(a)
(i) Preaward surveys are used only to assist the contracting officer to make determinations of responsibility under
FAR 9.104. They are not to be used to obtain information useful to proposal evaluation that does not directly relate to the responsibility determination. Accordingly, preaward surveys shall not be used except in rare circumstances when determination of responsibility cannot be made without the specific information that can be provided only in a preaward survey report and only after all other means of obtaining the required information have been explored.
(ii) Surveys shall not be performed for companies of any size performing study or research contracts.
(iii) The procurement officer shall approve all preaward survey requests.
