LearningCurve1018

Ha! Good to know about the history of GSA adopting the term. Had not heard that before. After first glance this is wonderful guidance that i had not stumbled upon thanks for the assistance.

New to BPA's and trying to figure out difference in procedures of FAR 13 vs FAR 8. On on first glance FAR 8.405-3 Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) as extensive direction for CO's associated with establishing a BPA, the annual review, and general policy guidelines etc. FAR 13 also has pretty clear direction. But I am having trouble determining what factors a CO considers in determining when a new BPA arrangement would be necessary and if there is a difference in a FAR 13 BPA vs FAR 8 BPA. Any guidance is appreciated.

Have a construction project that has been subject to multiple protest prior the RFP closing. Contracting has been working closely with council to address these protests, but its been unclear when each would be resolved. As a result, contracting has had to issued multiple amendments and pushed the RFP closing date out repeatedly. Contractors and subs are understandably frustrated with this. My question deals with sharing information with contractors and subs. Is there anything wrong with sharing information, when asked, about the reason behind the multiple amendments being issued. Trying to be fair to all here, but would be nice to be transparent with industry and let them know what contracting is dealing with and the reason behind the multiple extensions. Thanks.

Right in front of my nose. Thanks ji20874.

Hey, I am of the opinion the contracting community should rise up in angry revolt and bring back farsite.hil.af.mil. Really don't like the aqusition.gov website. Is there a way to download the whole far in a PDF so I can "ctrl 'F" search? Just a pipe dream.

I was thinking that the AE firm made a mistake not properly addressing one of the criteria.. Yes, I posted the request for SF330s via a FBO notice, confusion of terms. I will engage with the AE firm. I didn't even know I had 15.3 baggage but it seems like I do.

Correct this is a AE Contract. Currently in the evaluation of phase I (SF330s). 36.601-3 (C) When the contract statement of work includes both architect-engineer services and other services, the contracting officer shall follow the procedures in this subpart if the statement of work, substantially or to a dominant extent, specifies performance or approval by a registered or licensed architect or engineer. If the statement of work does not specify such performance or approval, the contracting officer shall follow the procedures in Parts 13, 14, or 15. So yes I'm definitely using Far 36.6, but what I don't see is detailed information, like what is included in 15.3 about communications, clarifications, and discussions. I don't see anything that says I cannot ask this question about additional offices, which if this were in FAR 15, would be a "communication". There does not seem to be a 36.6 equivalent for this type of communication. appreciate everyone's the input.

Can I communicate with an offeror after the receipt of phase I proposals (sf330s) for a design solicitation, to ask if they have any additional satellite offices or subcontractors’ offices to meet eval criteria? What are the limits of my communication with the offeror? The solicitation criteria states offerors must be within a 300 mile radius of the location. Right now, I believe it would be a "communication" with an offeror to address a deficiency in the proposal. Right now they are eliminated, this clarification could only include them in the down select.

FAR 36.104 seems to state that design-build will be the default when design-bid-build is not used or appropriate. Thank you for the historical context of use of design-build and the development of 36.3, interesting stuff.

Far 36.301(b)(3) - Use of Two-Phase Design Build Selection Procedures lists the following criteria to be considered by CO's in order to use design build selection procedures in construction projects. 3) The following criteria have been considered: (i) The extent to which the project requirements have been adequately defined. (ii) The time constraints for delivery of the project. (iii) The capability and experience of potential contractors (iv) The suitability of the project for use of the two-phase selection method. (v) The capability of the agency to manage the two-phase selection process. (vi) Other criteria established by the head of the contracting activity. Most of the points seem pretty straight forward. My question deals with (iv) because it seems so vague, possibly by design no pun intended. For those of you with experience, what factors would contribute to the suitability of a construction project to use "design-build" as opposed to "design-bid-build" or another way I'm not thinking of?

Planning on using FAR 15 and 12

They would contain that clause(below). Aha! ____________ (d)Agreement. A service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern agrees that in the performance of the contract, in the case of a contract for - (1) Services (except construction), at least 50 percent of the cost of personnel for contract performance will be spent for employees of the concern or employees of other service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns; _____________ These businesses would not be doing much of the work and would essentially be pressing a button to grant access from the large business concern. That contract FAR clause seems very similar to another CFR clause I believe might apply as well. _______________ 13 CFR 125.6 § 125.6 What are the prime contractor's limitations on subcontracting? (a)General. In order to be awarded a full or partial small business set-aside contract with a value greater than $150,000, an 8(a) contract, an SDVO SBC contract, a HUBZone contract, a WOSB or EDWOSB contract pursuant to part 127 of this chapter, a small business concern must agree that: (1) In the case of a contract for services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. _______________ Thank you for the guidance.

Yes, Set asides for procurements are over the SAT. This question is in regards to electronic subscriptions that belong to large publishers and sold through resellers that are SDVOSB, VOSB, smalls.

This issue is in regards to online subscriptions services to the VA. Does a small, or VOSB, or SDVOSB vendor need to perform 51% of the work for an award to be considered an official small, VOSB, or SDVOSB award, and count towards the VA’s national quota/goal of awarding a certain percentage to smalls, VOSBs or SDVOSBs? I'm asking because we’re seeing a lot of big publishers passing-through SDVOSBs assumedly because the big publisher thinks this will force the Government’s hand to do a SDVOSB set-aside (rule of two) or give preference to them (the SDVOSB) because of their status.

Yeah I see you're right. I sent the funding document back to the COR to request additional funds for travel be put on the 2237. Thank you for your help.