September 2026 - Award Debriefings

An award debrief offers more than an explanation of why you lost, it provides insights that can improve your next pursuit.

But making the debrief meaningful isn’t solely the Government’s responsibility. The offeror has a role, too.

Too often, companies enter a debrief in “listening mode” with little or no preparation. That leaves valuable information on the table.

Here are four ways to get more from your next debrief:

1. Revisit your proposal.
Review your proposal before the debrief. Award decisions can take months, and the pursuit team may need to reacquaint itself with the solicitation, proposal, evaluation criteria, and strategy.

2. Know the rules.
Understand the debriefing framework established by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Don’t just know which topics may be discussed, but understand what the FAR requires the Government to disclose and why.

3. Prepare questions and have a strategy.
Develop your questions in advance and know what you want to learn from each one. Use them to better understand how the Government evaluated your proposal and whether the evaluation was consistent with the solicitation and stated criteria. See FAR 15.506(d)(6).

4. Be positive and collaborative.
Avoid approaching the debrief as though you have been wronged. A debrief is a deliberate part of the acquisition process and an opportunity to learn.

The value you get from a debrief depends largely on what you put into it. Done well, it informs your next steps and strengthens future pursuits.