One streamlining tool that eases the job of evaluation is the use of oral presentations (characterized by "real-time interactive dialogue"). These presentations provide information about the contractor's management and/or technical approach that the integrated project team will use in evaluation, selection, and award.

Oral presentations provide "face time," permitting the integrated project team to assess prospective contractors. Agencies have said that oral presentations remove the "screen" that professional proposal writers can erect in front of the contractor's key personnel. The integrated project team should take full advantage of "face time" by requiring that the project manager and key personnel (those who will do the work) make the presentations. This gives agency evaluators an opportunity to see part of the vendor-proposed solution team, to ask specific questions, and to gauge how well the team works together and would be likely to work with the agency.

Oral presentations can lay out the proposed solution and the contractor's capability and understanding of the requirement. Oral presentations may substitute for, or augment, written information. However, it's important to remember that statements made in oral presentations are not binding unless written into the contract. Note that oral presentations must be recorded in some way.

Communication with offerors is an important element of selecting the right contractor. Despite this fact, it is "trendy" in negotiated procurements to announce the intent to award without discussions. Given the complexities associated with performance-based proposals (i.e., different approaches and different performance metrics), it is nearly impossible to award without conducting discussions. While it may reduce time, it is important to use discussions to fully understand the quality of the solution, the pricing approach, incentive structure, and even the selection itself.