Offerors’ Failure to Furnish Data Requested by the Contracting Officer

Before awarding any contract, contracting officers must make an affirmative statement that the contract price is fair and reasonable. When competition exists, price reasonableness can usually be established without requiring any additional supporting data. However, for sole source acquisitions, contracting officers must obtain the data necessary to establish price reasonableness. For contracting actions subject to TINA (Truth in Negotiations Act), the requirement to furnish certified cost or pricing data serves this purpose. However, for actions not subject to TINA, contractors may be requested to prepare and submit additional data to support their proposed prices.

SOURCE: Offerors’ Failure to Furnish Data Requested by the Contracting Officer