Overview
FAR Subpart 5.6 establishes the requirement for a centralized, searchable Governmentwide database of contracts and procurement instruments designed for use by multiple agencies. Its primary purpose is to provide a transparency tool that allows federal agencies to identify and leverage existing contract vehicles, thereby reducing procurement duplication and streamlining the acquisition process.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Reporting: Contracting activities must enter information for any procurement instrument intended for use by multiple agencies into the Governmentwide database.
- Applicable Vehicles: The reporting requirement applies to:
- Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).
- Multi-agency contracts.
- Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts.
- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) issued under Federal Supply Schedules.
- Any other procurement instrument intended for multi-agency use.
- Strict Reporting Timeline: Information must be entered into the database within ten (10) days of the contract award.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Activity: Responsible for the timely and accurate entry of contract data into the Governmentwide database following the specific instructions provided on the website.
- Contracting Officers/Acquisition Personnel: Encouraged to use the database as a market research tool to identify existing vehicles that can fulfill their agency’s requirements before initiating a new solicitation.
Practical Implications
- Market Research Efficiency: This subpart facilitates "Category Management" by allowing agencies to see what vehicles already exist. Instead of spending months on a new solicitation, a Contracting Officer can use this database to find an existing GWAC or MAC, potentially saving the government significant time and administrative costs.
- Compliance Checklist: For agencies awarding multi-agency vehicles, the 10-day reporting window is a critical post-award compliance step. Failure to register the vehicle limits its visibility and utility to other agencies, defeating the purpose of a multi-agency instrument.
- Reduction of Contract Duplication: By publicizing these contracts, the FAR aims to prevent "contract proliferation," where multiple agencies award similar contracts for the same services or supplies, which dilutes the government's buying power.