FAR 13.003(g) states:

(g) Authorized individuals shall make purchases in the simplified manner that is most suitable, efficient, and economical based on the circumstances of each acquisition. For acquisitions not expected to exceed—

(1) The simplified acquisition threshold for other than commercial items, use any appropriate combination of the procedures in Parts 13, 14, 15, 35, or 36, including the use of Standard Form 1442, Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair), for construction contracts (see 36.701(a)); or

(2) $6.5 million ($12 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500(e)), for commercial items, use any appropriate combination of the procedures in Parts 12, 13, 14, and 15 (see paragraph (d) of this section).

What does "appropriate combination" mean? I am having a tough time imagining what a solicitation would look like if it combined FAR Part 13, SImplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR Part 14, Sealed Bidding.

Does anyone have illustrative examples?

Ummmm. Send an email to 3 companies saying you want Widget 1234 and provide sealed bidding procedures for them to bring it to your lockbox. Why you would do this is questionable but it is using the combination.

How about, for painting a small office building at a remote location by advertising in the county newspaper as well as on the portal that you want emailed bids or alternatively that they can send or deliver hard copy bids to that office by a certain closing time? Painters don't necessarily know how to access government Internet sites but they sure know how to prep and paint a heck of a lot cheaper than many traditional government contractors. Small towns still use bidding techniques that are simplistic in comparison to Feds but the pricing and hassle are much less...

Even the idea of a local ad is seemingly novel to Many Feds.

How about, for painting a small office building at a remote location by advertising in the county newspaper as well as on the portal that you want emailed bids or alternatively that they can send or deliver hard copy bids to that office by a certain closing time? Painters don't necessarily know how to access government Internet sites but they sure know how to prep and paint a heck of a lot cheaper than many traditional government contractors. Small towns still use bidding techniques that are simplistic in comparison to Feds but the pricing and hassle are much less...

Even the idea of a local ad is seemingly novel to Many Feds.

Don't local ads cost money? Is there a novel solution other than "BPA with local newspaper for posting ads" that can make this a possibility?

Yes they do cost money - but not necessarily much, as long as you keep it simple. And it can be done using a government credit card, can't it?.

I didn't mention anything about using a BPA. How did you get that idea? A BPA might be okay but not necessarily appropriate for small construction, repair or maintenance projects at sites that are not on a government installation.

Thanks everyone!