1507 Acquisition Planning and Market Research

Question 1

When does Acquisition planning begin?

Answer 1

-As soon as the agency need is identified

Question 2

Where are Acquisition planning found in the FAR?

Answer 2

FAR Part 7

Question 3

What is market research?

Answer 3

Collecting and analyzing information about capabilities within the market to satisfy agency needs

Question 4

What are some of the contents of a Written Acquisition Plans

Answer 4

Cost, schedule and capability or performance constraints

Plan of Action

Question 5

What FAR Part covers market research?

Answer 5

FAR Part 10

Question 6

How much market research should we do?

Answer 6

It will vary, depending upon factors such as:
Urgency
Estimated dollar value
Complexity
Past experience
Amount of info already available

Question 7

What is the government preference in procuring supplies shown on a continuum?

Answer 7

 Commercial Off-the-Shelf
 Minor modifications
 Non-developmental items
 Government unique

Question 8

What are the two types of market research and how do they differ?

Answer 8

A.	Strategic market research 
	On-going
	Not specific
B.	Tactical market research
	Focused
	Specific

Question 9

What are some potential sources for conducting market research?

Answer 9

A. Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
B. System for Award Management-www.sam.gov
C. FedBizOps
D. Catalogs
E. Trade shows
F. Historical acquisition data
G. GSA Advantage – Federal Supply Schedules

Question 10

What is the Team Approach to Market Research?

Answer 10

A. Provides collaborative effort to problem solving

B. Establish IPT Teams early

Question 11

What FAR Part covers Describing Agency Needs what does it do?

Answer 11

FAR Part 11
A.	Promote full and open competition
B.	Only include restrictive provisions or conditions to the extent necessary
C.	State requirements in:
	Functions to be performed
	Performance requirements
	Essential physical characteristics

Question 12

What is FAR Part covers Acquisition of Commercial Items and what does it require

Answer 12

FAR Part 12
Requires the government to conduct market research to:
 Determine availability of commercial or non-developmental items
 Acquire commercial or non-developmental items when possible
 Require prime contractors and subcontractors at all tiers to incorporate commercial or non-developmental items as components of items supplied to the agency

Question 13

What is a commercial item?

Answer 13

Any item, other than real property, that is of a type customarily used by the general public or by non-governmental entities for purposes other than governmental purposes, and has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public; or, has been offered for sale, lease or license to the general public, additional specs for commercial items in FAR Part 10

Question 14

What is a government unique item?

Answer 14

• Begin with Research and Development and very costly and long-lead time
• Examples: Armament, Nuclear submarines, Fighter aircraft, Missiles ,Helicopters

Question 15

What is a modified commercial item?

Answer 15

A commercial item that is specially modified for the government’s use. The product is considered commercial if it retains 50% of its original functionality

Question 16

What is a Non-developmental item (NDI)?

Answer 16

An item that was developed expressly for government use, as long as the contractor paid for all of the developmental costs, and the item is sold in substantial quantities, on a competitive basis, to multiple government offices (State and Federal)