A debriefing is the formal feedback session the contracting officer provides to offerors after the source selection process concludes. Two types exist. Pre-award debriefings under FAR 15.505 are provided to offerors excluded from the competitive range; they cover the basis for the exclusion, the evaluation of the offeror's proposal, and a summary of factors and subfactors. Post-award debriefings under FAR 15.506 are provided to unsuccessful offerors after award and cover the evaluation of the offeror's proposal, the overall ranking of all offerors, an assessment of the government's evaluation of significant weaknesses or deficiencies, and a summary of the rationale for award. Both types must be requested in writing within three days of the offeror's notification.
Debriefings have specific content rules. The CO must disclose the agency's evaluation of the requesting offeror's proposal, the factors and weights stated in the solicitation, the awardee's overall evaluated cost or price, and the technical rating of the awardee. The CO cannot disclose another offeror's confidential business information or trade secrets. DoD enhanced debriefings under DFARS 215.506 add a written Q&A follow-on within five days of the oral debriefing — extending the protest window correspondingly. The protest clock runs from the debriefing date for properly requested debriefings.
For small contractors, debriefings serve two purposes beyond the immediate award. First, they provide the most actionable intelligence available about how the government evaluated the firm's proposal. Second, they preserve protest rights and trigger the automatic stay timing under CICA. Skipping a debriefing forfeits both benefits.