Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Simplified acquisition procedures reduce administrative costs, promote contracting efficiency, and avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors. Understanding these methods of procurement begins with understanding the policies and laws outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 and other related parts. You will learn the roles and responsibilities of those who participate in the process, how to buy through the General Services Administration (GSA), ethical considerations, and other intricacies of simplified acquisition procedures.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss laws governing the use of required sources and simplified acquisitions
• Describe the responsibilities of participants in the process
• Evaluate purchase requests
• Make source of supply decisions
• Acquire supplies and services from established sources or the open market
• Apply socioeconomic policies and procedures
• Administer purchase, task, and delivery orders

Course Topics

Overview

• Definitions and Comparison of Terms
• Applicable Laws and Regulations
• Responsibilities and Authorities of Participants in the Acquisition Process
• Elements Essential to a Contract
• Summary
• Review Questions

Ethical Considerations

• Standards of Ethical Conduct
• Conflicting Financial Interests
• Gifts and Gratuities
• Restrictions on Obtaining and Disclosing Certain Information
• Organizational Conflicts of Interest
• Other Improper Business Practices
• Summary

Planning for Simplified Acquisitions

• Planning for Individual Acquisitions
• Market Research
• Key Elements to Be Addressed in Preparation and Review of Purchase Requests
• Summary
• Review Questions

Required Sources

• Priorities for Use of Government Supply Sources
• Inventories of Requiring Agency
• Excess Personal Property
• UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries, Inc.)
• Procurement List Maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
• Exercise: Ordering from UNICOR and AbilityOne Sources
• Summary
• Review Questions

Buying Through the General Services Administration

• GSA Global Supply
• GSA Schedules
• GSA Advantage!
• GSA Advantage! e-Buy
• Summary
• Review Questions

Other Established Sources

• Other Wholesale Sources
• Government Sources for Printing and Printed Items
• Other Existing Contracts
• Summary

Using Open Market Sources

• Formal Contracting Procedures
• Publicizing Contract Actions
• Deciding How Much Competition Is Adequate
• Soliciting Sources
• Handling Quotations
• Evaluating Submissions
• Negotiating the Purchase, Handling Other Communications with Vendors, and Documenting the Transaction
• Summary
• Review Questions

Implementing Small Business Preference Programs

• Small Business Procurement Goals
• Considerations When Utilizing Small Business Programs
• Small Business Set-Asides for Simplified Acquisitions
• Contracting with SBA (the 8(a) Program)
• HUBZone Program
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Procurement Program
• Women-Owned Small Business Program
• Summary
• Review Questions

Simplified Acquisition Ordering Methods

• Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Cards (GSA SmartPay 2 Program)
• Blanket Purchase Agreement
• SF 1449, Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items
• Purchase Order
• Purchase Order-Invoice-Voucher, Standard Form 44
• Indefinite Delivery Contracts
• Imprest Funds/Third Party Drafts
• Fast Payment Procedure
• Summary
• Review Questions

Additional Considerations Based on What is Being Bought

• Service Contracting
• Acquiring Supplies
• Sustainable Acquisition
• Requirements for EIT Acquisitions
• Acquiring Construction
• Summary
• Review Questions

Administration and Follow-Up

• Follow-up Procedures for Ensuring Timeliness and Adequacy of Delivery or Performance
• Modification, Cancellation, and Termination
• Payment and Closeout
• Delivery and Task Orders Placed with GSA Schedule Contractors
• Summary