i.  Timing and Complexity

Comment: One respondent stated that the purpose for the GSA Federal Supply Schedule is to provide the Government an expedited means to procure commercial supplies and services at the substantially lower costs associated with volume buying. Therefore, expanding the DoD memos to DFARS subpart 208.4 (as well as DFARS parts 212, 213, and 216), "eviscerates their intention" and will overload the acquisition process.

Another respondent provided an example of an agency that frequently posts RFQs using the GSA eBuy tool for fewer than 30 days. The RFQs are available to all vendors on the relevant GSA schedule. Although multiple responses are generally received, occasionally there is only one quote received. According to this respondent, lengthening the RFQ response time to 30 days would impede the goal of simplifying and streamlining the procurement process.

Response: DoD recognizes that the Federal Supply Schedule program directed and managed by GSA provides a simplified and flexible process for obtaining commercial supplies and services. The schedule program, because it does not require contracting officers to seek competition outside of the schedule holders or to synopsize the requirement, can be very efficient. DoD also believes that effective competition promotes greater efficiency and productivity in defense spending, and that DoD needs to do more to promote competition when only one offer is received in response to a competitive solicitation. The final rule requires, when only one offer is received in response to a competitive solicitation, that the contracting officer promote competition by trying to revise the requirements document and by permitting more time for receipt of offers. In addition, the final rule does not eliminate the efficiencies or flexibilities inherent in FAR part 8 transactions.

RFQs using the GSA eBuy tool are frequently posted for less than 30 days and generally receive more than one response. The final rule still permits requests for quotation to be solicited for fewer than 30 days, and only requires a resolicitation for 30 days (or a waiver) in those cases when only one offer was received. Market research can provide contracting officers the insight required to determine the solicitation response time required to ensure effective competition without needlessly lengthening the RFQ response time to 30 days. In many cases, market research will indicate that multiple offers will be received in response to an RFQ open for under 30 days. In other cases, market research will indicate that contracting officers need to keep RFQs open for 30 days to encourage effective competition. Finally, market research will indicate that additional time will likely not result in additional offers, and provide contracting officers with the rationale to support a waiver of the resolicitation requirement.