XL EagleLPTA (Lowest Price Technically Acceptable)
LPTA stands for Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. Lowest Price Technically Acceptable, or LPTA, is a source selection method where non-price factors are graded only as acceptable or unacceptable. Among the acceptable proposals, the one with the lowest evaluated price wins. There are no extra points for exceeding the requirements.
LPTA works best when the requirement is clear and the risk of poor performance is low. Defense agencies in particular face legal limits on using it for complex or knowledge-based services, so it shows up more often for routine work.
Why it matters to a small contractor
For an LPTA buy, write to pass, not to impress. Hit every requirement clearly so you are rated acceptable, then make your price as sharp as you safely can. Extra features you add will not earn credit but may raise your price.
Example
A solicitation for parking lot striping uses LPTA. Three firms are rated acceptable, and the lowest of those three at $41,200 wins, even though a higher-priced firm offered a longer warranty.
LPTA: common questions
Can an LPTA proposal lose even if it has the lowest price?
Yes. If any required non-price factor is rated unacceptable, the proposal is out no matter how low the price.
Is past performance considered in LPTA?
It can be, as a pass or fail factor. Read Section M to see which factors are evaluated.
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