FAR Part 6

Question 1

Competition Requirements

Answer 1

Full and Open Competition

Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Other Than Full and Open Competition

Sealed Bidding and Competitive Proposals

Advocates for Competition

Question 2

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Scope of Subpart (FAR 6.100):

Answer 2

This subpart prescribes the policy and procedures used to promote and provide for
full and open competition.

Question 3

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Policy (FAR 6.101):

Answer 3

10 U.S.C .3201 and 41 U.S.C .3301: Require contracting officers to promote and provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding Government contracts.

Contracting Officers’ Role: Ensure competitive procedures best suited to the circumstances of the contract action are used.

Question 4

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Use of Competitive Procedures (FAR 6.102):

Answer 4

SealedBids(FAR6.102(a)):SeeFAR6.401(a).(upcoming slide)

CompetitiveProposals(FAR6.102(b)):SeeFAR6.401(b).(upcoming slide)

Combination of Competitive Procedures (FAR6.102(c)):Use a combination if sealed bids are not appropriate.

Other Competitive Procedures (FAR6.102(d)):

Architect-engineer contracts

Basic and applied research

Multiple award schedules

Question 5

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Architect-Engineer Contracts:

Answer 5

Selection Process: The selection of sources for architect-engineer contracts is governed by the provisions of 40 U.S.C. 1102 et seq. This process involves a
competitive procedure that focuses on the qualifications of the firms rather than price.

Procedure: See FAR Subpart 36.6 for detailed procedures on the selection of architect-engineer firms. The process includes public announcements of
requirements, evaluation of qualifications, and negotiation of contracts based on the most highly qualified firms.

Question 6

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Basic and Applied Research:

Answer 6

Competitive Selection: Basic and applied research, as well as development not related to a specific system or hardware procurement, can be conducted using
competitive procedures if the award results from a broad agency announcement.

Broad Agency Announcements (BAA):

General Nature: A BAA identifies areas of research interest, including criteria for selecting proposals and soliciting participation from capable offerors.

Peer or Scientific Review: Proposals received in response to a BAA are subject to peer or scientific review to determine their merit and relevance to the government’s needs.

Question 7

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.1 Full and Open Competition

Multiple Award Schedules:

Answer 7

GSA Schedules: The use of multiple award schedules issued under the procedures established by the General Services Administration (GSA) is
considered a competitive procedure.

Statutory Requirement: This is consistent with the requirement of 41 U.S.C. 152(3)(A) for the multiple award schedule program. The program allows the government to obtain commercial products and services at competitive prices by leveraging the buying power of the federal government.

Question 8

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.2 Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Scope of Subpart (FAR 6.200):

Answer 8

This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for providing full and open competition after excluding one or more sources.

Question 9

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.2 Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Policy (FAR 6.201):

Answer 9

Acquisitions under this subpart require the use of competitive procedures prescribed in FAR 6.102.

Question 10

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.2 Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Establishing or Maintaining Alternative Sources (FAR 6.202):

Answer 10

Reasons to Exclude Sources:
 Increase or maintain competition and reduce costs
 National defense interests
 Essential engineering, research, or development capability
 Reliable source availability
 High demand history
 Critical medical, safety, or emergency supplies

Documentation (FAR 6.202(b)):
o A determination and findings (D&F) is required, signed by the agency head or designee.

Question 11

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.3 Other Than Full and Open Competition

Scope of Subpart (FAR 6.300):

Answer 11

Prescribes policies and procedures for contracting without full and open competition.

Question 12

Part 6 - Competition Requirements

6.3 Other Than Full and Open Competition

Policy (FAR 6.301):

Answer 12

Authority(41U.S.C.3304and10U.S.C.3204):Allowscontractingwithoutfulland
open competition under specific conditions.

Requirements:
* Contracts must cite specific authority.
* Justifications must not be due to lack of planning or funding concerns.

Question 13

Circumstances Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition (FAR 6.302):

Answer 13

OnlyOneResponsibleSource(FAR6.302-1)

Unusual and Compelling Urgency (FAR6.302-2)

Industrial Mobilization, Engineering, Developmental, or Research Capability; Expert Services (FAR 6.302-3)

International Agreement(FAR6.302-4)

Authorized or Required by Statute( FAR6.302-5)

National Security(FAR6.302-6)

Public Interest(FAR6.302-7)

Question 14

Sealed Bidding (FAR 6.401(a)):

Answer 14

*Conditions for Use:
* Time permits solicitation, submission, and evaluation of bids.
* Award based on price and price-related factors.
* No need for discussions.
* Expectation of receiving more than one sealed bid.

Procedures:SeeFARPart14.(Covered today)

Slide2CompetitiveProposals(FAR6.401(b)) :Conditions for Use: Sealed bids are not appropriate.Necessary to conduct discussions with offerors. Procedures: See FAR Part 15.International Contracts: Typically use competitive proposals due to differences in laws and business practices.

Question 15

Competitive Proposals (FAR 6.401(b)):

Answer 15

*Conditions for Use:

Sealed bids are not appropriate.

Necessary to conduct discussions with offerors.

Procedures:SeeFARPart15. (covered in future class)

International Contracts: Typically use competitive proposals due to differences in laws and business practices.

Question 16

6.5 Advocates for Competition

Requirement (FAR 6.501):

Answer 16

Designation: Each executive agency must designate an advocate for competition.

Position Requirements:
* Must be separate from the senior procurement executive.
* No conflicting duties or responsibilities.

Question 17

6.5 Advocates for Competition

Duties and Responsibilities (FAR 6.502):

Answer 17

Promote Commercial Products and Services:
 Promote full and open competition.
 Challenge non-competitive requirements.

Annual Reports:
 Identify opportunities for commercial products and services.
 Report on actions taken to promote competition.
 Recommend goals and plans for increasing competition.

System of Accountability: Recommend personal and organizational accountability for promoting competition.

Question 18

Competition Requirements

Answer 18

Part 6 prescribes policies and procedures for full and open competition, full and open competition
after exclusion of sources, and other than full and open competition.

Question 19

Competition Requirements

Answer 19

No agency shall contract for supplies or services from another agency for the purpose of avoiding
the requirements of this part.

Question 20

What Is Full and Open Competition?

Answer 20

Contracting officers shall promote and provide for full
and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding government contracts.

The contracting officer shall do this through the use of
competitive procedures best suited to the specific contract action and consistent with the agency’s needs.

Question 21

Full and open competition

Answer 21

When used with respect to a contract action, the process by which all responsible sources are permitted to compete

Question 22

Responsible Prospective Contractor

Answer 22

A seller which has been found to be capable party that has the financial resources, personnel, facilities, integrity, and overall capability to
fulfill specifice contractual requirements satisfactorily

Question 23

When Is Full and Ope n Competition Not Required?

Answer 23

When the contract has been awarded using
the simplified acquisition procedures of Part 13.

When the contract has been awarded using contracting procedures (other than those addressed ni this part) that are expressly authorized by statute.

In contract modifications, including the exercise of priced options that were evaluated as part of the initial
competition, that are within the scope and under the terms of an existing contract.

In orders placed under requirements contracts or definite-quantity contracts.

In orders placed under indefinite-quantity contracts that were entered into pursuant to this part when:
* The contract was awarded under Subpart 6.1 or 6.2 and all responsible sources were realistically permitted to compete for the requirements contained in the order, or
* The contract was awarded under Subpart 6.3 and the
required justification and approval adequately covers the requirements contained in the order.
In orders placed under indefinite-quantity contracts that were entered into pursuant to this part when:
* The contract was awarded under Subpart 6.1 or 6.2 and all responsible sources were realistically permitted to compete for the requirements contained in the order, or
* The contract was awarded under Subpart 6.3 and the
required justification and approval adequately covers the requirements contained in the order.

If the order was placed against task order and delivery order contracts entered into pursuant to subpart 16.5

Question 24

Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Agencies may exclude sources fi the agency head determines that their exclusion would:

Answer 24

Increase or maintain competition and be likely to reduce
overall costs,

Be in the interest of national defense,

Ensure the continued availability of required supplies or
services,

Satisfy projected needs based on a history of high demand, or

Satisfy a critical need for emergency supplies

Question 25

Contract Set-asides for Certain Classes of Business Concerns

Contracting officers may set aside contracts for these classes of business concerns. No separate justification or D&F is required

Answer 25

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to small business concerns, contracting officers may set aside solicitations to allow only such business concerns to compete.

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, contracting officers may limit competition to eligible 8a contractors

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the HUBZone Act of 1997, contracting officers in participating agencies may set aside solicitations to allow only qualified HUBZone small business concerns to

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, contracting officers may set aside solicitations to allow only service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to compete.

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to 15 U.S.C. 637(m), COs may set aside solicitations for only economically disadvantaged women-owned small business or women-owned small business concerns eligible under the WOSB program.

To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, COs may set aside solicitations to allow only offerors residing or doing business primarily in the area affected by a major disaster or emergency to compete.

Question 26

Circumstances Permitting Other Than Full and Open Competition

There are seven exceptions to full and open competition:

USC 41

Answer 26

Only one responsiible source

Unusual and compelling urgency

Industrial mobilization

International agreement

Source authorized or required by statute

National security

Public interest

Question 27

The contracting officer must provide full and open competition unless

Answer 27

it is justified in writing, the accuracy and completeness of the justification are certified

and the appropriate level of approval is obtained

The justification for other than full and open competition shall be approved in writing.

The contracting officer may only give this approval for contracts not exceeding $750,000

Question 28

The justification for other than full and open competition
exceeding $750,000 shall be approved in writing as follows:

Answer 28

Contracts exceeding $750,000 but less than $15 million are approved by the competition advocate.

Refer to the FAR for the thresholds approving authority for contracts exceeding $15 million

Contracts exceeding this amount must be approved by the senior procurement executive of the agency.

The agency shall make publicly available the justifications required by this part.

Question 29

Sealed bidding

Answer 29

An acquisition method in which the government issues an invitation for bids (IFB)

Bids are enclosed in a glued (sealed) envelope and submitted in response to an invitation for bids. Sealed bids received up to the deadline date are generally opened at a stated time and place

Award is made to that responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the invitation for bids, will be most advantageous to the government considering only price and price-related factors included in the invitation

Question 30

Competitive proposal

A competitive procurement practice in government purchasing that:

Answer 30

Is initiated by a request for proposal,

Contemplates the submission of timely proposals by the maximum number of
possible suppliers,

Permits discussions with those suppliers found to be within the competitive
range, and

Concludes with the award of a contract to the one supplier whose proposal is
most advantageous to the government (considering price and the other factors included in the solicitation)

Question 31

Sealed Bidding and Competitive Proposals

Sealed bids

Answer 31

There is sufficient time to conduct the sealed-bidding process

The award will be made on the basis of price and price-related factors

It is not necessary to conduct discussions

There is a reasonable expectation of receiving more than one sealed bid
Competitive proposals

Used when sealed bidding cannot be used

Question 32

The Competition Advocate

The head of each executive agency shall designate a
competition advocate for the agency and for each procuring activity of the agency. Competition advocates are responsible for:

Answer 32

Promoting the acquisition of commercial items

Promoting full and open competition

Challenging requirements not stated in terms of functions to be performed, performance required, or essential physical characteristics

Challenging barriers to the acquisition of commercial items and full and open competition

Question 33

FAR PART 6. COMPETITION
REQUIREMENTS

This part applies to all acquisitions except

Answer 33

1. Contracts awarded using the simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) of part 13;
2. Contracts awarded using contracting procedures (other than those addressed in this part) that are expressly authorized by statute;
3. Contract modifications, including the exercise of priced options that were evaluated as part of the initial competition, that are within the scope and under the terms of an existing contract;
4. Orders placed under requirements contracts or definite-quantity contracts;
5. Orders placed under indefinite-quantity contracts that were entered into pursuant to this part when
   a. The contract was awarded under subpart 6.1 or 6.2 and all responsible sources were realistically permitted to compete for the requirements contained on the order; or
   b. The contract was awarded under subpart
   6.3. and the required justification and approval adequately covers the requirements contained in the order; or

Orders placed against task order and deliver order contracts entered into pursuant to subpart 16.5.

Question 34

Full and open competition is the process by which all responsible sources are allowed to compete. Contracting officers are required, with certain limited exceptions (see FAR 6.2 and 6.3), to promote and provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding government contracts.
Competitive procedures
available for use in fulfilling the requirement for full and open competition

Answer 34

are sealed bids,

competitive proposals,

combination of competitive procedures (e.g., two-step sealed bidding),

and other competitive procedures (e.g., selection of sources for architect-engineer contracts).

Question 35

ESTABLISHING OR MAINTAINING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES: Agencies may exclude sources if the agency head determines that to do so

Answer 35

would increase or maintain competition and

likely result in reduced overall costs;

would be in the interest of national defense;

would ensure the continuous availability of a reliable source of supplies or services;

would satisfy projected needs based on a history of high demand;

or satisfy a critical need for medical, safety, or emergency supplies.

Every proposed contract action that falls under this provision must be supported by a D&F signed by the head of the agency or designee and not made on a class basis.

Question 36

SET-ASIDES FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to small business concerns, contracting

Answer 36

officers may set aside solicitations to allow only such business concerns to compete.

No separate justification or D&F is required under this part to set aside a contract action for small business concerns.

SECTION 8(A) COMPETITION: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, contracting officers may limit competition to eligible 8(a)

Question 37

SET-ASIDES FOR HUBZONE SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the HUBZone Act of 1997, contracting officers in participating agencies

Answer 37

may set aside solicitations to allow only qualified HUBZone small business concerns to compete.

No separate justification or D&F is required under this part to set aside a contract action for qualified HUBZone small business concerns. (FAR

Question 38

SET-ASIDES FOR SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, contracting officers

Answer 38

may set aside solicitations to allow only service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to compete.

No separate justification or D&F is required under this part to set aside a contract

Question 39

SET-ASIDES FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (EDWOSB) CONCERNS OR WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB) CONCERNS: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to 15 U.S.C. 637(m), contracting officers

Answer 39

may set aside solicitations for only EDWOSB or WOSB concerns eligible under the WOSB program.

No separate justification or D&F is required under this part to set aside a contract action for EDWOSB concerns or WOSB concerns eligible under the WOSB program. (FAR
6.207)

Question 40

SET-ASIDES FOR LOCAL FIRMS DURING A MAJOR DISASTER OR EMERGENCY: To fulfill the statutory requirements relating to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, contracting

Answer 40

officers may set aside solicitations to allow only offerors residing or doing business primarily in the area affected by such major disaster or emergency to compete.

No separate justification or D&F is required

Question 41

“Major disaster or emergency area”

Answer 41

means the area included in the official presidential declarations)

and any additional areas identified by the Department of Homeland Security.

Question 42

D. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN
COMPETITION (FAR 6.3)

Both 41 U.S.C. 253(c) and 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) authorize, under certain conditions, contracting without providing for full and open competition.

There are seven exceptions to full and open competition:

Answer 42

1. Only one responsible source,
2. Unusual and compelling urgency,
3. Industrial mobilization,
4. International agreement,
5. Source authorized or required by statute,
6. National security, and
7. Public interest.

The approval thresholds for a justification for other than full and open competition shall be in writing, refer to FAR 6.304 (a) for current thresholds. The agency shall make publicly available the justifications required by this

Question 43

Sealed bids are appropriate

Answer 43

when time permits;

award will be made on the basis of price and other price-related factors,

no discussions are required,

and when there is reasonable expectation of receiving more than one bid

Question 44

Competitive proposals are appropriate

Answer 44

when sealed bids are not.

Question 45

Sealed bidding and competitive proposals are both

Answer 45

acceptable procedures for use under full and open competition and full and open competition after exclusion of sources.

Question 46

Agency and procuring activity competition advocates are responsible

Answer 46

promoting the acquisition of commercial items;

promoting full and open competition;

challenging requirements that are not stated in terms of functions to be performed;

performance required or essential physical characteristics;

and challenging barriers to the acquisition of commercial items and full and open competition, such as unnecessarily restrictive statements of work, unnecessarily detailed specifications, and unnecessarily burdensome contract clauses.