Desk reference

Required postaward debriefing content and completion dates

What a civilian Part 15 must cover, what it cannot disclose, and why follow-up questions are not automatic clock extenders.

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Postaward debriefing content (FAR 15.506(d))

FAR 15.506(d) calls for or in the debriefed offeror’s proposal, the overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful offeror and the debriefed offeror, the overall ranking of offerors when one was developed, a summary of the rationale for award, and reasonable responses to relevant questions about whether procedures in the were followed. A debriefing supplies leads and dates for protest triage — not courtroom discovery or a negotiation to reopen the competition.

Watch for

Don’t expect point-by-point comparisons with other offerors’ proposals or disclosure of protected trade secrets, confidential commercial information, cost breakdowns, profit, indirect rates, or names of individuals providing reference information — FAR 15.506(e) bars those.

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Debriefing completion date

On civilian FAR Part 15 procurements, ordinary written follow-up questions do not import the DoD enhanced-debriefing regime or extend filing or stay clocks by themselves. Ask precise process questions, document what the agency says about when the debriefing is complete, and calculate each protest and stay deadline under the rules actually applicable to that procurement. Capture owns the question list; counsel owns the calendar.

Watch for

Don’t assume follow-up correspondence tolls ’s merits clock or the window on a civilian buy.

Postaward debriefing content (FAR 15.506(d))

Debriefing completion date

Further reading