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Guest Vern Edwards

I found this at a GSA website: http://interact.gsa....chedules-far-84

It's "RFQ-Quote" Rather Than "RFP-Offer" When Talking About Orders Against Schedules (FAR 8.4)

FAR SubPart 8.4 gives us the only terminology appropriate for Schedule ordering.

The Request for Quotation (RFQ) is the document issued by the ordering activity to firms holding Schedule contracts. Schedule contractors respond to the RFQ with quotations. FAR 8.402(d) describes eBuy as GSA’s electronic RFQ system. FAR 8.405-2 defines the only ordering procedures for services requiring a statement of work. Those are specifically called “Request for Quotation procedures” in the title of FAR 8.405-2©. “The ordering activity shall provide the RFQ(including the statement of work and evaluation criteria) to at least three schedule contractors…” FAR 8.405-2©(2)(ii). Above the maximum order threshold or when establishing a BPA, ordering activities shall “provide the RFQ (including the statement of work and evaluation criteria) to additional schedule contractors that offer services that will meet the needs of the ordering activity.” FAR 8.405-2©(3)(i).

Calling the document used to request quotes from Schedule contractors an “RFQ” has absolutely nothing to do with an ordering activity’s ability to use the full range of best value evaluation, trading off price factors against non-price factors. (Notice in the preceding paragraph that whenever “RFQ” was used in the FAR’s Schedule RFQ procedures, “evaluation criteria” was also mentioned.) The FAR’s “RFQ procedures” say: “Place the order, or establish the BPA, with the schedule contractor that represents the best value (see 8.404(d)).” FAR 8.405-2(d). The ordering activity is to document “the evaluation methodology used” and the “rationale for any tradeoffs in making the selection.” FAR 8.405-2(e).

The only significant difference between “RFP” and “RFQ” is not in the evaluation method and types available, but in the differing points at which offer and acceptance occur. Both an “RFP” and an “RFQ” can trade off price against non-price factors.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) is a solicitation document used in negotiated procurements to communicate government requirements to prospective contractors and to solicit proposals (offers) from them.

A Request for Quotations (RFQ) is also used to communicate government requirements, but quotations submitted in response to it are not offers, and consequently may not be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. The Schedule order (and not the quote) is actually the offer. The contractor accepts the offer (the Schedule order) by either signing it or by doing something that shows acceptance (like ordering supplies or contacting subcontractors). As opposed to an RFP, an RFQ does not solicit binding offers. When the contractor accepts the order (actually or constructively), then acceptance has occurred. The Government Contracts Reference Book (3rd Ed., page 488) notes that the term “RFQ” is certainly not limited to FAR Part 13 simplified acquisitions: “An RFQ is also used when procuring services that require a statement of work from Federal Supply Schedule contractors. FAR 8.504-2( c).”

It is inappropriate and contrary to FAR SubPart 8.4 to call a Schedule order request for quotation an "RFP." The FAR never recognizes “RFP” as a suitable substitute for a Schedule order's “RFQ.” As the FAR (as well as the Government Contracts Reference Book and other sources) point out, “RFP” and “RFQ” are not interchangeable. They differ in when offer and acceptance occurs. When talking about Schedule orders, only "RFQ" is recognized by the FAR.

In addition. GSA’s 2010 Multiple Award Schedules Desk Reference uses the correct and FAR-based “RFQ” (not “RFP”) terminology. See the Desk Reference'sSection 8 (“Request for Quote (RFQ) and Statement of Work (SOW)”) of the Desk Reference for more information on the Schedule order RFQ process.

Of course, if you are talking about what GSA does at the Schedule contract level in awarding a Schedule or about what agencies do in their non-Schedule FAR Part 15 acquisitions, then it is certainly appropriate to use terms like “RFP, offer, proposal, and contract.”

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Note that DFARS subpart 208.4, which contains special rules for orders exceeding $150,000, contemplates the receipt of offers, not quotations, when soliciting FSS contractors. When the new DFARS rule titled "Only One Offer" (DFARS Case 2011-D013) was out for comment, I submitted a comment asking if the rule applied to quotations because, pursuant to FAR supbart 8.4, agencies solicit quotations when ordering under Federal Supply Schedules. I also pointed out the inconsistency between FAR subpart 8.4's use of "quotations" and DFARS 208.4's use of "offers" and suggested that DFARS subpart 208.4 be revised for consistency with the FAR. The response that I got, which I honestly don't understand after reading and re-reading several times, is shown below:

Comment: One respondent questioned whether this rule is applicable to the solicitation of quotations. The respondent noted that quotations are solicited routinely when using the procedures of FAR subpart 8.4.

Response: This rule is applicable to quotes as well as offers. Quotes should be treated the same as offers, for the purposes of this rule. The term ``offer'' used in the provision is comprehensive enough to apply to all competitive acquisitions subject to the final rule. Specifically, the term ``offer'' appropriately applies to acquisitions exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold conducted under FAR parts 8, 12, 14, 15, and 16. FAR defines ``offer'' to include responses to invitations for bids (sealed bidding) and responses to requests for proposals (negotiation), but to exclude responses to requests for quotations (RFQs). However, DFARS parts 208 and 216 already use the term ``offer'' in reference to orders awarded under those subparts. Finally, the final rule does not apply to acquisitions below the simplified acquisition threshold awarded based on quotations received. Therefore, the provisions in the final rule, because they use the term ``offer,'' can be used appropriately for competitions under FAR parts 8, 12, 14, 15, and 16 exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

I think this means the DAR Council believes that agencies solicit offers when using FSS procedures for orders over $150,000.

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Don,

No, I thnk it means the DAR Council doesn't have the disciplined understanding that the FAR 8.405-2 writers have, or that the writers of the GSA webpage Vern provided have. The DAR Council's undestanding seems undisciplined and sloppy.

I don't believe the DFARS sloppy use of offer changes anything. I still recommend always using RFQ, never RFP, when asking for responses from Schedule contractors.

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I believe the DAR Council response is a result of both ji20874 and Vern's thoughts. There is slim chance that in writing what they did the DAR Council did understand that a CO has wide latitude in seeking FSS/MAS pricing and that if a CO decided to be crazy enough to use a RFP or a IFB that the DFAR wording would cover these instances.

Referring to Vern's great find regarding GSA's position on a RFQ is why I had concerns with napolik's proposed paragraph for the RFQ that was offered in a previous post. I was concerned that the wording was slipping towards walking and talking like FAR Part 15. Keeping in mind that GSA's self proclaimed definition of "best value" as it applies to FSS/MAS is the definition found in FAR Part 2 (Ref. FAR 8.404(d)) and that it is clearly stated that FAR Part 15 does not apply in many references (FAR 8.4, desk guide, the blog, etc. ) it is my view that the terminology and requirements of FAR Part 15 regarding "best value" do not apply. I would agree that GSA does confuse the matter slightly in their MAS Desk Reference by talking about LPTA and trade off but in the end I still believe there is wide latitude for a CO to set their own evaluation method which includes not needing to state the relative importance of the non-price factors as compared to price. This is a rule of FAR Part 15 and not the FSS/MAS ordering instructions, at least by my read.

So using napolik's proposed paragraph I played with it a little and came up with this.....

"Evaluation for this Request for Quote will be based on the résumés, experience, past performance, and the price of quotes and will be evaluated on a comparative basis in accordance with FAR Subpart 8.4 and FSS/MAS instructions. After quote assessment, the contracting officer may award a contract to the contractor he or she determines to represent the best value, or may obtain additional information from and negotiate with that contractor to improve the terms of the deal reflected in its quote. If the contracting officer is unable to negotiate a favorable deal with the contractor, the CO reserves the right to negotiate and reach agreement with another firm submitting a quote that was not assessed initially to be the best value. This process will continue until an order has been reached or until all those firms submitting a quote have been considered. If agreement on a deal cannot be reached with any of the firms, further contractors holding the specific Federal Supply Schedule will be included in the Request for Quote process or at the election of the CO a solicitation will be issued outside the Federal Supply Schedule program (full and open competition or full and open competition after exclusion of sources)."

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Just to clarify, that post on Interact is just a forum post and not an offical GSA position. Anyone can post there witn their opinion - that's all. Neverless it is a valid statement that I don't see how anyone could disagree with.

GSA throughout thier training materials and desk guide uses the terms RFQ and RFP interchangably.

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According to FAR 8.405-2( c ):

Request for Quotation procedures. The ordering activity must provide the Request for Quotation (RFQ), which includes the statement of work and evaluation criteria (e.g., experience and past performance), to schedule contractors that offer services that will meet the agency’s needs. The RFQ may be posted to GSA’s electronic RFQ system, e-Buy (see 8.402(d)).

According to FAR 8.405-2( b ):

Statements of Work (SOWs). All Statements of Work shall include a description of work to be performed; location of work; period of performance; deliverable schedule; applicable performance standards; and any special requirements (e.g., security clearances, travel, special knowledge). To the maximum extent practicable, agency requirements shall be performance-based statements (see Subpart 37.6).

The FAR doesn't define the term "statement of work", so I don't know if it includes a SOO. My understanding is that a SOO is not a statement of work, but I can't prove it using the FAR. As such, I think if your SOO includes the information required by FAR 8.405-2( b ), then you can use a SOO.

That's a technical reading of the FAR. If you ask GSA, they would probably say sure, go ahead, no problem.

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Guest Vern Edwards

Is any of this of any importance? Does it make a difference? Does it matter?

We're talking about GSA FSS -- TIGWAR, The Incredible Game Without Any Rules.

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  • 3 weeks later...

This COFC decision really contrasts with some of the GAO decisions. GAO is quick to apply FAR 15 rules to GSA FAR 8.4 procedues when there's even a hint the ordering agency used parts of FAR 15.

Here the COFC made several important statements in their decision that runs counter to GAO:

"This court consistently has held that procurements conducted under Subpart 8.4 are different from those conducted under Part 15, even if some procedures also presnet in Part 15 are utilized."

"Therefore, that DOL (the ordering agency) conducted discussions did not mean it had to comply with the strict procedures of FAR Part 15"

"This Court has held that FSS acquisitions are not transformed into negotiated procurements simply because an agency chooses to utilize in its evaluation process more formal elements typically used in a negotiated procurement..."

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  • 1 year later...

If I were going out for a round with the vendors, I would not use LPTA.

If one is using LPTA, I presume that price is the prime consideration after technical compliance. Why box oneself in by not providing for the possibility of some type of negotiations with one or more of the FSS respondents? It would appear that kointhemaking would be acting prudently and he would probably expect a price reduction from the schedule prices. If he doesn't initially reach meet his price objective or has a question concerning technical acceptability of one or more firm's product/service then it may be wise for him to bargain with or otherwise discuss with some firm ir firms whatever is pertinent.

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If I go with an LPTA approach under FAR 8.4 and I need to go out for a round with the vendors, what is the best approach to do that?

Hey, kointhemaking. Check out InNeedofWisdoms's "dream" on his profile page. "I have a dream of buyers that just love negotiating...savings that grow in size..." If you want to be a buyer then I hope that you also like to negotiate. That's what buyers that I've known who work outside of the federal government do. Why not you, too - right? Good luck.

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