3.  Timing.

As prescribed in FAR 7.104, acquisition planning should take place and the AP should be developed and submitted to the approving official as soon as the requirement is identified and preferably in advance of preparation of the purchase request unless the acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 6.302-2, unusual and compelling urgency.  Nevertheless, the AP approval authority is responsible for facilitating release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) either by approving the AP, or by providing clear separate direction as to release of the RFP, or by clearing the action for the SSA to proceed with release where the SSA is the release authority.