Overview
FAR 42.502 outlines the mandatory criteria a contracting officer must evaluate to determine if a postaward orientation is necessary and to decide the appropriate format for that orientation. The section emphasizes a risk-based approach to ensure both the government and the contractor possess a clear, mutual understanding of complex contract requirements.
Key Rules
The contracting officer must, at a minimum, consider the following factors:
- Contractual Context: The nature of preaward surveys, prior discussions, and the specific type, value, and complexity of the contract.
- Product/Service Factors: The acquisition history, complexity of the item, requirements for spare parts, and the length of the production cycle.
- Performance & Risk: The urgency of the delivery schedule, the contractor’s past performance history, and safety requirements involving hazardous materials or operations.
- Contractor Profile: The contractor's experience, their socio-economic status (e.g., Small Business, HUBZone, SDVOSB), and their history of complying with small business subcontracting programs.
- Financial & Operational Oversight: The extent of planned subcontracting and the presence of complex financing arrangements like progress or advance payments.
Practical Implications
- Risk Mitigation: This section prevents a "one-size-fits-all" approach by requiring the contracting officer to scale the orientation to the specific risks of the procurement, such as technical complexity or financial exposure.
- Relationship Management: It serves as a tool for proactive communication, particularly for new contractors or those handling critical programs, to ensure a "meeting of the minds" before performance begins.