Contracting Officer Podcast Slides Knowledge & Insights From Contracting Officers

What are Simplified Acquisition Procedures? Episode 051 What are Simplified Acquisition Procedures? Original Air Date: November 2, 2015 Hosts: Kevin Jans & Paul Schauer

Formatting notes Hyperlinks: Blue font indicates hyperlinks – presentation must be in ‘Slide Show’ mode to activate the link Red bold font indicates a point of emphasis Green bold font indicates CO’s personal comment or perspective

Introduction What is FAR Part 13.5 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures? A special way to use Simplified Acquisition Procedures Saves both government AND industry time and money Can be a better way to get more done, faster and cheaper.

What are the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) – FAR Part 13? The “SAP” threshold is $150,000 FAR 13.003 – Policy Agencies shall use SAP as much as “practicable” For small businesses only SAP still promotes competition (FAR 13.104) To the extent “practicable” and “consider at least 3 sources”

SAP for Certain Commercial Items FAR Part 13.5 – Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items authorizes SAP to buy up to $6.5M (it’s actually $7M but the FAR hasn’t caught up yet) if CO expects that offers will include only commercial items Goal is to allow use of SAP procedures to buy commercial items It even mentions “flexibility” “maximizing efficiency and economy” “minimizing burden and administrative costs for both the Government and industry” Most operational contracting offices (non-systems offices) use this

SAP for Commercial Items FAR 13.501(a) can even be used for sole source procurements SAP acquisitions are exempt from the requirements in FAR Part 6 But it still needs to be justified, in writing by the CO, and approved The approvals get higher as price increases

SAP for Commercial Items How does FAR 13.5 streamline the procurement? The only documentation required is FOUR items: (FAR 13.501(b)) Brief written description of procedures used in awarding the contract, including the fact that the procedures in FAR Subpart 13.5 were used Number of offers received A tailored explanation of basis for contract award decision Any justification approved under paragraph (a) of this section. Was a “test program” for over a decade As of FY15, it’s permanent

When does FAR Part 13.5 (SAP) happen? Acquisition Time Zones (from Podcast Episode 003) Requirements Zone Market Research Zone … skips much of the RFP Zone … skips much of the Source Selection Zone NOTE: Only available for COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Why are Simplified Acquisition Procedures important? It's permanent - Use it! It can be faster and cheaper for both sides Very helpful when buying commercial goods and services The government buys a LOT of consumable items We see these in a LOT of client RFPs

Why Should Government Care? It’s an agile contracting strategy already in the FAR It’s permanent now so it really is worth investing the time to understand and use If you buy a lot of commercial goods and services This should be your first stop There are commercial, you should consider it.

Why Should Industry Care? Are you a small business? You should know about this. Does your target customer use FAR 13.5? It has some key differences For example, a debriefing is NOT required (those apply to FAR 15) SAP tilts the 80/20 Rule a bit Not as much process Industry: Don’t get caught flat-footed

Summary FAR 13.5 is now permanent, so let’s get to know it…and use it Is what you buy OR sell Commercial? Results in less than $7M contracts? If yes, then this is worth knowing. Let’s get more done!

Contact us We are on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook We also started the Government Contracting Network Group on Facebook. Join us there! Send your topics to paul@Contractingofficerpodcast.com For Community support, contact Shelley Hall at shelley.hall@skywayacquisition.com