Which offerors are included in the competitive range?

The correct choice is one that reflects the concept of the competitive range in federal contracting. When establishing a competitive range, the focus is primarily on the quality of the proposals presented. This means that only those offerors who submit the most highly rated proposals—typically characterized by technical merit, qualifications, and value—are included.

The rationale behind this practice is to ensure that the government awards contracts to those who can deliver the best overall solutions to the requirements set forth in the solicitation. It's about maximizing value and effectiveness while minimizing risk to the government.

Other options, while they may seem relevant, do not fully capture the intent of the competitive range. For instance, choosing offerors based on being just below the best price or possessing any past performance history can lead to the selection of less capable candidates. Similarly, simply meeting minimum submission requirements does not guarantee that an offeror can fulfill the specific needs of the contract effectively. Thus, the emphasis on the most highly rated proposals is crucial in forming a productive and competitive range for negotiations.