Cut out the red tape and your competition using GSA Schedules. According to FAR clause 8.405-6, orders placed under Federal Supply Schedules are exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6, Competition Requirements and may be direct awarded without competition in the following circumstances:
(A) An urgent and compelling need exists, and following the procedures would result in unacceptable delays;
(B) Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized; or
(C) In the interest of economy and efficiency, the new work is a logical follow-on to an original Federal Supply Schedule order provided that the original order was placed in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures. The original order or BPA must not have been previously issued under sole-source or limited-sources procedures.
Of special interest is the authority granted in paragraph 8.405-6(a)(1)(i)(C) above. If you have an existing order that is about to expire, your customer’s contracting officer is authorized to award a follow-on order in the interest of “economy and efficiency.”
If you have a GSA Schedule Order about to expire, discuss the option of awarding a follow-on contract with your customer and his/her contracting officer. In most cases you’ll need to educate your customer and CO about FAR clause 8.405-6 as most probably aren’t aware of the authority it gives them.
Not on GSA Schedule? Why not? GSA Schedules give vendors additional ways to succeed in the government marketplace. Give us a call today for more information.
Jack is CEO of Coley & Associates, Inc., Coley GCS, LLC, and founder of FedMap™– the government contractor accelerator. He is a results-driven executive, and successful entrepreneur who has a deep understanding of the super competitive government contracts marketplace. He has used his understanding, along with his more than 25 years of experience, to help small businesses win more than $20 Billion in new contracts. Jack has advised more than 1,000 small and large businesses, spoke at conferences, sat on expert panels, and been quoted in numerous articles. His experience spans a broad range of government agencies and functional areas. He is an Air Force Veteran, received his MBA with Honors from Webster University, and a Bachelor’s with distinction from Wayland Baptist University.