2112LLP Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 Hi, An agency is interested in evaluating a COTS software package from a vendor for a defined period of time, for no cost ($0). The vendor will supply an evaluation software license agreement covering the use of the software during the evaluation period. Is this considered an acquistion and does it fall under the guidance of the FAR? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ji20874 Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 "Executive branch employees may not use their Government positions to suggest that the agency or any part of the executive branch endorses an organization (including a nonprofit organization), product, service, or person." http://www.oge.gov/Topics/Use-of-Government-Position-and-Resources/Endorsing-Organizations,-Products,-or-Persons/ You might also be interested in the GAO's white paper on no-cost contracts: http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/appforum2008/nocostcontracts.pdf You might also be interested in an earlier WIFCON discussion: http://www.wifcon.com/discussion/index.php?/topic/1578-no-cost-agreements-and-cicacompetition/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August Posted December 5, 2013 Report Share Posted December 5, 2013 If they are conducting market research - could they invite several vendors, or publish an invitation on FBO to invite vendors, to provide their software for a short time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112LLP Posted December 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2013 Thank you for the feedback! I think the GAO white paper reference helped to answer my question. I'll see how the agency responds! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts