Price or Cost Analysis Flashcards
What factors do contractors consider when making a bid/no bid decision?
Contractors consider the risk involved in the work when making a bid/no bid decision.
How can the Government increase competition among contractors?
The Government can increase competition by reducing or removing unnecessary financial and performance risk to potential offerors.
What must contracting professionals strive to do regarding risk?
Contracting professionals must strive to reduce financial and performance risk.
What do companies expect in relation to profit and risk?
Companies expect profit to be commensurate with the financial and performance risk they are expected to bear.
Which contract type puts more cost risk on the contractor?
Fixed-price contracts put more cost risk on the contractor than cost-reimbursement and time-and-material type contracts.
What must the Government consider when selecting a contract type?
The Government must consider risk when selecting contract type.
What is the relationship between competition and price in government contracting?
Competition tends to reduce price.
How does the perception of risk affect pricing in government contracting?
Higher risk requirements will result in higher prices.
How do source selection procedures and contract type affect contractor prices and costs?
Source selection procedures and contract type will have a direct effect on how we analyze contractor prices and costs.
What is the Government’s best interest regarding contractor competition and risk?
To increase competition and reduce contractor’s perceived risk with clear requirements, source selection criteria, and appropriate contract type to get the best value for the Government.
What is the process of establishing a reasonable amount to be paid for supplies or services called?
Pricing.
What does FAR 15.304(c)(1)(i) state regarding price or cost in source selection?
Price or cost to the Government shall be evaluated in every source selection.
What is the basis for award in a competitive contracting environment?
Award will be made to the offeror whose proposal represents the best value where price is a substantial factor in source selection.
What defines adequate price competition according to FAR 15.403-1(c)(1)(i)?
Two or more responsible offerors, competing independently, submit priced offers that satisfy the Government’s expressed requirement.
What must not be found regarding the price of the successful offeror?
There must be no finding that the price of the otherwise successful offeror is unreasonable.
What is typically used to perform a price analysis for firm-fixed-price contracts?
A comparison of the proposed prices based on adequate price competition.
True or False: Price to the Government shall be evaluated in every source selection?
True
What is included in evaluations when contracting on a cost-reimbursement basis according to FAR 15.305(a)(1)?
Evaluations shall include a cost realism analysis to determine what the Government should realistically expect to pay for the proposed effort.
True or False: Cost realism analysis may not be used on fixed-price incentive contracts.
False
When can cost realism analyses be used?
Cost realism analyses may be used on fixed-price incentive contracts or, in exceptional cases, on other competitive fixed-price-type contracts.
What factors should the Government consider in a cost realism analysis?
The Government should consider what they realistically expect to pay for the proposed effort, the offeror’s understanding of the work, and the offeror’s ability to perform the contract.
True or False: Cost realism analysis must be included when contracting on a cost-reimbursement basis.
True
What must the contracting officer document when completing a cost or price evaluation?
The contracting officer must document the evaluation.
What factors must the contracting officer consider when determining reasonable pricing?
The contracting officer must consider the terms and conditions (delivery, financing, etc.) of each specific contract.
Who is responsible for evaluating and determining the fairness and reasonableness of offered prices?
The contracting officer is responsible for evaluating and determining the fairness and reasonableness of offered prices.
What is the objective of proposal analysis according to FAR 15.404-1(a)?
The objective of proposal analysis is to ensure that the final agreed-to price is fair and reasonable.
What should a fair and reasonable price consider according to the lesson?
A fair and reasonable price should be fair and reasonable to both the Government and the contractor.
What must a price be to be fair to the buyer (Government)?
To be fair to the buyer, a price must be at or below the fair market value or the total allowable cost of providing the contract deliverable.
What must a price be to be fair to the seller?
To be fair to the seller, a price must be realistic in terms of the seller’s ability to satisfy the terms and conditions of the contract.
What risks does an unrealistic price pose to both the seller and the buyer?
An unrealistic price can lead to risks such as cutting corners on product quality, delivering late, defaulting on the contract, or refusing to deal with the Government in the future.
What is the role of the contracting officer in determining if a price is fair and reasonable?
The contracting officer is responsible for analyzing and determining if a price is fair and reasonable.
What is meant by a ‘reasonable price’ in contracting?
A reasonable price is a price that a prudent and competent buyer would be willing to pay.
What characteristics define a ‘prudent’ buyer?
A prudent buyer acts with or shows care and thought for the future
How do economic forces affect the determination of a reasonable price?
Economic forces such as supply, demand, general economic conditions, and competition change constantly, meaning a price that is reasonable today may not be reasonable tomorrow.
What does it mean for a buyer to be ‘competent’?
A competent buyer has the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.
What does a contracting professional imply when they determine a price is reasonable?
They imply that they made a decision that is both judicious and wise, based on their ability, knowledge, or skill.
What is the purpose of analytical techniques in Proposal Analysis?
Analytical techniques and procedures are used to determine reasonableness and ensure that the final price is fair and reasonable.
What factors determine the level of detail required in Proposal Analysis?
The complexity and circumstances of each acquisition should determine the level of detail of the analysis required.
Can cost analysis be used for data other than certified cost or pricing data?
Yes, cost analysis may also be used to evaluate data other than certified cost or pricing data to determine cost reasonableness or cost realism.
When is price analysis used in Proposal Analysis?
Price analysis is used when certified cost or pricing data are not required to verify that the overall price offered is fair and reasonable.
What is the role of cost analysis in Proposal Analysis?
Cost analysis is used to evaluate the reasonableness of individual cost elements when certified cost or pricing data are required.
What is one purpose of cost analysis?
To evaluate the reasonableness of individual cost elements.
What does cost analysis evaluate besides certified cost or pricing data?
Data other than certified cost or pricing data to determine cost reasonableness or cost realism.
What is one purpose of price analysis?
To verify that the overall price offered is fair and reasonable.
When is cost analysis typically used?
When certified cost or pricing data are not required.
How does a contracting officer determine price reasonableness in a sealed bidding approach?
By comparing prices offered and accepting the lowest price proposed from a responsible bidder.
What should a contracting officer base price reasonableness on when using Simplified Acquisition Procedures?
Competitive quotations or offers.
What is the purpose of evaluating individual cost elements when certified cost or pricing data are not required?
To evaluate the reasonableness of individual cost elements.
What must be verified to ensure that the overall price offered is fair and reasonable?
The overall price offered must be verified.
What is evaluated to determine cost reasonableness or cost realism when certified cost or pricing data are not available?
Data other than certified cost or pricing data.
What are parametric estimating methods in the context of price analysis?
Parametric estimating methods involve the application of rough yardsticks, such as dollars per pound or per horsepower, to assist in price analysis.
How can historical prices be utilized in price analysis?
Historical prices paid, whether by the Government or others for the same or similar items, can be compared to the proposed prices as part of the price analysis.
What type of data can be analyzed other than certified cost or pricing data?
Data other than certified cost or pricing data provided by the offeror can be analyzed as part of the price analysis process.
What is one method used in price analysis to establish a fair and reasonable price?
One method is the comparison of proposed prices received in response to the solicitation, where adequate price competition typically establishes a fair and reasonable price.
What is the primary purpose of price analysis according to FAR 15.404-1(b)?
The primary purpose of price analysis is to examine and evaluate a proposed price without evaluating its separate cost elements and proposed profit, ensuring a fair and reasonable price.
What is the significance of market research in price analysis?
Market research is used to compare proposed prices with prices obtained for the same or similar items, contributing to the evaluation of price reasonableness.
What role do independent Government cost estimates play in price analysis?
Proposed prices are compared with independent Government cost estimates to help determine if the proposed prices are fair and reasonable.
What is price analysis in the context of contract pricing?
Price analysis is an analysis of the offeror’s total proposed contract price using one or more techniques, without evaluating the underlying direct, indirect costs, or profit.
What types of contracts can price analysis be completed on?
Price analysis may be completed on fixed-price, cost-reimbursement, and time-and-materials contract types.
What is the definition of Cost Analysis according to the FAR?
Cost Analysis is the review and evaluation of separate cost elements and profit or fee in an offeror’s or contractor’s proposal, performed to determine a fair and reasonable price or cost realism.
What is the purpose of performing Cost Analysis?
The purpose of performing Cost Analysis is to evaluate the reasonableness of individual cost elements and determine a fair and reasonable price.