FAR Part 10 Questions

Question 1

You received a requirements package for a large, complex services requirement that contains market research conducted nearly 2 years ago. What would you advise the client in terms of market research? What possible techniques to support adequate market research?

Answer 1

Since the market research is “nearly 2 years old,” the SCO should advise the client that new/updated market research should be conducted. FAR 10.002(b)(1) states: “The contracting officer may use market research conducted within 18 months before the award of any task or delivery order if the information is still current, accurate, and relevant.”

• Possible techniques to support adequate market research from FAR 10:
  (i) Contacting knowledgeable individuals in Government and industry regarding market capabilities to meet requirements.
  (ii) Reviewing the results of recent market research undertaken to meet similar or identical requirements.
  (iii) Publishing formal requests for information in appropriate technical or scientific journals or business publications.
  (iv) Querying the Government wide database of contracts (ex. Acquisition Gateway and Ebuy Open) and other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies available at https://www.contractdirectory.gov/contractdirectory/ and other Government and commercial databases that provide information relevant to agency acquisitions.
  (v) Participating in interactive, on-line communication among industry, acquisition personnel, and customers.
  (vi) Obtaining source lists of similar items from other contracting activities or agencies, trade associations or other sources.
  (vii) Reviewing catalogs and other generally available product literature published by manufacturers, distributors, and dealers or available on-line.
  (viii) Conducting interchange meetings or holding pre-solicitation conferences to involve potential offerors early in the acquisition process.