Technical evaluation is the structured assessment of each proposal against the evaluation factors stated in Section M. The evaluation is performed by a Technical Evaluation Board (or Source Selection Evaluation Board), composed of subject matter experts who score each proposal independently and then converge on consensus findings. The TEB documents strengths, weaknesses, deficiencies, and risks against each factor, producing the technical record that supports the source selection authority's award decision. The TEB does not see pricing during the technical evaluation — price is evaluated separately to prevent technical scoring from being influenced by cost.
Rating systems vary by agency. Adjectival ratings (Outstanding, Good, Acceptable, Marginal, Unacceptable) are common in DoD and many civilian agencies. Color ratings (Blue, Purple, Green, Yellow, Red) are used in some commands. Numerical scoring is less common in best-value tradeoff evaluations because it can constrain source selection discretion. Each system maps to underlying definitions for a strength, a weakness, a deficiency, or a risk. Adjectival or color ratings are not formulas — the source selection authority weighs them with the documented narrative findings.
For contractors, technical evaluation discipline starts with Section M alignment. Each evaluation factor must receive direct, evidence-backed treatment. Evaluators score what is written, not what the offeror knows. Generic capability statements that fail to address specific factors produce Acceptable ratings at best. Ratings of Outstanding or Good require the offeror to demonstrate strengths — specific features that exceed requirements and provide measurable benefit to the government.