1604.6 A presolicitation conference may be used only when approved by the contracting officer.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 35 DCR 1447 (February 26, 1988).