[New changes to DOD contracting YOU need to KNOW about]
So the new rule is putting contractors on notice that you really need to stay on top of your risk scores that are being produced by this system if you want to be competitive in future DoD evaluations. It is also starting to bring to the forefront some of the cybersecurity regulations that have been percolating and in place for a number of years now. For many years, the supplier performance risk system, most contractors exposure to it was the requirement to input their self-assessment of their compliance with NIST 800-171, which is the full breadth of best practices in cybersecurity. And it was just a go no go requirement. You need your evaluation in there. Now that these scores are actually going to be used in the evaluation, this is the first step along with CMMC coming out later this summer, that cybersecurity is going to be considered in all DoD procurements.
Thus, Contractors must consider this information and must consider each of the three scores that are produced, such as:
1. The price risk score.
2. The item risk score.
3. The supplier risk score.
But how exactly that is used in comparison with the other evaluation criteria is not clear which is the key argument in this article. Read for yourselves and do your research to stay on top of your risk scores.
https://federalnewsnetwork.com/contracting/2023/06/contracting-officers-have-a-new-rule-contractors-should-worry-about/