Contracting Cone

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FAR Based Strategies

Federal Supply Schedules
Commercial Items
Simplified Acquisitions
Contracting by Negotiation
IDIQ
Letter Contracts
Agreements
Small Business
Broad Agency Announcement
Commercial Solutions Opening

Statutory Strategies

SBIR/STTR
Other Transactions
Procurement for Experiments
R&D Agreements
Cooperative R&D Agreement
Partnership Intermediary Agreement
Technology Investment Agreement

Contract Type Matrix

Federal Suppy Schedules – Task Order/Delivery Order

 

Each schedule contains the information needed by agencies to place delivery orders or task orders directly with the schedule contractors. A Task Order (TO) is issued for the performance of tasks/services. A Delivery Order (DO) is issued for the delivery of products/supplies.

 

Common Applications

  • Commercial products and services
  • Information Technology (IT) product and services
  • Health IT services and solutions
  • Cyber services and solutions
  • Cloud services and solutions
  • Software licenses
  • Telecommunications and wireless services

 

Restrictions

  • Cannot use cost-type contracts
  • Requires best approach determination and finding for actions that meet threshold

 

Pros

Cons
GSA streamlined procedures reduces administrative burden and procurement lead time Limitation of firm-fixed-price (FFP) or time and materials (T&M) pricing arrangements may not be appropriate or suitable for complex requirements
Ability to negotiate further price discounts from established schedule rates increases cost avoidance GSA Schedule offering of only commercial services and products reduces flexibility in acquiring capabilities
Pre-negotiated prices determined fair and reasonable reduces procurement lead time Standard schedule commercial rights and licenses increases burden on government to ensure specialized rights are explicit
Ability to customize terms and conditions increases flexibility to procure supplies and services
Access to pre-vetted, qualified contractors reduces performance risk in execution
GSA streamlined procedures provides opportunity to quickly meet socioeconomic goals

 

Resources