(a) At your discretion, you may consider the tradeoff technique when it is desirable to award to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror.

(b) If you use a tradeoff technique, the following apply:

(1) All evaluation factors and significant subfactors that will affect contract award and their relative importance must be clearly stated in the solicitation; and

(2) The solicitation must also state, at a minimum, whether all evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are—

(i) Significantly more important than cost or price; or

(ii) Approximately equal to cost or price; or

(iii) Significantly less important than cost or price.