13.301 Governmentwide commercial purchase card
Source: FAR 13.301 on acquisition.gov
The Governmentwide commercial purchase card streamlines purchasing and payment processes for authorized government acquisitions, and agencies must establish compliant procedures to maximize its use beyond micro-purchases.
Overview
FAR 13.301 authorizes the use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card (GCPC) for making and paying for purchases of supplies, services, or construction, provided such purchases are otherwise authorized by law or regulation. The card can be used by contracting officers and other designated individuals. Agencies must establish procedures for card use and control that comply with the Treasury Financial Manual and the GSA credit card contract. The regulation encourages agencies not to restrict card use to micro-purchases, but to also use it for larger purchases, including placing orders and making payments under contracts and agreements, when authorized and agreed upon by the contractor. The card may be used for micro-purchases, placing task or delivery orders (if authorized), and making payments when the contractor accepts card payments, with certain exceptions noted in FAR 32.1108(b)(2).
(a) Except as provided in 32.1108(b)(2), the Governmentwide commercial purchase card is authorized for use in making and/or paying for purchases of supplies, services, or construction. The Governmentwide commercial purchase card may be used by contracting officers and other individuals designated in accordance with 1.603-3. The card may be used only for purchases that are otherwise authorized by law or regulation.
(b) Agencies using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card shall establish procedures for use and control of the card that comply with the Treasury Financial Manual for Guidance of Departments and Agencies (TFM 4-4500) and that are consistent with the terms and conditions of the current GSA credit card contract. Agency procedures should not limit the use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card to micro-purchases. Agency procedures should encourage use of the card in greater dollar amounts by contracting officers to place orders and to pay for purchases against contracts established under part 8 procedures, when authorized; and to place orders and/or make payment under other contractual instruments, when agreed to by the contractor. See 32.1110(d) for instructions for use of the appropriate clause when payment under a written contract will be made through use of the card.
(c) The Governmentwide commercial purchase card may be used to-
(1) Make micro-purchases;
(2) Place a task or delivery order (if authorized in the basic contract, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchase agreement); or
(3) Make payments, when the contractor agrees to accept payment by the card (but see 32.1108(b)(2)).