Independent Government Cost Estimate. An Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) is a tool developed by government personnel to estimate the costs incurred by a Contractor in the performance of a contract. An IGCE is generated by the government, who may utilize and obtain input from an outside Contractor. Such Contractor remains confidential and will not be allowed to respond to a solicitation for which it participated in the IGCE in any manner whatsoever. The IGCE is an unbiased realistic cost estimate that reflects a clear understanding of the requirements. IGCEs serve various functions as: • A projected, anticipated, or probable cost; • A benchmark for establishing cost/price analysis; • An analysis of reasonable and required resources to perform the contract; and • A justification for decisions made throughout the procurement life cycle. Specifically, IGCEs are used to project and reserve funds for acquisitions, determine if assumptions in a cost proposal are based on the same or similar assumptions, and determine fair and reasonable pricing. This category of services is for consultation and/or assistance in the development of IGCEs. Government agencies do not always have sufficient resources or expertise to conduct these cost estimates on their own and may rely on third party Contractors to generate these reports on their behalf. Contractors providing these services under the resultant cooperative agreement shall be required to sign non-disclosure agreements and may not have a vested interest in the contract for which the Contractor is generating the estimate. Contractor must be unbiased and objective in its approach and methodologies. Services within this category are as follows:
