This series of FAR summaries is meant to take a meaningful portion of the Federal Acquisition Regulations to ensure an easy-to-understand approach to maintain that readers comprehend the process of doing business with the government and that the government exercises a fair and reasonable approach to doing business with the general public.
FAR Part 34 Major System Acquisition
Working in the VA’s FSS program, I’ve never done this from the desk. However, the VA Acquisition Academy did introduce this DoD concept.
Also, Susan Ebner of Stinson, LLC has a fabulous YouTube presentation and is well-versed om the subject.
The DFARS, A109 and A11 are also helpful in understanding the concept.
Even though major systems are really expensive, FAR 34.002 requires competition to get the best product at the best price. This is not necessarily the cheapest. Think bang for your buck and the government is trained in extracting information and data analysis.
FAR 34.003 tells us that the agency head decides what a major system is.
When procuring a major system, the CO should advertise the opportunity through SAM.gov and may have an Industry Day to get ideas (FAR 34.005-2), prototypes can be created (FAR 34.005-3) and demonstrations can be made (FAR 34.005-4).
Proposals must be written as to full production to satisfy the ask of the solicitation (FAR 34.005-5).
The agency head gives permission to move forward with production (FAR 34.005-6).
FAR 34.1 shows that Title III allows government to pay for testing, qualifications and production of major systems.
FAR 34.2 discusses earned value management systems which are really project and budget trackers that change in real time with real life progress. This includes mishaps, delays and milestones. Integrated baseline reviews match the tracker with human eyes (FAR 34.202). Projects over $20M use these strategies which means these strategies are most likely used for major system buys.
These buys require an acquisition plan (FAR 7.105) as well.
These projects run the full gamut of the acquisition cycle and can be very complicated.
If you think I can help then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory message and free consultation.
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