Reference · Contracting basics & process
LPTA
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable
Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) is a source-selection method that awards to the lowest-priced offer meeting stated acceptability criteria. Unlike best-value tradeoff, it gives no credit for exceeding the minimum — price decides among acceptable offers.
What it is
Under LPTA, the government sets pass/fail technical criteria; every offer that passes is 'technically acceptable,' and the lowest-priced acceptable offer wins. There is no reward for a superior technical proposal.
Why it exists
For well-defined, commodity-like requirements where any compliant solution is equally good, LPTA is efficient. Policy has narrowed its use where quality differences matter.
Who it applies to
Offerors on LPTA solicitations — knowing a competition is LPTA vs. best-value changes how you price and propose.
Frequently asked
What is LPTA?
LPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable) is a source-selection method that awards to the lowest-priced offer that meets the stated technical acceptability criteria. It gives no extra credit for exceeding the minimum, unlike a best-value tradeoff.
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