Simplified Acquisition Paper

The United States government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world. Even during times of economic hardship, the US continues to dump billions into the private sector. The federal procurement spending rate of growth has surpassed the rate of U.S. inflation every year, since 2000. With annual federal procurement budgets of more than $400 billion, it is no surprise that the competition for government contracts has increased tremendously. Consequently, more and more companies are trying to get a piece of the action. When these companies adhere to all of the required regulations and statutes, they expect their proposals to be evaluated and the contract awarded in

This paper will explore how Sealed Bidding and Competitive proposals compare against each other. In order to compare them one must understand how, when and why each topic is used. The primary source of federal procurement information and guidance is the Federal Acquisition Regulation, which consists of Parts 1-53 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). FAR parts 14 and 15 explains in full detail Sealed Bidding and Competitive Proposals. This paper like the federal government will rely heavily on the FAR as a source document to help explain the details of this topic.

This fact is stated plainly and directly even in the FAR itself, where it is written, “Agencies are encouraged to promote early exchange of information about future acquisitions.” Exchanges are beneficial to all parties involved in the acquisition process, and there are a number of reasons why such exchanges are beneficial. As the regulations explain at FAR 15.201(b), some of these benefits include an improved understanding of the Government’s requirements for the potential suppliers, and also an improved understanding of a potential supplier’s capabilities by the Government. Additionally, exchanges between Government and potential suppliers can help the Government firm up or finalize their acquisition plan and source selection strategy for a particular procurement by enabling them to determine things such as, “proposed contract type, terms and conditions, and acquisition planning schedules,” as well as, “the feasibility of the requirement, including performance requirements, statements of work, and data requirements.”

According to Morgan, bureaucracies may achieve efficiency by dividing tasks and developing “detailed rules and regulations” (Morgan, 17) for all employees. The procurement process begins with the desire to purchase a good or service for example, a pencil. In order to purchase this supply at the LACCD one employee must create a purchase order (PO) in SAP by logging into their account that is linked to a budget. The PO must have the vendors contact information, details about the product including price, quantity, model number, and taxes. It must also be approved from the department chair or dean, the departments Vice President, and college’s Vice President of Administrative Services. If the purchase price of the good is over $5,000 the college performs an additional step and gets the approval of the board of

This paper includes a description of the procurement planning process. The most valuable output of the plan procurement process will be identified. Furthermore, the various contract types will be explained. A source criterion that would be applicable to any project will be described and three criteria that would apply to most projects will be identified. An analysis of the ethical

According to Wheelen and Hunger an acquisition is a growth strategy that occurs when a company absorbs another (usually smaller) company as an operating subsidiary or division of the acquiring corporation. Acquisitions usually take place with companies of different sizes and they can be hostile or friendly. Acquisitions can also be a good way to grow

This paper will elaborate the Department of Defense subcontracting plan programs, Acts, and policies that are in effect. Furthermore, will detail the type of subcontracting plans, when they apply, procedures, and routing given by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Following will explain how subcontracting plans are utilized in source selections, the economic impacts subcontracting has on small businesses, and how subcontracting plans are managed.

Procurement is the process of selecting suppliers and signing contracts for the purchase of goods and services. While simple in definition, quite the opposite is true when it comes to execution. When speaking about public and private sectors, they are two entirely different entities. They have different work principles, different functions and responsibilities in the economy, and different limitations to do work. In the case of government acquisition, the leading and primary objective is for public good, not profit. For a private venture, it is profit for the shareholders. A private company has to have profit as the first priority when awarding procurement contracts. Due to this obvious dichotomy, contractors generally either service

You are correct that the 5 activities involved in the acquisition and payment cycle are requisition, purchase of goods and services, receipt of, and account for, approval of items for payment and cash distribution.

Procurement by public entities is guided by primary law principles of transparency, equal treatment and non-discrimination, procurement laws sets up an extensive legal framework regarding the procurement of work, supply and service contracts. There are two main reasons for the use of specific procedures i.e. why contracting authorities do not just negotiate or simply buy from the closest supplier. First, it provides for more public accountability and therefore less cases of corruption practices. Additionally, tendering procedures aim to ensure the best value for money by making it necessary for suppliers to act highly competitive. As a result, market mechanisms will help in facilitating the best possible practices. In situations where market mechanisms are not effective, tender procedures might lose their effectiveness as well. If for example there is lack of competition due to certain complexities or as a result of lower bidder interest, negotiations with just one or two suppliers may be the most efficient manner to handle the process. Therefore, we discuss the inherent advantages and disadvantages of sealed bidding and contracting by negotiation as procedural frameworks for tendering.

Tracked, validated and recommended payment of invoices paid through a third party institution verifying cost and fee distribution status and funding availability for German funds disbursement. Meticulously researched and resolved long standing closeout issues on two overage firm fixed price contracts leading to final closeout. Provided extensive cost and pricing analysis on $25M Foreign Military Sales modification. The evaluation included profit and fee determination and review/incorporation of Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) pricing report, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) audit and technical report on direct material and labor costs, as well as, application of indirect rates. Assisted the Administrative Contracting Officer in development of the government’s position, drafted pre-negotiation memorandum for headquarters approval and provided negotiation support. Assisted in Major Program Support management review process and identified areas for improvement. Evaluated Earned Value Reports for contract compliance resulting in timely submittal of corrections. Submitted three process

Strict adherence to formal procedures characterizes sealed bidding which attempts to provide a “level playing field” or as a multitude of references point out equal footing to all bidders who compete for a contract. Competitive negotiation is a more flexible process that enables the agency to conduct discussions, evaluate offers, and award the contract using price and other factors. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), whose origins can be traced back to the ASPA of 1947 was codified at Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations and became effective 1 April 1984. The FAR contains the uniform policies and procedures for acquisitions by all federal agencies to date. It addresses nearly every procurement related statute or executive policy; and subsequently encompasses every stage of the acquisition process. In a nutshell, FAR appears to have modernized and thus enveloped the aforementioned three acts.

This essay will examine how to best prepare a contract administration plan. The contract administration plan will examine different methods used in preparing a plan. This essay will explain how important it is to have technical and other support of personnel, the importance of surveillance, and to determine what functions need to be delegated, identify qualified personnel as well as authorized, it is necessary for the Contracting officer to be represented in administering contract requirements. Also there will be a discussion on what is determined

Contracting officers may bind the Government only to the extent of the authority delegated to them. Contracting officers shall receive from the appointing authority clear instructions in writing regarding the limits of their authority. Information on the limits of the contracting officers’ authority shall be readily available to the public and agency personnel.” It even further explains that there is no contract shall be entered into unless the contracting officer ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including clearances and approvals, have been met. In selecting a contracting officer, the appointing official considers the dollar value of the acquisition, the complexity and the potential contracting officer’s experience, education, business acumen, character and reputation. A contracting officer is appointed in writing and states any limitations on the scope of the authority that is to be given to them. The FAR specifies that a contracting officer’s responsibility to ensure that no contract is entered into unless it meets all requirements of law, regulations and other procedures, that sufficient funds are available and that contractors receive impartial, fair and equitable treatment. Unlike the commercial sector, the FAR mandates that certain requirements be met prior to being appointed to a contracting officer. It requires that the candidate complete all mandatory contracting courses required for

Simplified acquisition describes the methods used for making purchases of supplies, purchase orders, blanket purchase agreements or Government-wide commercial purchase cards. It covers the use of simplified acquisition procedures, including micro-purchase procedures.