1509 Competition Requirements

Question 1

What FAR Part covers Competition Requirements?

Answer 1

FAR Part 6

Question 2

What is the government’s Competition Policy? (FAR 6.101)

Answer 2

Contracting Officers SHALL promote and provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding Government contracts

Question 3

What is the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)?

Answer 3

Established requirement to use “competitive procedures” in acquiring supplies/services

Question 4

What is Full and Open Competition

Answer 4

All responsible sources permitted to compete

Question 5

What is Other than Full and Open Competition?

Answer 5

• Sole Source
• Limited competition required to meet requirements
• Seven statutory exceptions

Question 6

What is Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Answer 6

• Set-Asides for Small Business Concerns

* 8(a) Programs

Question 7

What are the 7 Statutory Exceptions to Full and Open Competition

Answer 7

• 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements
• 6.302-2 - Unusual and compelling urgency
• 6.303-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services
• 6.302-4 – International Agreement
• 6.302-5 – Authorized or required by statute
• 6.302-6 – National security
• 6.302-7 – Public Interest

Question 8

Contracting officers shall not enter into sole source negotiations (other than full and open competition ) without a _________

Answer 8

Justification and Approval (J&A)

Question 9

What does a J&A contain?

Answer 9

A. Exception authority cited for recommending a Sole Source
B. Sufficient justification for the authority cited
C. Agency identification
D. Description of the supply/service
E. Statutory requirement
F. Market research
G. Any facts supporting sole-source

Question 10

What is the Competition Advocate and what are they responsible for?

Answer 10

 Designated at the agency and each procuring activity
 Promotes the acquisition of commercial items
 Promotes full and open competition
 Helps the agency to meet their small business goals
 Recommends a system of personal and organizational accountability for competition

Question 11

What are the dollar thresholds for J&A approval?

Answer 11

A. Not Exceeding $700K – Contracting Officer
B. Over $700K - $13.5 Million – Competition Advocate for the procuring activity (not delegable)
C. Over $13.5 Million – $93 Million – Head of the Contracting Activity
D. Over $93 Million – Under Secretary of Defense for AL&T

Question 12

__________ is the preferred method for Micro-purchases and has what spending limits?

Answer 12

GCPC, $3.5K Supplies, $2.5K services

Question 13

What are the three types of competition?

Answer 13

A. Full and Open Competition
B. Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources
C. Other Than Full and Open Competition