Base Supply Store (AbilityOne/Envision) GPC Purchases

[ShieldsAOPC]

Good day to you all!

I'm currently an A/OPC within the Government Purchase Card Program (GPC) and we have been pulling our hair out on individual equipment (IE) procurement list and non-procurement list items for deployers! Currently items on the procurement list are purchased from our mandatory base supply store (Envision), but we have noticed the majority of the items on the deployers' checklists are not on the procurement list; therefore, FAR 8.002 applies, according to AFI 64-117, Para. 4.1.12. For items not on the procurement list, cardholders would have to go through DLA, GSA, etc. resulting in splitting the requirement. Our base supply store has claimed they are a distributor for DLA, however they are called out separately in the FAR and we have seen no documentation on this. Further, when confronted about DLA, Envision has claimed that the majority of the items are not purchased through DLA because of the price difference. According to AFI 64-117, Para. 4.1.12.1 CHs may not purchase from unauthorized sources. So my questions are: What is the correct method of purchasing IE that contain procurement list and non-procurement list items and still be in compliance with mandatory sources, AFI 64-117 Para. 4.1.12., and FAR 8.002? How do you ensure/enforce a vendor (Envision) to purchase to the mandatory source (DLA)?

GPC is designed to be the most simplified and streamlined form of purchasing, however it has escalated to the point where each cardholder is coming directly to the GPC office for guidance. We are now confused ourselves! Any help/guidance is greatly appreciated!

[C Culham]

While not a specific GPC “expert” I will take a stab based on the facts you have offered.

Q. What is the correct method of purchasing IE that contain procurement list and non-procurement list items and still be in compliance with mandatory sources, AFI 64-117 Para. 4.1.12., and FAR 8.002?

A. 4.1.12 – Do not place the GPC holders that the purchase from Envision in the middle of this. It’s not their problem its Envision’s and your problem that Envision has not been forced to purchase from AbilityOne per FAR Part 8. If this approach is bothersome then take one of two or both of the following steps. Assist your GPC holders with creating a standard justification statement for the GPC file that they have gone to the required and stipulated source – Envision – and bought what they carry and/or seek a waiver per para. 1.3 of AFI 64-117.

FAR 8.002 – Again if Envision is a mandatory source from the AF’s point of view it is not the GPC holders problem. They are going to the mandatory source and that is it.

Q. How do you ensure/enforce a vendor (Envision) to purchase to the mandatory source (DLA)?

A. If Envision is within your command/supervisory authority order them to. If they are not take the situation to the authority that can and state your case. If that does not work then consider the waiver approach and absent that simply have the cardholder document the file with the facts and move on.