Acquisition of Services
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Seven-step Process
Planning Phase
Step 1: Form the Team
Step 2: Current Strategy
Step 3: Market Research
Development Phase
Step 4: Reqts Definition
Step 5: Acquisition Strategy
Execution Phase
Step 6: Execute Strategy
Step 7: Performance Mgmt
Acquisition Strategy
How to use this site
Each page in this pathway presents a wealth of curated knowledge from acquisition policies, guides, templates, training, reports, websites, case studies, and other resources. It also provides a framework for functional experts and practitioners across DoD to contribute to the collective knowledge base. This site aggregates official DoD policies, guides, references, and more.
DoD and Service policy is indicated by a BLUE vertical line.
Directly quoted material is preceeded with a link to the Reference Source.
Reference Source: DoDI 5000.74 Defense Acquisition of Services
The services acquisition strategy describes the plan to achieve the goals set in the services acquisition. The services acquisition strategy document is called an Acquisition Plan when the total cost of contracts for the acquisition program is estimated to be equal to or greater than the threshold described in Subpart 207.103(d)(i)(B) of the DFARS. The services acquisition strategy contains sufficient detail to allow senior leadership and the S-CAT decision authority to assess whether the strategy makes good business sense, effectively implements laws and policies, and reflects management’s priorities, including affordability.
Reference Source: DAG Chapter 10, 3.2.2
The following tenets are considered when the acquisition strategy is being reviewed in accordance with PGI 237.102-76, Review criteria for the acquisition of services:
Tenet 1 – Acquisition Strategy (Approach):
- Reflects requirement objectives
- Explains the services acquisition should-cost
- Leverages spend data to arrive at strategic sourcing solutions for the enterprise being supported
- Incorporates strategic contracting tools
- Is developed prior to issuance of a solicitation (amended as applicable)
- Is adhered to throughout the performance.
Tenet 3 – Period of Performance:
- Contract performance periods of an appropriate length should be set in order to:
- Be consistent with technological dependence
- Employ industry standards
- Allow sufficient time to reclaim requirement ownership (in cases with an acquisition history of a single provider) such that fair competition can occur
Tenet 4 – Appropriate Contract Type:
- Employ CLIN and pricing structures that are appropriate for the acquisition situation.
Tenet 5 – Small Business (SB) and Socio-Economic Considerations:
- Small Business Concerns are a viable and valuable resource within the U.S. economy’s industrial base
- Provide the maximum practicable opportunities in DoD’s acquisitions to SBs and the following SB Socio-Economic Categories, encouraging opportunities to increase competition, requirement awareness, and contract awards:
- Small Business
- Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
- 8(a) Program
- Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business (HUBZone)
- Veteran-owned Small Business (VOSB)
- Service-disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Women-owned Small Business (WOSB)
- Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
Tenet 6 – Participation Decision Points:
- Create decision points (on and off ramps) for those service acquisitions with longer periods of performance and multiple award contracts to ensure the Government has a qualified pool of contractors who can provide continuous service throughout the life of the contract.
Tenet 7 – Competition:
- Requirements should be articulated in order to receive maximum competition throughout the life of the contract with meaningful competition orders
- Evaluation factors are tied to key requirements
Tenet 8 – Objective Incentives:
- Objective criteria will be used, whenever possible, to measure contract performance
- Where objective criteria exist, the most appropriate contract type would be a multiple incentive type contract containing both incentive and award fee criteria
In accordance with DoDI 5000.74 Enclosure 5, paragraph 4(b) (DoDI 5000.74, Enc. 5, sec. 4), the SRRB approval will be documented in the acquisition plan utilizing agency procedures for documenting the requirement approval within the acquisition plan. Acquisition Strategies are sent to DPAP for review and approval for requirements with a total value of $1 billion or more if OUSD(AT&L) is the Decision Authority.
Templates
Reference Source: Service Acquisition Mall, Step 5 Acquisition Strategy
Resources and Templates may be found on DAU’s SAM website:
- Navy Acquisition Strategy Content
- Army Acquisition Strategy Content
- Air Force Early Strategy and Issues Session (ESIS)