((a)) ** .—** Sealed bids shall be opened publicly at the time and place stated in the solicitation.

((b)) ** .—** The executive agency shall evaluate the bids in accordance with without discussions with the bidders and, except as provided in , shall award a contract with reasonable promptness to the responsible source whose bid conforms to the solicitation and is most advantageous to the Federal Government, considering only price and the other price-related factors included in the solicitation.

((c)) ** .—** The award of a contract shall be made by transmitting, in writing or by electronic means, notice of the award to the successful bidder. Within 3 days after the date of contract award, the executive agency shall notify, in writing or by electronic means, each bidder not awarded the contract that the contract has been awarded.