The objective of the preliminary screening is to determine which proposals from among those received before the established deadline are valid for evaluation.

Preliminary screening considers the formal criteria established in the solicitation documents to make this determination. 

In the case of small-value procurement and RFQs, this process is conducted by the staff conducting procurement and documented in the note for the file.  

In the case of RFPs and ITBs, the determination is made by the bid opening committee at the moment the proposals and bids are opened.

Proposals that do not meet all of the formal criteria are not acceptable—they must be rejected and receive no further consideration during the evaluation process.

In all cases, every received proposal must be registered. Those failing to pass the preliminary screening registered are documented, as is the reason for their rejection.