Federal glossary · Process
BAFO (Best and Final Offer) is the final proposal revision submitted after discussions in a negotiated procurement. Now officially called "Final Proposal Revision" in FAR.
Reference record · Sources: Federal Acquisition Regulation · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Best and Final Offer
Also known as
BAFO (Best and Final Offer) is the final proposal revision submitted after discussions in a negotiated procurement. Now officially called "Final Proposal Revision" in FAR.
(Best and Final Offer) is a process concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
BAFO is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. Knowing where BAFO fits in the larger acquisition arc — from market research through award through performance — helps contractors time their engagement, identify the right contracting officials, and avoid showing up too late to influence the requirement. Many proposal failures trace back to misunderstanding when BAFO occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow BAFO, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.
Meaning in practice
BAFO is a step in a government workflow or procurement lifecycle.
Where you’ll see it
You will see it in NOFOs, solicitations, evaluation sections, award letters, and procedural instructions.
Common confusion
People often confuse the document that describes the process with the process itself.
What to do next
Identify the deadline, owner, and artifacts the process produces before you move forward.
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