$1.$ FAR Part $15-$ Contracting by Negotiation

Scenario: A government agency is looking to procure a new, highly advanced cybersecurity software system. Given the unique and complex requirements, the agency decides to proceed under FAR Part $15$ to negotiate a contract.

Questions:

What steps should the agency take to prepare for negotiations to ensure they achieve the best possible outcome?

Discuss the importance of establishing a pre$-$negotiation objective and how it would apply in this scenario.

How should the agency handle proprietary information during the negotiation process to maintain fairness to all parties involved?