XL EagleBrand Name or Equal
Brand Name or Equal. A brand name or equal purchase description names a specific product to describe what the government wants, but allows offerors to propose an equivalent product. To be considered equal, the alternative must meet all the salient characteristics listed in the solicitation.
If you offer an equal product, you usually must clearly identify it (brand, model) and provide descriptive literature that proves it meets each salient characteristic. Buying a brand name only, with no equal allowed, requires the agency to justify that restriction.
Why it matters to a small contractor
Brand name or equal opens doors for suppliers who carry a different line. But the burden of proof is on you. Build a side-by-side table showing how your product meets each listed characteristic, and attach the spec sheet. If you cannot prove it, your offer may be rejected even at a lower price.
Example
An RFQ asks for a specific brand of commercial floor scrubber or equal, with salient characteristics of a 20-inch scrub path, 15-gallon tank and battery runtime of at least 3 hours. A supplier offers a different brand with a spec sheet showing a 20-inch path, 17-gallon tank and 3.5-hour runtime.
Brand Name or Equal: common questions
Do I have to offer the exact brand?
No, unless the solicitation says brand name only. You can offer an equal product that meets every salient characteristic.
What happens if my equal product misses one characteristic?
It may be found not equal and your offer rejected. Read the list carefully and ask questions before the deadline if a characteristic seems too narrow.
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