Contracting Cone

FAR Based Strategies

Federal Supply Schedules – FAR 8.4
Commercial Items – FAR 12
Simplified Acquisitions – FAR 13
Contracting by Negotiation – FAR 15
IDIQ – FAR 16.5
Letter Contract – FAR 16.603
Agreements – FAR 16.7
Small Business – FAR 19
BAA – FAR 35.016
SBIR/STTR
Defense CSO Pilot Program

Non-FAR Based Strategies

Other Transactions (OT)
Procurement for Experimental
R&D Agreements

Contract Type Matrix

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 is issued for the performance of tasks/services. A Delivery Order 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

References