I've been looking for examples of oral presentations and have started to wonder why is it that Oral Presentations are always a standalone factor? The FAR states, "Oral presentations by offerors as requested by the Government may substitute for, or augment, written information." Couldn't you just make it part of another factor like past performance so offerors could provide a more detailed explanation of a written past performance submission, then give their past performance a more holistic rating without separately rating their oral presentation? or am I missing something that requires or makes it a better idea to have the oral presentation as a separate factor?

19 hours ago, Freyr said:

or am I missing something that requires or makes it a better idea to have the oral presentation as a separate factor?

Or is an oral presentation simply an augmentation to or even the sole way in having an offeror present their proposal which you then evalaute using the technical and past performance evaluation factors?

"Oral presentation" should not be used as an evaluation factor.

Oral presentation is just a method of obtaining information. It's an alternative to a written presentation.

An evaluation factor is an attribute𑁋 a feature, quality, or characteristic𑁋of an offeror as a business entity, or of its offer, i.e., its promises. Experience is such an attribute, as is the quality of the product it offers. In order to evaluate the offeror or its product on the basis of selected attributes you need information about those attributes. An oral presentation is just a way to get that information. Its an alternative to a written proposal.

You don't evaluate a presentation or a proposal per se. You evaluate the offeror or its offer based on the information presented therein.

Great response Vern.  I started to post something similar but this is much better.

The way COs have used oral presentations, and not, does not say good things about the acquisition workforce and its (1) education and (2) training. We need to rethink CO appointment criteria and procedures and workforce education and training. A memo has been sent to President Trump in that regard.