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Ordering under the Federal Supply Schedule
Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services
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Contract Type Matrix

Federal Supply Schedule — Blanket Purchase Agreements
FAR 8.401 / GSAM Subpart 538.71

A Federal Supply Schedule Blanket Purchase Agreement, or Schedule BPA, may be established to simplify recurring needs for commercial products or commercial services available under Federal Supply Schedule contracts. A Schedule BPA is not a contract by itself; it is an ordering arrangement under one or more Schedule contracts.

Under RFO FAR 8.401, the Federal Supply Schedule program is directed and managed by GSA, and agencies follow GSA ordering procedures at GSAM Subpart 538.71 when establishing and using Schedule BPAs. Agencies should ensure the supplies or services are within the scope of the applicable Schedule contract, that the BPA complies with GSA ordering procedures, and that orders placed under the BPA comply with the BPA’s terms and applicable ordering requirements.

Schedule BPAs may be established with a single Schedule contractor or with multiple Schedule contractors for the same supplies or services. Multiple-award BPAs are generally preferred because they preserve competition, reduce reliance on a single vendor, and may improve pricing and performance outcomes.

 

Common Applications

  • Commercial products and commercial services
  • Information technology products and services
  • Health IT services and solutions
  • Cyber services and solutions
  • Cloud services and solutions
  • Software licenses
  • Telecommunications and wireless services

 

Restrictions

  • Cost-reimbursement contract types may not be used to acquire commercial products or commercial services.
  • Time-and-materials or labor-hour arrangements require the applicable determination and findings when required.
  • Agencies must follow GSA ordering procedures at GSAM Subpart 538.71 for Schedule BPAs.
  • The BPA and resulting orders must remain within the scope, terms, and ordering limitations of the applicable Schedule contract.
  • When required, agencies must make the applicable best procurement approach determination before using an interagency acquisition vehicle.

 

Pros

Cons
Multiple-award BPAs can preserve competition and reduce cost, schedule, and performance risk. Fixed-price or time-and-materials/labor-hour arrangements may not fit every complex requirement.
Allows agencies to plan for anticipated purchases without obligating funds until orders are placed. Schedule offerings are limited to commercial products and commercial services.
Agencies may seek additional discounts based on anticipated volume or recurring needs. Commercial terms, licenses, technical data, and software rights may require careful review.
Access to pre-vetted Schedule contractors can reduce performance risk. The agency must still ensure BPA establishment and ordering comply with GSA procedures and represent best value.
FSS BPAs can support socioeconomic goals through Schedule contractors and ordering strategies. BPAs are not contracts and do not guarantee future orders unless and until funded orders are placed.

 

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