Final Proposal Revision (FPR)

A Final Proposal Revision (FPR) is the definitive written proposal submission that competitive-range offerors make after government discussions conclude, their last opportunity to address weaknesses, revise pricing, and strengthen their position before the award decision.

What is a Final Proposal Revision?

Under FAR 15.307, after discussions are completed with all competitive-range offerors, the contracting officer issues a request for Final Proposal Revisions (also called "BAFO", best and final offer, under some agency practices, though this term is technically outdated). The FPR request gives offerors a specific deadline to submit their revised and final proposals.

The FPR represents the contractor's definitive offer, after the FPR deadline, no further revisions are allowed unless the government re-opens discussions (which is permissible but uncommon). The FPR is evaluated by the SSEB using the same criteria as the initial evaluation, and ratings may change based on how well offerors addressed the issues raised in discussions.

Key principles governing FPRs:

• No second chances after FPR. Once the FPR deadline passes, the contract file is closed for offer revision. Late FPR submissions are treated the same as late proposals, generally rejected.
• Offerors may improve or not change. An offeror who believes their initial proposal was strong may choose not to revise any technical sections. Only price must generally be addressed if the government gave price guidance.
• Changes must be compliant. Offerors cannot introduce new technical approaches in FPR that were not evaluated during discussions, revisions must be responsive to issues raised, not attempts to submit a materially different proposal.
• The evaluation resets to FPR. The government evaluates the FPR, not the initial proposal. A rating earned in initial evaluation can go up, down, or stay the same based on FPR content.

Why FPRs matter for government contractors

The FPR is often the moment competitions are decided. A company that was in second place on initial evaluation can win by addressing every weakness thoroughly in FPR. A company that was first on initial technical but complacent in FPR can lose ground. Experienced proposal teams treat the FPR request with the same urgency as the original proposal submission, a dedicated response team reviews every evaluation notice, drafts targeted revisions, and ensures that every identified weakness is not just addressed but resolved. Price discipline in FPR is also critical, submitting the lowest competitive price that still preserves profitability often swings the best value tradeoff.

Example

After initial evaluation on a Navy IT services contract, Company A rates Good/Good/Satisfactory Confidence (Technical/Management/Past Performance) at $9.8M. Company B rates Outstanding/Good/Satisfactory Confidence at $10.9M. Company B received one deficiency EN (staffing for 24/7 operations) and one weakness EN (transition plan detail). In FPR: Company B revises staffing to a fully documented three-shift rotation, resolving the deficiency; adds a detailed 90-day transition plan, resolving the weakness; reduces price to $10.2M. Final ratings: Company A Good/Good/Satisfactory at $9.8M; Company B Outstanding/Good/Substantial Confidence at $10.2M. The SSA determines Company B's Outstanding technical rating, specifically the risk reduction from 24/7 staffing, justifies the $400K annual premium. Company B wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an FPR and a BAFO?

BAFO (Best and Final Offer) was the FAR term prior to the 1997 Federal Acquisition Reform Act. The current FAR uses "Final Proposal Revision." Many practitioners still use BAFO informally. They mean the same thing, the final offer submission after discussions.

Can I withdraw my offer during the FPR period?

Yes. An offeror can withdraw from a competition at any time before award, including during the FPR period. There are no penalties for withdrawal in a competitive negotiated procurement (unlike sealed bidding, where a bid bond may be forfeited for improper withdrawal).

Can the government make award on initial proposals without requesting FPR?

Yes. If the solicitation states that discussions may or may not be held, and if initial proposals are so clear that discussions are unnecessary, the contracting officer can make an award on initial proposals without conducting discussions or requesting FPR. This is common in "no discussions" acquisitions disclosed in the solicitation.

What should I include in my FPR cover letter?

FPR cover letters should explicitly acknowledge that the FPR supersedes all prior proposal versions, confirm the firm's continued commitment to the revised technical approach, and document any price changes from the initial proposal. Some agencies provide a specific FPR format requirement, if so, follow it exactly.