This summer, I will be gradually moving most of the content from this blogsite to a new GSA-hosted blogsite.

All new content added after today will be posted at that new blogsite rather than here.

I have no current plans to delete anything here. This site will be our blog archives for now. This means that some of the old material here may be outdated when you read it, so you'll want to check it out at the new GSA blogsite home!

I'm working on getting a catchy new blogsite name from GSA. When I do, you'll know about it here.

Thanks!
Dave

Can Performance Incentives Be Included on Schedule Task Orders?
Can Schedule Task Orders Be of the “Fixed-Price Incentive” Type as Described in the FAR?

Multiple Award Schedule contracts are evaluated and awarded as commercial-type (FAR Part 12) acquisitions with all the clauses required for commercial contracts.  As commercial Schedule contracts, their orders can be of any type permitted for commercial acquisition and not prohibited by the Schedule contract.  (For example, Cost-Type contracts are not one of the permitted commercial Part 12 acquisition types.  You cannot do those tasks under the Schedule contracts.)

1. What does the FAR say?

FAR ...<< MORE >>

Enhanced GSA R10 Search Engine for GSA Advantage Using an Advanced Google Search


In my opinion, the above is a much more powerful search engine than that available with the search text block in GSA Advantage!

Here are some do-it-yourself instructions using the method behind Jon Bearscove's previous AdvantagePlus.  We are all free to use Google like this to search GSA Advantage.  But save the instructions, as you will have to follow the instructions on every advanced search if you decide not to use the GSA R10 Search Engine weblink in this blog post.

Dave

...and not merely as a tie-breaker or go/no-go factor?

Answer: Yes. There does not appear to be any controlling authority prohibiting the designation and weighting of a “Socioeconomic Status” evaluation factor for Schedule BPAs and orders nor is there any restriction on the use of such a factor only to break ties on quotes of equal price.  In view of the clear FAR intent and consistent GSA policy on broad, discretionary use of such a best-value factor, the inclusion of socioeconomic status as an evaluation factor appears to be a matter within the reasonable discretion of the Contracting Officer.

Read the facts/issue/rationale here.
See the full text of all the cited references here.

On March 5, 2009 GSA hosted an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA.  Brad led the session on "Engineering, Professional, Technical and Business Consulting."  The attached audio is from the third of four identical sessions given that day.  Unfortunately, the two panel members (Jackie and Mike) were quite a ways from  the digital recorder so a little audio manipulation in Audacity was required to equalize the volume levels.  That's why it might sound a little strange in places.  Also available here is the presentation that goes with the audio.

Played: 144 | Download | Duration: 00:51:56

Recovery Act Presentation

Here is the audio for Part 1 (slides 1-31) of the 3/25/2009 webinar "Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services."

Played: 194 | Download | Duration: 00:58:41

Webinar Handouts (including slides) with webinar questions and answers.

Audio Part 2

Audio Part 3

Here is the third and final part of the audio (slide 47 to end) from the 3/25/2009 webinar "Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services."

Played: 130 | Download | Duration: 01:40:51

Webinar Handouts (including slides) with webinar questions and answers

Audio Part 1

Audio Part 2

Here is Part 2 (Slides 31 to 46) of the audio for the 3/25/2009 webinar "Using GSA Schedules for Professional Services."

Played: 134 | Download | Duration: 00:50:35

Webinar Handouts (including slides) with webinar questions and answers

Audio Part 1

Audio Part 3

FAR SubPart 8.4 gives us the only terminology appropriate for Schedule ordering.

The Request for Quotation (RFQ) is the document issued by the ordering activity to firms holding Schedule contracts. Schedule contractors respond to the RFQ with quotations.  FAR 8.402(d) describes eBuy as GSA’s electronic RFQ system.  FAR 8.405-2 defines the only ordering procedures for services requiring a statement of work.  Those are specifically called “Request for Quotation procedures” in the title of FAR 8.405-2(c).  “The ordering activity shall provide the RFQ (including the statement of work and evaluation criteria) to at least three schedule contractors…” FAR 8.405-2(c)(2)(ii). Above ...<< MORE >>

(Podcast originally published March 2008 and restored to the blogsite April 2009.)

Program Notes (D. Clemens, March 2008, 16 pages)

Episode 2 Summary: Once you have determined that the Schedules might provide a procurement solution, as discussed in Episode 1, how do you decide which Schedule(s) to use? This episode deals with the process of Schedule scope determination, offering suggestions on how to determine the Schedule(s) of best fit.  Also included in this episode is my interview with Schedule 874 MOBIS Lead Contracting Officer Kathleen Sewell. Find out from Kathee what MOBIS can (and cannot) do for you.

Played: 103 | Download | Duration: 00:49:48