Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The process that examines relevant facts and recommendations during competitive procurement is the source selection. This stage involves reviewing all submitted proposals to determine which one best meets the requirements set forth in the solicitation. It typically includes the evaluation of proposals against established criteria, analysis of strengths and weaknesses, and assessment of cost versus value.

Source selection is critical because it not only considers the pricing but also evaluates technical capabilities, past performance, and overall value proposition. The primary goal is to select the vendor who offers the best combination of quality, service, and price, aligning with the procurement objectives.

In contrast, bid evaluation primarily focuses on the assessment of specific bids against criteria without integrating the broader selection strategy. Contract negotiation occurs after a source selection has been conducted, where terms are discussed and formalized with the selected vendor. Proposal justification is often a phase where a detailed rationale for the chosen proposal is documented, but it is not the primary process that examines relevant facts and recommendations during procurement.