Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAPs) provide techniques designed to streamline the contracting process and, thus, reduce the turnaround time and administrative burden. They apply to lower dollar value (generally below $100K) procurements; which comprise the vast majority of government Acquisitions.
SAP does not exclude competition; but does permit simplified evaluation & award procedures. It allows informal quoting and competition procedures, encourages accepting oral quotes vice written quotations, prefers comparing quoted prices vice conducting negotiations, and provides streamlined clauses to support the award document. Here are some rules from the FAR:
- Solicitations must be publicized either by using FACNET, Government wide point of entry (GPE), or by soliciting from sources within the local trade area
- Quotations must not be solicited based on personal preference
- Solicitations must not be restricted to suppliers of well-known and widely distributed makes or brands
- The contracting officer should consider solicitation of at least three sources and request offers from two sources not included in the previous solicitation
The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (FARA) have provided changes to what has become known as “simplified acquisitions” and the “simplified acquisition threshold” (SAT) of $100K. Specifically they:
- Create a sub-category referred to a micro-purchases (purchases under $2,5K),
- Create a small business reservation which requires the contracting officer to restrict solicitations exclusively to small businesses on actions between $2,500 and $100K,
- Allow for options and “best value” criteria in source selection.
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