Help! I am reaching out to the community for some synergy----- ideas on how I may accomplish this acquisition:
Scenario: Numerous types and quantities of sample analyses required for space mission, over several years. Definite need, just don’t know when and how much at this time, only estimates and descriptions of the types of analysis to be performed.
Client does not want to depend solely on evaluation of proposal and past performance info for selection of this contract award. Client ‘visualizes’ sending samples to be analyzed/ turned into data to vendors they found in their market research in order to see the contractors’ work product. This will all be based on very thoughtful criteria; researchers and scientists, here. Naturally, client is risk adverse and willing to pay for the effort to perform actual samples (via small contract(s)?) during this process and prior to award of large contract.
Q: How do I make this large, multi-year contract a competitive procurement? The two step proposal process is the one that I am familiar with, but it does not seem to fit. There is actual work effort and cost will be incurred by contractors running these tests. And, if we find the one firm that suits the client for their long-term requirement, the larger contract won’t be competitive.
Your thoughts on how I can make this happen, please?