NAICS, set-aside, IDIQ, BPA, OTA, SCA, FAR, DFARS · the working vocabulary of government contracting, written by people who use it daily. Each entry includes an example and the FAR section where it lives.
An SBA program giving socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses access to sole-source and set-aside contracts during a nine-year term.
The process of coordinating efforts to fulfill an agency's need in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. Documented in an Acquisition Plan per FAR 7.105.
An incentive fee earned by the contractor based on subjective evaluation of performance against criteria in the contract.
A simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing 'charge accounts' with qualified sources.
A designation by the Office of Management and Budget for procurement vehicles that meet defined performance, pricing, and policy criteria.
A formal challenge to the award (or proposed award) of a contract. Filed at the GAO, the agency, or the Court of Federal Claims.
Commercial and Government Entity code. A 5-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency to identify suppliers.
A one-page document summarizing a company's capabilities, certifications, identifiers, and past performance · the GovCon equivalent of a one-pager.
The federal employee with the legal authority to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the government.
A cost-reimbursement contract that provides for payment of allowable costs incurred plus a fixed fee not affected by changes in cost.
Contract Line Item Number: the numbered line that organizes a contract's deliverables, each with its own description, quantity, unit, and price.
The Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System, the governmentwide record of contractor performance evaluations that feeds past-performance reviews on future bids.
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement. The DoD-specific supplement to the FAR.
Data Universal Numbering System. A 9-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Replaced by UEI in April 2022.
The agency's explanation to an offeror of why its proposal was not selected. A timely written request triggers it and can extend the protest window.
A technique that measures cost and schedule performance against a baseline, required on certain larger cost-reimbursement and incentive contracts.
Federal Acquisition Regulation. The principal set of rules in the Federal Acquisition Regulatory System governing federal contracting.
The requirement that all awardees under a multiple-award IDIQ have a fair opportunity to be considered for each task order.
A contract type that provides for a price not subject to adjustment on the basis of the contractor's cost experience in performing.
A task-order or delivery-order contract for IT services issued by one agency for use by other agencies government-wide.
The governmentwide Schedule (also called the GSA Schedule) letting agencies buy commercial products and services at pre-negotiated ceiling prices.
An SBA program providing contracting preferences to small businesses located in, and employing residents of, Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
A type of indefinite-delivery contract that provides for an indefinite quantity of supplies or services during a fixed period.
A function so intimately related to the public interest that it must be performed by federal employees.
The written justification, approved at a level set by dollar value, required to award a contract without full and open competition.
The rule capping how much of a set-aside award a prime may pass to firms that are not similarly situated, generally 50% of the amount paid for services or supplies.
A source-selection method awarding to the lowest-priced offer that meets stated technical acceptability standards, with no tradeoff for higher-rated proposals.
The dollar ceiling below which agencies may make simplified purchases without competitive quotes, generally $10,000 for most acquisitions.
North American Industry Classification System. Six-digit codes used by the U.S. government to classify business activity.
A type of agreement, separate from FAR-based contracts, that lets agencies (mostly DoD) acquire prototypes and follow-on production outside the FAR.
A situation where a contractor's other work, relationships, or access could impair objectivity or give an unfair advantage; it must be identified and mitigated or avoided.
A contractor's record of relevant performance on previous contracts. Used as a key evaluation factor in source selection.
Product Service Code. Four-character codes used by the federal government to classify the products and services they buy.
The government's plan for monitoring a contractor's performance against measurable standards, typically paired with a performance work statement.
Representations and Certifications. The annual filing in SAM.gov where vendors certify size status, ownership, and various compliance matters.
The solicitation used for negotiated acquisitions, requesting proposals the government evaluates on price and non-price factors before award.
A solicitation used in simplified acquisitions asking vendors for price quotes; a quote is not an offer the government can accept to form a contract.
A 2019 NDAA provision prohibiting federal contractors from using covered telecommunications equipment from named foreign entities.
A contracting method that limits competition to a specific category of small businesses (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone).
A pre-solicitation notice used by agencies to identify potential vendors and inform acquisition strategy.
The narrative description of products or services to be supplied under the contract. Defines the scope.
The dollar ceiling below which agencies may use streamlined procedures, generally $250,000; acquisitions between the micro-purchase threshold and the SAT are reserved for small business.
A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans, eligible for set-aside and sole-source awards.
Section L gives instructions to offerors (how to format and submit); Section M states the evaluation factors used to select the awardee.
An order for services placed against an established IDIQ contract or BPA. Defines specific work, period, and price.
The assessment of an offeror's technical proposal against the evaluation factors and subfactors in Section M.
An arrangement where a prime and one or more subcontractors agree to pursue a specific opportunity together, or two firms form a joint venture to submit one offer.
A contract type paying fixed hourly labor rates plus materials at cost. Used when work extent can't be estimated at award; it requires government surveillance.
The standard Sections A–M structure of a negotiated solicitation and contract, from the cover through instructions (L) and evaluation factors (M).
The 12-character alphanumeric ID that identifies an entity in SAM.gov. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 and is assigned during SAM registration.
A small business at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women. Eligible for WOSB set-aside contracts.