Source Selection Evaluation Team (SSET)

The Source Selection Evaluation Team (SSET) is a group of subject matter experts and acquisition personnel responsible for evaluating contractor proposals against solicitation criteria. The team documents evaluation findings and provides recommendations to support the Source Selection Authority’s contract award decision.

What Is the Source Selection Evaluation Team?

The Source Selection Evaluation Team, commonly referred to as the SSET, is a group appointed to evaluate contractor proposals and provide findings and recommendations to the Source Selection Authority.

The team analyzes proposals based on the evaluation criteria defined in the solicitation and ensures that evaluations are objective, well-documented, and compliant with procurement requirements.

Key Characteristics

Composed of subject matter experts and acquisition personnel

Evaluates proposals using pre-established solicitation criteria

Documents strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, and risks

Supports best value tradeoff analysis and award decisions

Does not have authority to make the final contract award decision

How It Works in Government Contracting

Where It Appears in the Procurement Lifecycle: The SSET operates during the proposal evaluation phase of negotiated procurements.

Who Uses It: Technical evaluators, contracting officials, cost analysts, and legal advisors typically serve on or support the SSET.

Why It Matters: The SSET provides structured, criteria-based analysis that forms the foundation for the final award decision.

Practical Application: After proposals are submitted for a federal IT contract, the SSET reviews technical approaches, pricing data, and past performance information. The team assigns ratings, identifies risks, and prepares evaluation reports for the Source Selection Authority.

Regulatory Framework

The SSET operates under federal acquisition regulations and agency-specific procedures, including:

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15

Agency-specific source selection procedures

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) for defense-related procurements

Why It Matters for Contractors

Business Implications: Contractors must ensure proposals clearly address every evaluation factor since the SSET evaluates strictly against solicitation criteria.

Compliance Impact: Incomplete, unclear, or nonresponsive submissions may receive lower evaluation ratings or be eliminated from consideration.

Strategic Importance: Clear documentation of technical strengths, performance capability, and measurable value improves evaluation outcomes.

Risk Considerations: Unsupported claims, ambiguities, or weak technical explanations may be identified as risks or weaknesses during evaluation.

Common Misconceptions

The SSET makes the final award decision.

The Source Selection Authority makes the final award determination based on SSET findings and recommendations.

Proposal evaluations are subjective and informal.

Evaluations must be documented, justified, and tied directly to solicitation criteria.

Price alone determines contract selection.

Technical merit, past performance, and risk are also evaluated as part of the best value determination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who appoints the Source Selection Evaluation Team?

The contracting agency designates SSET members based on technical expertise and procurement requirements.

What does the SSET evaluate?

The SSET evaluates technical proposals, cost or price proposals, past performance information, and risk factors.

Does the SSET communicate directly with contractors?

No. All communications with contractors are handled through the contracting officer.

How can contractors improve their SSET evaluation outcome?

By aligning proposals closely with evaluation factors, providing clear supporting evidence, and addressing potential risks proactively.