What is the primary restriction regarding pre-award debriefings?

The primary restriction regarding pre-award debriefings is that they shall not disclose the number of offerors. During the pre-award debriefing process, the contracting officer provides specific feedback to offerors about their proposals; however, they must maintain certain confidentiality standards. One critical aspect of these debriefings is ensuring that competitive information is protected. Disclosing the number of offerors could compromise the integrity of the procurement process by revealing sensitive information that could inform the strategies and approaches of other potential competitors. Thus, this restriction helps maintain fairness and confidentiality in the competitive bidding environment.

The other aspects of pre-award debriefings, such as the permitted disclosure of pricing information or the requirement to include reasons for the award decision, may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the procurement and regulatory guidelines. Additionally, while contracting officers are typically responsible for conducting these debriefings, it's not solely limited to them in all contexts. Therefore, the focus on not disclosing the number of offerors stands out as a clear guideline to protect the competitive bidding process.