Under what condition may an award be made in the tradeoff approach to source selection?

In the tradeoff approach to source selection, an award may be made to a higher-priced, technically superior proposal primarily because this approach allows for a more nuanced evaluation of proposals beyond just price. The tradeoff method acknowledges that there may be instances where a slightly higher cost can be justified by superior technical capabilities, additional features, better past performance, or other factors that align closely with the needs of the government.

This approach is beneficial because it emphasizes solution quality and ensures that the government selects the most advantageous proposal overall, rather than strictly the lowest priced option. When the technical advantages of a proposal align with the strategic objectives of the project, the additional expense can be acceptable and even necessary to achieve desired outcomes. This flexibility is a cornerstone of effective sourcing in complex procurement situations where the best value goes beyond mere pricing.

Other options restrict the circumstances significantly and do not recognize the complexities inherent in procurement where value derives from a combination of price and qualitative factors. Therefore, option C reflects the core principle of the tradeoff method, which is to balance price with technical merit in a way that serves the objectives of the acquisition process.