Which statement about the lowest-price criterion in RFB is accurate?

Which statement about the lowest-price criterion in RFB is accurate?

• A. The bid with the lowest price
• B. The bid with the lowest price that meets all bid requirements
• C. The bid with the lowest price and responsible bidder in compliance with bid requirements
• D. The bid with the highest number of years in operation

Answer: (C)

In this bidding approach, the contract goes to the bid that is the lowest price among those bids that are both responsive to all bid requirements and submitted by a responsible bidder. Responsiveness means the bid follows every mandatory requirement, format, and certification stated in the bid documents. Responsibility means the bidder is capable of performing the contract—financially stable, legally compliant, and with a track record of meeting terms. This combination ensures value while also reducing risk that the project will be delivered poorly or not at all. Choosing only by price ignores whether the bidder can perform; choosing by price plus only the requirement compliance still could miss whether the bidder is capable of delivering. The option you want reflects both cost-effectiveness and the ability to fulfill the contract. The one that focuses solely on price, or solely on compliance without confirming capability, or on unrelated factors like years in operation, would not align with best practice.

In this bidding approach, the contract goes to the bid that is the lowest price among those bids that are both responsive to all bid requirements and submitted by a responsible bidder. Responsiveness means the bid follows every mandatory requirement, format, and certification stated in the bid documents. Responsibility means the bidder is capable of performing the contract—financially stable, legally compliant, and with a track record of meeting terms. This combination ensures value while also reducing risk that the project will be delivered poorly or not at all. Choosing only by price ignores whether the bidder can perform; choosing by price plus only the requirement compliance still could miss whether the bidder is capable of delivering. The option you want reflects both cost-effectiveness and the ability to fulfill the contract. The one that focuses solely on price, or solely on compliance without confirming capability, or on unrelated factors like years in operation, would not align with best practice.