11.302-90 Use of approved sources.

It is the policy of this agency to ensure that DLA acquires only items produced by, or under the direction of, approved sources. It is also agency policy to apprise our suppliers of changes in their approval status by promptly notifying a source, pursuant to FAR 9.207(b), upon its removal from an acquisition identification description (AID); and to actively facilitate approval of these sources (see 11.302-90(a)(1)-(3)).

(a)  Roles of contracting officer and product specialist. The requiring Military Service provides the data to procure the correct item. The product specialist (PS) is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and currency of the technical/quality requirements and for ensuring that only approved sources are identified in the acquisition identification description (AID). (Detailed policy guidance for product specialists is provided in the DLA Technical Support Policy and Procedures Deskbook, which is maintained by the Technical and Quality Policy Division, J-74, and can be accessed electronically at https://today.dla.mil/J-3/J-334/ESTS-techsuppdeskbook.htm.) Contracting officers are responsible for performing all necessary actions for effective contracting. They must ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and procedures; safeguard Government interests; request and consider advice of appropriate specialists (audit, law, engineering, etc.); and exercise business judgment (see FAR 1.602-2). Contracting officers have a responsibility to ensure that the selected source has the intent and capability to provide the item in compliance with the terms of the contract, including the item description; and they have broad latitude to carry out their duties. However, the contracting officer is not authorized to determine what sources should be approved and cited in the AID. Contracting officers must follow the guidance at 11.302-90(c) to determine when pre-award referral to the PS is required to ensure that a prospective contractor is technically acceptable.