Market Research

Overview What is Market Research (MR) Policy When, Why, & Who How Market Research Plays Into Other Parts of the Acquisition (Building Blocks)

What is Market Research? Market Research means collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the market to satisfy agency needs Ref: FAR – Definitions

Policy FAR Conduct MR appropriate to circumstance before: Developing requirement documents Soliciting offers for acquisitions over SAT – below SAT if inadequate information and cost can be justified Soliciting offers that could lead to a bundled contract Awarding task or delivery order under ID/IQs for noncommercial item in excess of SAT Use commercial MR methods to identify small business and new entrants into market

Policy cont. Commercial Items are preferred – To extent possible, government shall meet its requirements through commercial items Non-developmental Items – When commercial items are not suitable, consider non-developmental items Maximize use of commercial components/subcomponents Consult with your Small Business Specialist NLT 30 days prior to release of solicitation

When, Why, & Who When Depends on the requirement Best to conduct during conceptual phase of acquisition ALWAYS prior to release of solicitation Why Allows for understanding position in the market Who Everyone in Acquisition Team is involved (Technical staff, PM, PCO, Customer, user, small business)

How Market Research Plays Into Other Parts of the Acquisition (Building Blocks)

Market Research Acquisition Planning Competition Requirements Publicizing Contract Actions Small Business & Other Socioeconomic Concerns Required Sources Contractor Qualifications Acquisition of Commercial Items Labor Laws Environmental concerns

Simplified Acquisition Procedure Sealed Bidding/Negotiated Contract Contract Types/Special Contracting Methods Cost Accounting Standards & Cost Principles Special Categories of Contracting

Part 5 – Publicizing Contract Actions MR lets you know what commodities/services are out there and if it is possible to purchase as COT Allows for exchanges with Industry (details in FAR ) Increasing competition to include small business concerns Identifies how contracting action will be solicited

Part 6 – Competition Requirements FAR MR identifies if competition exists – or if J&A will need to be accomplished as required Allows for identification of Set-Asides (8A, Small Business, SDB, Women Owned, HUBZone, etc.) Identification of if action can be sealed bid (FAR 14) or negotiated contract (FAR 15)

Part 7 – Acquisition Planning MR acts as the foundation to acquisition plan for the action Because it: Identifies the Requirement If the commodity/service is commercial If there is a reasonable expectation for competition If there are any set aside concerns (ex. SBA, SDB, 8A, HUBZONE, etc.)

Part 8 – Required Sources of Supplies and Services MR will identify for Supplies: Inventories of the requiring agency Excess from other agencies Federal Prison Industries Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled (NIB/NISH) if there are any wholesale supply services(i.e. GSA, DLA, VA) where the commodity/service is available Services Committee for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled (NIB/NISH)

Part 9 – Contractor Qualifications Contractor Responsibility – General Standards (FAR 9.104): Adequate financial resources Comply with delivery/performance schedule Satisfactory performance record Able to meet or obtain task/item If the contractor/sub is able to meet qualifications to be considered for a government contract Is on the QML or QBL, otherwise where to go to get “certified” If the contractor/sub is registered in SAM If they are on the Excluded Parties Listing

Part 12- Acquisition of Commercial Items Commercial items are preferred to extent possible, government shall meet its requirements through commercial items Exposure to commercial best practices in distribution, maintenance, and logistic support Warranties Buyer financing options Service technical support Maintenance service agreements Delivery Packaging and Marking

Part 13 – Simplified Acquisition Procedures If the acquisition of supplies and services, including construction, research and development, and commercial items, the aggregate amount of which does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold or for commercial items not to exceed $6.5M if these procedures are to be followed FAR defines SAT as $150K except for support of contingency operation or to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological attack then it’s $300K for US performed/made & $1M for outside US performed/made

Part 14 – Sealed Bidding Part 15 – Contracting by Negotiation MR will determine if Sealed Bidding or Contracting by negotiation is the best method

Part 16 – Contract Types Part 17 – Special Contracting Methods MR will determine if the contract should be: Firm-Fixed Price Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment Fixed Price Incentive Fixed Price w/ Prospective Price Redetermination Fixed-Ceiling Price w/ Retroactive Price Redetermination Firm-Fixed Price, Level of Effort Term Cost-Sharing Cost Plus Incentive Cost Plus Award Fee Cost Plus Fixed Fee IDIQ Time and Materials Labor Hour Letter Contract Multi-Year Options Interagency Acquisitions Leader Company Management & Operating Interagency (NonDoD)

Part 19 – Small Business Programs Part 26 – Other Socioeconomic Programs MR will tell you if the following apply: Small Disadvantaged Business Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions Small Business Emerging Small Business HubZone Service - Disabled Veteran Owned Woman Owned Indian Incentive Disaster or Emegency Assistance Food Donations to Nonprofit

Part 22 – Application of Labor laws to Government Acquitions MR will identify basic labor policies (to include Federal & State requirements, overtime, etc.) Davis-Bacon Act Walsh-Healey Act Service Contract Act 1965 Equal Opportunity

Part 23 – Environment, Energy & Water Efficiency, Renewable Energy Technologies, Occupational safety & Drug Free Workplace MR also identifies sustainable acquisition policy Energy & Water Efficiency& Renewable Energy Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Use of Recovered Materials Ozone-depleting Substances Right to know laws & Pollution Prevention Drug-Free Workplace Encouragement of Ban Texting while Driving

Part 30 – Cost Accounting Standards Administration MR will identify if CAS will apply or if the contract will be exempt (sealed bid or small business concerns)

Subchapter F – Special Categories of Contracting MR will assist with identifying if action will be: Major System Acquisition R&D Construction & Architect –Engineer Contracts Service Contracting Federal Supply Schedule Contracting Acquisition of Information Technology Acquisition of Utility Service

Questions?