Difference between revisions of "Simplified Acquisition Procedures"

Revision as of 10:14, 13 January 2016

Subject: Simplified Acquisition

Source: FAR

FAR Part: FAR 13

DFAR Part:

Simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) are the methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for purchasing supplies or services. They are designed for Government requirements where the requirements are minimal and simple, and the dollar threshold is small.

Per FAR 2.1

“Simplified acquisition procedures” means the methods prescribed in Part 13 for making purchases of supplies or services.

Simplified Acquisition Threshold

The Simplified Acquisition Threshold is $150,000, except for acquisitions of supplies or services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used to support a contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack (41 U.S.C. 428a), of which the thresholds are stated below.

(1) $300,000 for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, inside the United States; and

(2) $1 million for any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, outside the United States.

See also Simplified Acquisition Threshold

FAR Part 13 - Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Policy

(a) Agencies shall use simplified acquisition procedures to the maximum extent practicable for all purchases of supplies or services not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (including purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold). This policy does not apply if an agency can meet its requirement using—

(1) Required sources of supply under Part 8 (e.g., Federal Prison Industries, Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled, and Federal Supply Schedule contracts);

(2) Existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts; or

(3) Other established contracts.

(b)

(1) Each acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding $3,000 ($15,000 for acquisitions as described in 13.201(g)(1)) and not exceeding $150,000 ($300,000 for acquisitions described in paragraph (1)(Prisons, Purchases from People who are Blind, Severely Disabled, etc.[above]). of the Simplified Acquisition Threshold definition at 2.101) is reserved exclusively for small business concerns and shall be set aside (see 19.000, 19.203, and Subpart 19.5). See 19.000(b) and 19.502-2 for exceptions.

(2) The contracting officer may make an award to a small business under the 8(a) Program (see subpart 19.8), or set aside for HUBZone small business concerns (see 19.1305), service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns (see 19.1405), or economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns and woman-owned small business (WOSB) concerns eligible under the WOSB Program (see 19.1505), an acquisition of supplies or services that has an anticipated dollar value exceeding the micro-purchase threshold and at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.

The contracting officer shall not use simplified acquisition procedures to acquire supplies and services if the anticipated award will exceed—

(i) The simplified acquisition threshold; or

(ii) $6.5 million ($12 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(e)), including options, for acquisitions of commercial items using Subpart 13.5.

(2) Do not break down requirements aggregating more than the simplified acquisition threshold (or for commercial items, the threshold in Subpart 13.5) or the micro-purchase threshold into several purchases that are less than the applicable threshold merely to—

(i) Permit use of simplified acquisition procedures; or

(ii) Avoid any requirement that applies to purchases exceeding the micro-purchase threshold.

(d) An agency that has specific statutory authority to acquire personal services (see 37.104) may use simplified acquisition procedures to acquire those services.

(e) Agencies shall use the Governmentwide commercial purchase card and electronic purchasing techniques to the maximum extent practicable in conducting simplified acquisitions (but see 32.1108(b)(2)).

(f) Agencies shall maximize the use of electronic commerce when practicable and cost-effective (see Subpart 4.5). Drawings and lengthy specifications can be provided off-line in hard copy or through other appropriate means.

(g) Authorized individuals shall make purchases in the simplified manner that is most suitable, efficient, and economical based on the circumstances of each acquisition. For acquisitions not expected to exceed—

(1) The simplified acquisition threshold for other than commercial items, use any appropriate combination of the procedures in Parts 13, 14, 15, 35, or 36, including the use of Standard Form 1442, Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair), for construction contracts (see 36.701(a)); or

(2) $6.5 million ($12 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(e)), for commercial items, use any appropriate combination of the procedures in Parts 12, 13, 14, and 15 (see paragraph (d) of this section).

(h) In addition to other considerations, contracting officers shall—

(1) Promote competition to the maximum extent practicable (see 13.104);

(2) Establish deadlines for the submission of responses to solicitations that afford suppliers a reasonable opportunity to respond (see 5.203);

(3) Consider all quotations or offers that are timely received. For evaluation of quotations or offers received electronically, see 13.106-2(b)(3); and

(4) Use innovative approaches, to the maximum extent practicable, in awarding contracts using simplified acquisition procedures.

Reasoning Behind the Policy

The purpose of simplified acquisition is to:

• Reduce administrative costs;
• Improve opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns;
• Avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors, thereby improving efficiency in the US Government Contracting Process.

Procedures

Once quotations are received and evaluated and the award decision is made, the Government issues a purchase order. Common forms used for purchase orders under SAP are the DD Form 1155 and Optional Form 347 (both entitled Order for Supplies or Services) and the Standard Form 1149 (Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Items). Additionally, a Blanket Purchase Agreement(s) can and are commonly used under Simplified Acquistion Procedures. Individual purchases off of BPAs cannot exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold.