The FAR Council issued changes to the FAR effective August 30 that primarily seek a middle ground between generating more competition in awarding task and delivery orders under multiple agency contracts without eliminating the efficiencies from such contract vehicles. The major changes include:
FSS. The final rule makes clear that FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) and Part 19 (Socioeconomic Programs) do not apply to orders placed against the General Service Administration’s Federal Supply Schedule. Because orders under Multiple Award Schedules are considered issued under full and open competition, ordering offices need not seek further competition, synopsize the requirements, make a separate determination of fair and reasonable pricing or consider small business programs.
Orders. Individual orders must clearly describe all services to be performed or supplies to be delivered so that full cost or price for the performance can be established when the order is placed. Orders placed must be within the scope, issued within the period of performance and within the maximum value of the contract. When acquiring IT or related services, COs must consider using modular contracting methods.
Fair opportunity. The CO must give each awardee a fair opportunity to be considered for a delivery order or task order exceeding $2,500. The exemption to this is a sole source award issued in the interest of economy and efficiency because it is a follow-on to an order already issued, provided all awardees were given the fair opportunity to be considered for the original order.
In addition, the FAC-09 (1) increases the amount of the micro-purchase threshold from $2,500 to $15,000 for procurements of supplies or services where the procurements are to facilitate defense against terrorism or biological or chemical attack and (2) adds to subcontracting plans that large business must prepare goals for veteran-owned small businesses and a three percent government-wide goal for service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses (Fed. Reg. August 30, 2002).
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