252.215-7996 Notification to Offerors—Postaward Debriefings

This clause was introduced by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (EO 14275) and does not appear in the codified eCFR. It applies to contracts using the RFO model.

RFO Prescription

215.301-70 Solicitation provision.

Insert the provision at 252.215-7996, Notification to Offerors—Postaward
Debriefings, in competitive negotiated solicitations for contract awards valued at
$15 million or more, including solicitations using FAR part 12 procedures for the
acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.

Current Text (RFO)

NOTIFICATION TO OFFERORS—POSTAWARD DEBRIEFINGS (DEVIATION 2026-O0048) (MAR 2026)

(a) Definition. As used in this provision—

"Nontraditional defense contractor" means an entity that is not currently
performing and has not performed any contract or subcontract for DoD that is
subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to
41 U.S.C. 1502 and the regulations implementing such section, for at least the 1-
year period preceding the solicitation of sources by DoD for the procurement (10
U.S.C. 3014).

(b) Postaward debriefing.

(1) Upon timely request, the Government will provide a written or oral
postaward debriefing to successful or unsuccessful offerors for contract awards
valued at $15 million

(2) When required, the minimum postaward debriefing information will
include the following:

(i) For contracts in excess of $15 million and not in excess of $150
million with a small business or nontraditional defense contractor, an option for the
small business or nontraditional defense contractor to request disclosure of the
agency's written source selection decision document, redacted to protect the
confidential and proprietary information of other offerors for the contract award.

(ii) For contracts in excess of $150 million, disclosure of the agency's
written source selection decision document, redacted to protect the confidential and
proprietary information of other offerors for the contract award.

(3) If a required postaward debriefing is provided—

(i) The debriefed Offeror may submit additional written questions
related to the debriefing not later than 2 business days after the date of the
debriefing;

(ii) The agency will respond in writing to timely submitted additional
questions within 5 business days after receipt by the contracting officer; and

(iii) The postaward debriefing will not be considered to be concluded
until the later of—

(A) The date that the postaward debriefing is delivered, orally or in
writing; or

(B) If additional written questions related to the debriefing are
timely received, the date the agency delivers its written response.

(c) Contract performance. The Government may suspend performance of or
terminate the awarded contract upon notice from the Government Accountability
Office of a protest filed within the time periods listed in paragraphs (c)(1) through
(3) of this provision, whichever is later:

(1) Within 10 days after the date of contract award.

(2) Within 5 days after a debriefing date offered to the protestor under a
timely debriefing request in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
15.301 unless an earlier debriefing date is negotiated as a result.

(3) Within 5 days after a postaward debriefing under FAR 15.301 is
concluded in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
215.301-170.

(End of provision)