What is the focus of the LPTA approach in procurement?

• A. The most expensive option wins
• B. A randomized selection process
• C. The lowest price while meeting technical requirements
• D. The highest scoring technical proposal regardless of price

Answer: (C)

In Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) procurement, the emphasis is on cost while ensuring basic technical requirements are met. Proposals are first evaluated to confirm they meet all minimum technical and performance criteria. Among those that are technically acceptable, the contract goes to the one with the lowest price. This approach is used when requirements are clear and well-defined, and the risk of nonperformance is low, so price becomes the main differentiator.

The other scenarios don’t fit LPTA: selecting the most expensive option runs counter to the purpose of choosing the lowest bid; a randomized selection isn’t how procurement decisions are made; and prioritizing the highest scoring technical proposal regardless of price describes a best-value or tradeoff approach, not LPTA, where cost governs once technical acceptability is established.