Just as with my Quick Hitter series on the FAR, my Quick Hitter series on the GSAR is meant to simplify contracting business with the government. This time with GSA.
GSAR Subpart 511.6 Priorities And Allocations
GSA is an authorized agency for DPAs, but what’s that mean? They have priority and authority for DoD strategies in peacetime, wartime and national designations such as preparedness and emergency.
These buys are prioritized on a rating scale consisting of DX, DO and unrated. However, these buys can’t be COTS, they must be custom, they can’t already be on schedule or in major category and cannot be an administrative service. So, think top-secret stuff regardless of wartime. These ratings can be existent for all or part of a contract. For example, an unrated IDIQ contract can have a TO rated DX.
Each DPA contract and order must contain the priority rating, program symbol (GSA is K1), a specific date or days ARO, an authentically signed request order and an authentic National Defense statement.
I think I’ve mentioned this story in another blog post. At the VA Acquisition Academy we did a mock emergency buy for a nationwide pandemic complete with protection and cure five years before the actual thing. Good thing we didn’t mock a foreign invasion! These buys can consist of one or many contracts working together to combat an issue. Another example. The FSS program at the VA awarded contracts for COVID-19 testing.
If you think I can help you then email nicholas.s.robertson@outlook.com for your introductory email and free consultation.
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