Small Business Direct Task Order Placement for Fast Project Launch
IDG is a prime holder of the Public Financial Management IDIQ through a small business set-aside award. In accordance with the authority granted in the Appropriations Act used the fund the award of this basic contract, USAID may directly place task orders with IDG without requiring a competition among all PFM holders. Direct placement of a task order to IDG can allow USAID to rapidly launch time-sensitive projects in a fraction of the time that a full competition takes. USAID can use this process either to directly place task orders to IDG without any further competition, or to place a task order competed only among the IDQ small business holders.
The following language from the PFM framework contract governs how this process works:
(a) If required, the TOCOR submits the scope of work to the IDIQ COR for review to determine if their requirement falls within the IDIQ scope of work.
(b) The IDIQ COR provides corporate capability information for the small businesses to the TOCOR.
(c) The TOCOR reviews the corporate capability information and provides a brief, written recommendation (not a justification) to the TOCOR on which contractor he/she recommends for an award. No need to go to the next steps below.
(d) If corporate capability is equal, the TOCOR will need to follow the established RFTOP procedures below regardless of dollar value.
You may use this exception in lieu of either following the competitive 'fair opportunity' process to issue a Task Order or using one of the exceptions to the 'fair opportunity' process in FAR 16.505, if applicable."
USAID may procure services through this process without any special justification, for projects of any size. Directly placing Task Orders to a small business has many advantages for Contract Officers and for Contract Officer Technical Representatives:
- Accessing IDG and directly placing a Task Order is fast and easy.
- Contract Officer Representatives and Contract Officers are permitted to procure services through this mechanism without any special justification, for projects of any size.
- Direct placement of work to small businesses helps USAID to meet the Agency's policy objectives of allocating a fair share of work to small businesses.
- Such placement enables USAID to build its portfolio of qualified smaller companies which will ultimately graduate from the set aside program and compete against larger forms, enhancing competitive options for USAID.
- Because the IDIQ already was awarded, the main due diligence on contractors already has been performed, and fair and competitive prices also are assured through the earlier competition.
- Also, because the IDIQ framework contract already is in place, and because no further competitive procurement process is needed in order to directly place a Task Order, this approach can be put into place rapidly and through a less expensive process for USAID/W and missions, without any excessive demands on Contract Officer resources.
- Companies selected for direct placement will be able to focus scarce resources entirely on task development and not divert assets in preparing another competitive bid.
- In sum, direct placement of Task Orders under the PFM IDIQ and other IDIQ's is an effective means for USAID to quickly tap IDG's high quality technical assistance.