Which statement describes the Best Value selection criteria?

Which statement describes the Best Value selection criteria?

• A. Price only
• B. Non-price factors only
• C. Best Value describes the criteria balancing price and non-price factors
• D. Schedule and price

Answer: (C)

Best Value selection criteria balance price with non-price factors to determine the most advantageous proposal. In this approach, the owner weighs what the project will truly deliver—quality, risk, schedule, and long-term performance—alongside cost. Non-price factors can include technical approach, project team qualifications, management plan, past performance, safety, and schedule risk, all of which influence the overall value of the project. The goal isn’t to pick the cheapest option or to favor qualitative factors alone, but to find the best combination of cost and value that meets the project’s needs and minimizes total lifecycle cost. A higher bid may still win if it offers superior value through better quality, lower risk, faster or more reliable schedule, or stronger long-term results. The other choices are too narrow: price only ignores quality and risk, non-price factors only ignores cost, and focusing only on schedule and price leaves out other important value drivers.

Best Value selection criteria balance price with non-price factors to determine the most advantageous proposal. In this approach, the owner weighs what the project will truly deliver—quality, risk, schedule, and long-term performance—alongside cost. Non-price factors can include technical approach, project team qualifications, management plan, past performance, safety, and schedule risk, all of which influence the overall value of the project. The goal isn’t to pick the cheapest option or to favor qualitative factors alone, but to find the best combination of cost and value that meets the project’s needs and minimizes total lifecycle cost. A higher bid may still win if it offers superior value through better quality, lower risk, faster or more reliable schedule, or stronger long-term results. The other choices are too narrow: price only ignores quality and risk, non-price factors only ignores cost, and focusing only on schedule and price leaves out other important value drivers.