Procurement authority
Subject to the authority of the Secretary, the Chief Operating Officer of a PBO may exercise the authority of the Secretary to procure property and services in the performance of functions managed by the PBO. For the purposes of this section, the term “PBO” includes the Chief Operating Officer of the PBO and any employee of the PBO exercising procurement authority under the preceding sentence.
In general
Service contracts
Performance-based servicing contracts
The Chief Operating Officer shall, to the extent practicable, maximize the use of performance-based servicing contracts, consistent with guidelines for such contracts published by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, to achieve cost savings and improve service.
Fee for service arrangements
section 1018(b)(2) of this titleThe Chief Operating Officer shall, when appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the PBO, acquire services related to the functions set forth in from any entity that has the capability and capacity to meet the requirements set by the PBO. The Chief Operating Officer is authorized to pay fees that are equivalent to those paid by other entities to an organization that provides services that meet the requirements of the PBO, as determined by the Chief Operating Officer.
Two-phase source-selection procedures
In general
The PBO may use a two-phase process for selecting a source for a procurement of property or services.
First phase
Publication of notice
Information submitted by offerors
Each offeror for the procurement shall submit basic information, such as information on the offeror’s qualifications, the proposed conceptual approach, costs likely to be associated with the proposed conceptual approach, and past performance of the offeror, together with any additional information that is requested by the contracting officer.
Selection for second phase
The contracting officer shall select the offerors that are to be eligible to participate in the second phase of the process. The contracting officer shall limit the number of the selected offerors to the number of sources that the contracting officer determines is appropriate and in the best interests of the Federal Government.
Second phase
In general
section 4702 of title 41The contracting officer shall conduct the second phase of the source selection process in accordance with sections 3306(a) to (e) and 3308, chapter 37, and .
Eligible participants
Only the sources selected in the first phase of the process shall be eligible to participate in the second phase.
Single or multiple procurements
The second phase may include a single procurement or multiple procurements within the scope, or for the purpose, described in the notice pursuant to paragraph (2)(A).
Procedures considered competitive
The procedures used for selecting a source for a procurement under this subsection shall be considered competitive procedures for all purposes.
Use of simplified procedures for commercial products and commercial services
Whenever the PBO anticipates that commercial products or commercial services will be offered for a procurement, the PBO may use (consistent with the special rules for commercial products and commercial services) the special simplified procedures for the procurement without regard to any dollar limitation otherwise applicable to the use of those procedures.
Flexible wait periods and deadlines for submission of offers of noncommercial products and services
Authority
Inapplicability to commercial products and services
Paragraph (1) does not apply to a procurement of a commercial product or a commercial service.
Consistency with applicable international agreements
If an international agreement is applicable to the procurement, any exercise of authority under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the international agreement.
Modular contracting
In general
The PBO may satisfy the requirements of the PBO for a system incrementally by carrying out successive procurements of modules of the system. In doing so, the PBO may use procedures authorized under this subsection to procure any such module after the first module.
Utility requirement
A module may not be procured for a system under this subsection unless the module is useful independently of the other modules or useful in combination with another module previously procured for the system.
Conditions for use of authority
Procedures
Single-source basis
Award of the contract on a single-source basis to a contractor who was awarded a contract for a module previously procured for the system under competitive procedures or procedures authorized under subparagraph (B).
Adequate competition
Other
Award of the contract under any other procedure authorized by law.
Notice requirement
Publication
Not less than 30 days before issuing a solicitation for offers for a contract for a module for a system under procedures authorized under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (4), the PBO shall publish in the Commerce Business Daily a notice of the intent to use such procedures to enter into the contract.
Exception
Publication of a notice is not required under this paragraph with respect to a use of procedures authorized under paragraph (4) if the contractor referred to in that subparagraph (who is to be solicited to submit an offer) has previously provided a module for the system under a contract that contained cost, schedule, and performance goals and the contractor met those goals.
Content of notice
section 1708(c) of title 41A notice published under subparagraph (A) with respect to a use of procedures described in paragraph (4) shall contain the information required under , other than paragraph (4) of such section, and shall invite the submission of any assertion that the use of the procedures for the procurement involved is not in the best interest of the Federal Government together with information supporting the assertion.
Documentation
section 3304(e) of title 41section 637(h) of title 15The basis for an award of a contract under this subsection shall be documented. However, a justification pursuant to or is not required.
Simplified source-selection procedures
The PBO may award a contract under any other simplified procedures prescribed by the PBO for the selection of sources for the procurement of modules for a system, after the first module, that are not to be procured under a contract awarded on a single-source basis.
Use of simplified procedures for small business set-asides for services other than commercial services
Authority
Inapplicability to certain procurements
Guidance for use of authority
Issuance by PBO
The Chief Operating Officer of the PBO, in consultation with the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, shall issue guidance for the use by PBO personnel of the authority provided in this section.
Guidance from OFPP
As part of the consultation required under paragraph (1), the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall provide the PBO with guidance that is designed to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the authority under this section is exercised by the PBO in a manner that is consistent with the exercise of the authority by the heads of the other performance-based organizations.
Compliance with OFPP guidance
The head of the PBO shall ensure that the procurements of the PBO under this section are carried out in a manner that is consistent with the guidance provided for the PBO under paragraph (2).
Limitation on multiagency contracting
No department or agency of the Federal Government may purchase property or services under contracts entered into or administered by a PBO under this section unless the purchase is approved in advance by the senior procurement official of that department or agency who is responsible for purchasing by the department or agency.
Laws not affected
Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive laws for the enforcement of civil rights or for the establishment and enforcement of labor standards that are applicable to contracts of the Federal Government.
Definitions
Commercial product
section 103 of title 41The term “commercial product” has the meaning given the term in .
Commercial service
section 103a of title 41The term “commercial service” has the meaning given the term in .
Competitive procedures
section 152 of title 41The term “competitive procedures” has the meaning given the term in .
Single-source basis
The term “single-source basis”, with respect to an award of a contract, means that the contract is awarded to a source after soliciting an offer or offers from, and negotiating with, only such source (although such source is not the only source in the marketplace capable of meeting the need) because such source is the most advantageous source for purposes of the award.
Special rules for commercial products and commercial services
The term “special rules for commercial products and commercial services” means the regulations set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation pursuant to sections 1901 and 3305(a) of title 41.
Special simplified procedures
The term “special simplified procedures” means the procedures applicable to purchases of property and services for amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold that are set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation pursuant to sections 1901(a)(1) and 3305(a)(1) of title 41.
Pub. L. 89–329, title I, § 142Pub. L. 105–244, title I, § 101(a)112 Stat. 1611Pub. L. 110–315, title I, § 118122 Stat. 3116Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 836(g)(2)132 Stat. 1872(, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Codification
section 1708 of title 4141 U.S.C. 416Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (d)(2)(A), “” substituted for “section 18 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ()” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
section 4702 of title 4141 U.S.C. 253aPub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (d)(3)(A), “sections 3306(a) to (e) and 3308, chapter 37, and ” substituted for “sections 303A and 303B of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ( and 253b)” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
section 1708 of title 4141 U.S.C. 416Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (f)(1)(A), “” substituted for “section 18 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ()” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
section 1708(c) of title 4141 U.S.C. 416(b)Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (g)(5)(C), “” substituted for “section 18(b) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ()” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
section 3304(e) of title 4141 U.S.C. 253(f)Pub. L. 111–350, § 6(c)124 Stat. 3854In subsec. (g)(6), “” substituted for “section 303(f) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ()” on authority of , , , which Act enacted Title 41, Public Contracts.
Prior Provisions
Pub. L. 89–329, title I, § 142Pub. L. 100–418, title VI, § 6201102 Stat. 1515Pub. L. 102–325A prior section 1018a, , as added , , , related to grants for literacy corps programs, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by .
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(A)110 Stat. 65410 U.S.C. 23042018—Subsec. (e). , in heading, substituted “commercial products and commercial services” for “commercial items” and, in text, substituted “that commercial products or commercial services will be offered for a procurement, the PBO may use (consistent with the special rules for commercial products and commercial services) the special simplified procedures for the procurement without regard to” for “that commercial items will be offered for a procurement, the PBO may use (consistent with the special rules for commercial items) the special simplified procedures for the procurement without regard to—”, struck out par. (1) designation, substituted period for “; and”, and struck out par. (2). Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “the expiration of the authority to use special simplified procedures under section 4202(e) of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (; note).”
Pub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(B)(i)Subsec. (f). , substituted “products and services” for “items” in heading.
Pub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(B)(ii)Subsec. (f)(2). , (iii), substituted “products and services” for “items” in heading and “a commercial product or a commercial service” for “a commercial item” in text.
Pub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(C)(i)Subsec. (h). , substituted “services” for “items” in heading.
Pub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(C)(ii)Subsec. (h)(1). , substituted “commercial services” for “commercial items” in introductory provisions.
lPub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(D)(ii)Subsec. ()(1), (2). , added pars. (1) and (2) and struck out former par. (1) which defined “commercial item”. Former par. (2) redesignated (3).
lPub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(D)(i)section 152 of title 4141 U.S.C. 259(b)Subsec. ()(3). , (iii), redesignated par. (2) as (3) and substituted “in .” for “in section 309(b) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ().” Former par. (3) redesignated (4).
lPub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(D)(i)Subsec. ()(4). , redesignated par. (3) as (4). Former par. (4) redesignated (5).
lPub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(D)(i)41 U.S.C. 253(g)(1)41 U.S.C. 427Subsec. ()(5). , (iv), redesignated par. (4) as (5) and substituted, in heading, “commercial products and commercial services” for “commercial items” and, in text, “commercial products and commercial services” for “commercial items” and “pursuant to sections 1901 and 3305(a) of title 41.” for “pursuant to section 303(g)(1) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 () and section 31 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ().” Former par. (5) redesignated (6).
lPub. L. 115–232, § 836(g)(2)(D)(i)41 U.S.C. 253(g)(1)(A)41 U.S.C. 427(a)(1)Subsec. ()(6). , (v), redesignated par. (5) as (6) and substituted “pursuant to sections 1901(a)(1) and 3305(a)(1) of title 41.” for “pursuant to section 303(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 () and section 31(a)(1) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ().”
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(1)(A)2008—Subsec. (b)(1). , struck out “for information systems supporting the programs authorized under subchapter IV” after “enter into contracts” and “and” after semicolon.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(2), (3). , (C), substituted “; and” for period at end of par. (2) and added par. (3).
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(2)Subsec. (c)(2). , added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Chief Operating Officer shall, when appropriate and consistent with the purposes of the PBO, acquire services related to the subchapter IV delivery system from any entity that has the capability and capacity to meet the requirements for the system. The Chief Operating Officer is authorized to pay fees that are equivalent to those paid by other entities to an organization that provides an information system or service that meets the requirements of the PBO, as determined by the Chief Operating Officer.”
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(3)Subsec. (d)(2)(B). , struck out “on Federal Government contracts” after “performance of the offeror”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(4)(A)Subsec. (g)(4)(A). , substituted “Single-source basis” for “Sole source” in heading and “single-source” for “sole-source” in text.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(4)(B)Subsec. (g)(7). , substituted “single-source” for “sole-source”.
Pub. L. 110–315, § 118(5)Subsec. (h)(2)(A). , substituted “single-source” for “sole-source”.
lPub. L. 110–315, § 118(6)Subsec. ()(3). , added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The term ‘sole-source basis’, with respect to an award of a contract, means that the contract is awarded to a source after soliciting an offer or offers from, and negotiating with, only that source.”
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–232section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232section 453b of Title 6Amendment by effective , subject to a savings provision, see , set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under , Domestic Security.