LPTA BCM Sample

I am a contrats specialist intern with the Marine Corps and attempting to complete my first BCM. I have been told this BCM should be relatively easy but the samples I have available are from extremely large and more complicated aquisitions. The template I have to follow applies to all BCMs so there are parts I am sure are not applicable to me. I am looking for a sample BCM that is closer to my situation, or advice on what parts are applicable for my situation.

Here are the facts:

LPTA; commercial item; competitive; three proposals recieved; One proposal passed technical evaluation; Two proposals did not. The proposal that passed technically is also the lowest priced. Determining who to award to is easy; constructing a proper BCM is my problem. I appreciate all help.

BoomerMan...(ex-bubblehead)

Is BCM an acronym for Business Clearance Memorandum? If so, the Marine Corps should have guidance on the form and content of BCMs. Each agency, sometimes each contracting office, provides this guidance to its contracting officers.

Take a look here: http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/cmpg/usmc_cmpg/bcm.htm.

Is BCM an acronym for Business Clearance Memorandum? If so, the Marine Corps should have guidance on the form and content of BCMs. Each agency, sometimes each contracting office, provides this guidance to its contracting officers.

Take a look here: http://www.hqmc.usmc.mil/cmpg/usmc_cmpg/bcm.htm.

Napolik, Thanks for your quick reply. Yes, you are correct, I have found guidance on the template provided by the Marine Corps but, the "if applicable" caveat seems to raise its head throughout the directions. This is the part that is throwing me for a loop. The sample BCMs, I have managed to collect, have a lot of material that common sense tells me I dont need to include in mine...but I don't want to use my common sense and get stepped on, so I am hoping I can get advice on what is the most critical information needed and I don't get too wordy. I guess what I am looking for is to see if a streamlined BCM exists for such situations; We intend to award without discussions. Thanks for yout help.

Napolik, Thanks for your quick reply. Yes, you are correct, I have found guidance on the template provided by the Marine Corps but, the "if applicable" caveat seems to raise its head throughout the directions. This is the part that is throwing me for a loop. The sample BCMs, I have managed to collect, have a lot of material that common sense tells me I dont need to include in mine...but I don't want to use my common sense and get stepped on, so I am hoping I can get advice on what is the most critical information needed and I don't get too wordy. I guess what I am looking for is to see if a streamlined BCM exists for such situations; We intend to award without discussions. Thanks for yout help.

You need to get guidance from someone in your office. Ask your boss what he or she expects to see in the BCM.

You need to get guidance from someone in your office. Ask your boss what he or she expects to see in the BCM.

Thanks, I normally would seek local guidance, but he is out this week and I am out next week. I was hoping to leave something on his desk for review.

I think by now you are aware that your situation is common and nothing exists out there to help you. The reason is two fold:

(1) The alleged academics who create stuff like that in the link do not work in the real world and have no grasp of reality as it relates to your limited resources, time restrictions, and evaluating risk (in your example, almost zero risk). So they copy and paste everthing they see and create a bunch of undoable crap that could only probably be accomplished if you were on am $300B program that you have 18 months to complete. and

(2) The truly experienced people in the field have what you are looking for, but they cannot publicize it because the fake academics out there would tear it apart using the FAR and other out-of-touch-with-reality literature.

The solution is to find those few in the field that really know the job and develop a relationship with them. Then expand your network with others that really know the job and never publish what you know - just share with trusted and capable friends.

I know that is not what you wanted, but it is a start to get you on your way.

You need to get guidance from someone in your office. Ask your boss what he or she expects to see in the BCM.

I tend to agree.

When I was developing Army BCM's, there was a canned format. I answered the questions which were applicable and answered those inapplicable ones with "N/A" or similar response. That was a long time ago.

I think by now you are aware that your situation is common and nothing exists out there to help you. The reason is two fold:

(1) The alleged academics who create stuff like that in the link ...

Great advice.

.