(b) Early exchanges with industry, an essential part of the procurement process, are used to elicit industry participation in the planning and execution of the acquisition, especially when seeking to re-engineer business processes. The acquisition team (for example: program manager, contracting officer, technical support, requirements personnel, and customer representatives) should tailor the nature and extent of the techniques used to each acquisition. Early exchanges with industry can also facilitate the following objectives:
(i) Overcome barriers to acquiring commercial items and technologies and emulating commercial business practices;
(ii) Develop more effective acquisition strategies and procurements tailored to elicit the best commercial solutions available;
(iii) Emulate commercial manufacturing, distribution, and inventory management techniques (e.g., manufacturing on demand, direct vendor delivery, electronic tracking of inventory, and the electronic commercial catalogue);
(iv) Create new buyer-seller relationships that reduce suppliers’ dependence on defense business and facilitate integration of defense and commercial industrial bases (e.g., teaming arrangements, dual-use technologies, and shared production agreements with suppliers); and
(v) Make available a defense mobilization base capable of responding to peacetime supply requirements and in time of emergencies.
(c)(3) Sources sought announcements and letters to known potential sources are effective market research methods to identify interested suppliers and available products and capabilities.
(c)(6) Draft requests for proposals (DRFP's) provide industry an opportunity to comment on any aspect of the proposed acquisition prior to issuing a solicitation. It is appropriate to use DRFP's whenever, in the contracting officer's judgment, the acquisition will benefit significantly from early industry involvement. DRFPs are an effective means to resolve potential contract issues and obtain feedback from prospective offerors. Such information can lead to significant cost savings and productivity enhancements; reduce proposal preparation and evaluation time; reduce the need for solicitation amendments and preclude other delays that disrupt timely completion of the acquisition; and result in better proposals, end products, and services. The use of DRFPs can encourage potential sources to provide valuable comments on such matters as:
(A) Proposed customer requirements, including identification of requirements that are "cost drivers;"
(B) Proposed acquisition and evaluation strategy, including business and technical approaches;
(C) Contract methodology, including how best to elicit proposals based on current and emerging commercial practices, and contract type;
(D) Methods to reduce proposal and contract costs and explore technology advancements and contract incentives; and
(E) Revisions to performance, schedule, or other contractual requirements.
The contracting officer should publicize the DRFP using a variety of methods, such as CBD announcements and those methods addressed at 15.201(c) and FAR 5.101(b). The publication and response times for proposed contract actions at FAR 5.203 are not mandatory for DRFPs. The contracting officer should establish reasonable times for receipt of responses to DRFPs that reflect the nature of the product or service, the supply base, and the specifics of the individual procurement. Requirements shall be synopsized in accordance with FAR 5.203 prior to issuing the solicitation. Alternatively, notice of the availability of the DRFP and a future date when the solicitation will be issued may be included in the same synopsis.
(d) Preproposal Conferences. If a preproposal conference is planned, insert the provision at DLAD 52.215-9007 Preproposal Conference. If the contracting officer determines that additional publicity is in the best interests of the Government, a special notice on the Government Point of Entry at http://www.fedbizopps.gov may also be used as provided by FAR 5.205(c).
